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Tom Mutaffis
12-07-2007, 06:21 AM
With a number of new competitors on here and a few contests coming up over the next weekend figured it would be valuable for everyone to share what they generally bring with them to a contest.

I have found that when I am prepared it always makes things easier and makes competing a better experience...

Here are some things that I like to have with me:

- As much of my training / support equipment as possible.
-Belt, straps, wraps, elbow and knee sleeves, chalk, atheltic tape
- Tacky, baby oil / gojo and an old shirt for removal.
- Few pairs of shoes depending on the events
- Jump stretch band to use for warmups.
- Clothing for various types of weather including a couple t-shirts.
- Food and drinks (one of the most important)
- At least 2 carbo force drinks
- Couple bottles of gatorade or powerade
- Some water
- An isopure shake
- Bannanas, protein bars, peanuts to snack on
- Pringles (or other high salt food to help with water retention)
- Folding chair if you have one so your guaranteed a seat.

Try to travel in flip flops and something comfortable, listen to some good music but nothing crazy. Then when I show up and get into my competition gear is when it's time to get fired up.

Preparing this all a night or two in advance helps me to focus and feel ready to compete.

Wondering what some experienced competitors preparation and gym bags look like? I have seen some guys with huge suitcase size hockey bags and other guys just show up with a belt...

Michael Ambrose
12-07-2007, 06:25 AM
add in..

- aspirin
- some sort of muscle salve (tiger balm)
- nose tork/ammonia caps
- baby powder (for shins/quads if deadlifting)

Tom Mutaffis
12-07-2007, 06:51 AM
add in..

- aspirin
- some sort of muscle salve (tiger balm)
- nose tork/ammonia caps
- baby powder (for shins/quads if deadlifting)


Totally forgot about that... Biofreeze saved me at a contest last year when my back tightened up on the first event.

Also super glue, in case you tear a callous in a farmers or deadlift event that is the best way to seal it back up and keep competing.

Brandon Smith
12-07-2007, 06:55 AM
Couple things to add:

Umbrella for shade incase there isn't any
NAS card (if you already have one)
Directions to contest (I know a bunch of us got lost going to the Overcome)

Tom Mutaffis
12-07-2007, 07:40 AM
Couple things to add:

Umbrella for shade incase there isn't any
NAS card (if you already have one)
Directions to contest (I know a bunch of us got lost going to the Overcome)

The promoters phone number is always on the entry form and a good thing to bring along if you get lost...

Brandon Smith
12-07-2007, 07:44 AM
The promoters phone number is always on the entry form and a good thing to bring along if you get lost...

Good point Tom. This was the case where the town had changed the name of a street recently, so a bunch of us missed it and had to stop and ask someone. Quick fix thankfully. I know the guy I asked was like "Oh yeah, they changed that...don't know why...but they did"

WesleyInman
12-07-2007, 01:06 PM
Great Information!!!! Wish I had this before my first contest when I showed up with only a bottle of water :) LOL

Brandon Smith
12-07-2007, 01:11 PM
Great Information!!!! Wish I had this before my first contest when I showed up with only a bottle of water :) LOL

Hey, give yourself some credit. You brought a bottle of water AND a belt to your second contest! :KD: