After the first year After the first year of competion, it is assumed that the lifter has mastered the form required to perform the lifts without injury or bombing out. Most coaches suggested a maximum of three meets per year after the first year. Should the competitor be a National level athlete, that would allow one National championship and a world meet, plus one other meet or demonstration if the lifter felt capable and interested. This allows significantly more rest each week, and only one heavy day. Deborah Ferrell lifted in Women's Nationals and Worlds, and Bench Nationals and Worlds the last two years.
Most lifters do higher reps during the off season.
Many do a routine that is similar in structure to their competition cycles, for example, two squat days per week, one deadlift day, two upper body days. Some, however, change their routine entirely, shifting to a routine that is similar in structure to a heavy bodybuilding routine. Most lifters take some time off following a meet. The great Hideaki Inaba, of Japan reported that he doesn't train with weights for three months after the world championships. Other lifters train year round, with no time off.