Making the Most of Competition

Competition is one of the most enjoyable parts of being involved in a sport or athletic concentration; it acts simultaneously as a training motivator, a goal to plan toward, and a great way to see how one stacks up against their peers and themself. Arguably the best part of competition is that it knows no boundaries – age, skill level, etc. – and this makes it accessible to almost anyone willing to put in the work and push themselves to new levels of performance output.

That said, there are a few broad methods for getting the most out of competition. The following parameters can help with everything from initial preparation and organization to training approach and structure.

Check With Loved Ones

Before someone can block out time for training and entry logistics, they should have a conversation with loved ones regarding their upcoming endeavor. Preparing for a competition can take a lot of time and effort, and this means occasionally sacrificing moments otherwise spent with a partner, child, or other immediate member of the family – so it can go a long way to bring them up to speed and consider their part in the process.
However, that fact doesn’t necessarily mean one has to firmly separate loved ones from competition; the best approach is to make family part of the journey, involving them in the training period as much as possible. Whether it’s a marathon or a powerlifting event, competition is so much better with a strong support system.

Take Training Seriously

Regardless of sport or event, training is supposed to have its challenging moments, and on any given day, it will be both tempting and easy to quit. For training to work, it has to matter, and that means taking mental stock early and often. Some athletes achieve this mentality through a strict daily routine, while others might periodically revisit their goals as a spurring force on sluggish days. Whatever shape they take, motivation and vision make up the entire foundation of training; without them, one cannot hope to give their best performance on competition day.

Sign Up

While it may seem simple and unimportant, registering for a competition is a crucial part of the preparation process. Not only does signing up confirm one’s entry (a step that might be easily procrastinated if left on the back burner) – it also makes a fleeting thought a hard reality. Once someone registers for a competition, it’s game on; the broad idea becomes a goal with a deadline, which can be a great motivating force at the beginning of a new training cycle.

Start to Plan Training

Training is only as good as the overarching plan driving it. Specifically, a good training schedule lends balance and purpose to each workout in relation to the broader competition-based goal, so it’s crucial to establish a plan (or already have one in motion) following competition entry. Training should be personalized based on one’s unique goals and fitness level, and broadly speaking, it should provide necessary preparation for whatever those parameters might be.

For instance, I personally like to look back from the day of the event and build my training so I’m working to the present; that way, I can schedule an appropriate taper ahead of the competition and ensure my readiness to perform at peak condition. Having a plan is a great way to uphold accountability, and it’s crucial to future success.

Set Measurable Goals

The goal could be a specific time, weight, or placement – or simply to establish a baseline personal record. Either way, an athlete’s goal should ideally be measurable in some way; you cannot improve what you don’t measure. In some cases, these measurements will depend on the broader athletic community and digital infrastructure housing the competition. Age-graded ranking systems, all-time world rankings, and archived yearly bests are great examples of communal metrics that can be both gratifying and humbling – not to mention helpful in creating future goals and keeping the competitive flame alive.

Spread the Word

Though training can be a solitary endeavor, it helps to go the distance alongside like-minded athletes reaching for similar goals. Today’s social media-driven landscape makes it easy for someone to put their hard work out into the universe, joining conversations that might help them through tough spots and find new motivation via communal hard work. Outlets like Instagram, Youtube, and Twitter continue to simplify this process for a wider range of athletes, and these channels are a great way to apprise people of training accomplishments (and possibly even garner a training partner or two).

Use Tools to Monitor Training

Like social media outlets, digital tools and widgets can help keep training organized and focused. The options, in this sense, are almost limitless, but it helps to find the tools that work best for you and reflect your unique goals and usability expectations. For example, Microsoft Excel is my personal favorite accountability tool. To not fill in a cell with my prescribed weight, time, or distance is painful, and this stays front-of-mind for me during any type of struggle.

Competition can have a profound impact on an athlete’s life, teaching them important life lessons and challenging preconceived notions of their potential. While every training cycle is a little bit different, the above suggestions can help an athlete maximize the time, effort, and expense dedicated to their next step in this journey.

Rich Sadiv is a highly regarded strength coach and athletic trainer from Glen Rock, New Jersey. Throughout his career, Sadiv has distinguished himself as a foremost expert in high-level athletic training, notably helping over 200 prospective NFL players prepare for the combine and ultimately begin a career in the league. He also specializes in training CrossFit athletes, Spartan racers, and young to middle-aged adults interested in various functional fitness endeavors.