The logic of three attempts
Your opener has to go even on a bad day: a weight you could triple, around 90 % of your max. The second secures the total, around 95 %. The third goes for the PR or the day's max.
A conservative strategy suits first meets or lifters who need a total above all; an aggressive one makes sense after an excellent prep and fast first attempts.
Adjusting on the day
Calculated attempts are a starting plan. Bar speed on the opener and perceived effort (RPE) drive the adjustments: a very fast second justifies a bolder third.
With CoachForce, coaches build this plan from the athlete's real e1RMs and follow it live on meet day.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pick my powerlifting opener?
A weight you have recently done for at least a triple, about 88-92 % of your max. A well-chosen opener rarely misses, and bombing out ends your total.
How big a jump from second to third?
Usually 2.5 to 7.5 kg depending on the lift and how fast the second moved. Less on bench, more on deadlift.
Why are attempts rounded to 2.5 kg?
It is the minimum increment at meets (except record attempts, which can go in 0.5 kg steps).
Does it account for bodyweight?
For the score, yes: projected DOTS and IPF GL use the bodyweight you enter.
What should my opener be?
A weight you can make even on a bad day, often around 90 % of your current max, the equivalent of an easy triple in training.
How much should I add between second and third attempts?
Often 2.5 to 5 %: the second attempt targets a near-PR, the third depends on how fast the second moved.
How do I prepare for my first powerlifting meet?
Pick conservative attempts to go 9 for 9, practise the referee commands and check your weight class. A completed total beats a missed PR.