Yes, Westside is an impressive, hardcore place. I've been there a few times, unfortunately not strong enough (or crazy enough) to train there regularly. Louie is a pretty nice guy, definitely knows his stuff, and is more than happy to talk on the phone if you ever run into things you're unsure about.
You've got it right for the lifts, at least for us beginners. The more experienced guys may have a different take on it. That opener still might be a bit tricky for those of us new to gear, as a misgroove is going to be difficult no matter the weight, and you still need to use fairly heavy weight in order to touch in a bench shirt or get depth in a squat suit.
For you first meet, I wouldn't put a lot of thought into it. Find something that meets the rules you like, allows the gear you want to use, and is a date that you can work towards. Don't worry so much about the competition for your first one.






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