Resting period before a big A.W competition.

["VENGEANCE" -David Rivera-]

Getting pullers opionions on this, I have a few questions about the Resting period before a competition.

1.) How many days or weeks do you rest after your weight training / A.W training before a big arm wrestling competition?

2.) What do you do right before the competition? Band work outs, stretches, light grippers, or nothing at all.

Also what does your backpack of supply's contain.
Any must have supplements, medicines, or stuff like biofreeze / tigerbalm on the day of competition?

[John Milne]

I like 10-14 days off the table. I may practice at about 10-20% effort if I'm feeling very healthy but for sure absolutely nothing under the 7 day mark. I'd rather come in feeling very loose and without any pain, stiffness, soreness etc.

As for weights, I don't lift anything heavy for the same time period or perhaps even more. It will depend on how my arm feels but it's usually just light to moderate lifting, pretty much just for bloodflow.

I like the small energy shot drinks (5 hour jobbies) sometimes. I make sure to have lots of water as well. I'll put advil in my bag just in case but I rarely use it.

[Robin the manhandler Chandler]

Like john said i do nothing with my arm for atleast 7 days but 14u is the best i drink lots of water and sit n relax no worm ups either they waist energy i ware my tenden wormer with lots od ice heat to keep my tendens and muscles relaxed and ready to go

[Josh McEllrath]

8 days off before a tournament, from all training. Depending on what class I'm getting into weight wise, I will cut out drinking until the night before. 3 beers the night before for three reasons: 1) I am probably in some crappy hotel and don't sleep well away from my own bed. 2) A little bit of alcohol in your bloodstream acts like a blood thinner, keeping the blood flowing easily. I learned this as a power lifter. Before somebody with medical background posts that according to research this doesn't help at all, I will give you the pre-emptive "shut up stupid" you were secretly hoping for. Its my routine. 3) I like beers.

I like to warm up the elbows really well on the table and get the blood pumping. I usually bring some sort of snack like a pbj sandwich to eat midway through the tournament, you forget to eat and performance suffers. Sometime after tournament I will go find some ice to put on my elbows whether I need it or not. Prehab baby.

[Gabe Moore]

Biceps, grip, wrists & forearm are completely left alone 3-4 days out. Usually, I'll hit 2-3 heavy sets of hammer curls 4-5 days out, along with 1 neutral static pullup hold, just for mental purposes...not sure if it helps.
I usually continue to hit all other body parts; legs, chest, shoulders, etc.
The day before usually consists of lots of water and complex carbs.

During the competition, it's usually a caffeinated drink, along with a snack or two.
Light grippers, body weight squats and pushups have always helped me warm up.
A time or two on the table to loosen up the wrist/forearm and bi's...

I'm not a high level competitor(yet), so take it for what it's worth.

[Bart Wood]

I think John is right on the money.

[Robert Miller]

I second what John said. Right on the money $$!! No pulling for 2-weeks approximately... light weights the week of jus to keep the blood flowing.. light warm-up prior to pulling... plenty of coffee also prior & sports drinks during. Armwarmer on my opposite arm also till time to pull!

[Robert Bishop]

for me

i like my last arm workout/weights
to be 7 days before and table 14 days before

i do about half the sets and i dont use max weights for arms
i wont do any other lifts within 3days

i dont like to warm up on the table before
and i avoid any drink that will cause a pump, and take magnesium, calcium, and pottasium to prevent cramping. I will have extra of these along with a protien shake available with me in case i need them

thats just me

[Herman Stevens]

I usually train right up to the tournament including hand and side pressure. I try to limit deadlifting for a week or two. I usually focus on explosive training leading up to the tournaments.

However, I view the tournaments I go to as just a practice. Nationals or money tournaments is when it matters.

[Robin the manhandler Chandler]

I to take magnesium helps for my recovery aswell

[Deleted]

My best tourney I lifted hard up til 7 days out then lightened about 1/2 - 3/4 up till the day of. I liked having the pump feeling, went to a handful with taking a week off of weights prior to and felt ultra weak.

Off the table a couple weeks prior though is a good idea.

[Chris Hood]

I do nothin but table time. No weights or bands. Just table but thats just me Im lazy and not motivated like I used to be. Hopefullly one day Ill get that fire back.

[Bull Dog Madore]

This is a great thread! I always ask the vets this exact question and get varying feedback. What's consistent is 2wks off the table it seems. And about a week off or reduced weight trainings. Sounds about what I do now so glad I came across this!

["VENGEANCE" -David Rivera-]

Yep same with me Andy, i like hitting the weights hard and rest for about a week.
I take recovery supplements, eat and rest lots so i heal within 3-4 days and feel good.
But a week will do just fine before a tournament.