National Powerlifting Champion Over the Age of 60

It's never too late to pursue your dreams and I know because last October I became a National Powerlifting Champion over the age of 60.  I compete as a Masters III in the 105kg class in an organization called USA Powerlifting (USAPL).

USAPL is the leading powerlifting organization in the United States. USAPL is a member of the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF), the governing body of powerlifting internationally. The IPF is comprised of member federations from eighty-three countries on six continents.
Distinct from weightlifting, a sport made up of two lifts: the Snatch and the Clean-and-Jerk, where the weight is lifted above the head, powerlifting comprises three lifts: the Squat, Bench Press and Deadlift. Powerlifting competitions may be comprised of one, two or all three of the lifting disciplines.

As I mentioned above I compete as a Masters III, which is ages 60 - 69 in the 105Kg class (231 lbs).  Last October I competed in the 2018 USAPL Raw Nationals and won my class with a squat of 445 lbs, a bench press of 308 lbs, and a deadlift of 513 lbs for a grand total of 1266 lbs.  More excitingly, my win gave me a place on the USA Team to compete internationally at the IPF World Classic competition this June in Sweden.

I could not imagine two years ago when I entered my first powerlifting competition that I would be a national champion representing my country in Sweden in a international event at the age of 60.  I plan to bring back a World Championship because it's never too late to make my dreams come true.

Here's a video of my final deadlift that gave me the National Championship:

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Age Can't Stop You

Don't let age keep you from living life to the fullest.  I'm 60 and I hold the North Carolina Masters Over 60 Powerlifting Record.  Your body is designed to be healthy and strong all your life, and with proper exercise and nutrition it will.

Starting My 9 Week Cycle

Who says you get weaker with age? I turn 60 in three months and I'm stronger than I was in my 20s.  I'm getting ready to compete in USAPL Raw Nationals powerlifting competition this October.  Benched 350lbs today for two reps.

Resistance Weight Training is the Fountain of Youth

I’m not exactly sure who coined the phrase “fountain of youth”, but he or she may have very well been referring to the benefits associated with resistance weight training. Resistance weight training has a host of positive effects for the aging individual. The numerous studies conducted to evaluate the effects of weight training in the aging have shown weight training to be extremely beneficial to individuals well into their 90’s. One such study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, involved 100 frail men and women in their 80’s and 90’s, all of whom had generalized arthritis, some degree of heart disease, and at least one chronic illness. After 10 weeks of weight training the mean strength increase of this group was near 120%. This and other studies have dissipated the belief that age may preclude one from lifting weights and has brought to our attention the importance of weight training for all ages, especially those over 40.  See more...

Competed In My First Powerlifting Competition

I just competed in my first powerlifting competition last Saturday, the 2016 USA North Carolina Powerlifting Championships.  It was a really big show with over 100 of the state's best lifters competing.  When I checked-in and I saw all those competitors, I thought to myself "wow I maybe in over my head!"

The hardest thing about the competition was learning all the rules to each lift.  There are three lifts you have to complete in the competition; a squat, a bench press, and a deadlift.  Every competitor gets three attemps for each lift and your best score of the three lifts is used as a part of your overall total score.  The competitor with the highest overall score of the three lifts wins.  Simple enough?  However, there's a strategy as I learned involved as to how much weight you pick for each of the three attempts.

There are three judges who decides whether or not you perform each lift properly, and you want to choose a weight for your initial lift that's not too easy, but you're sure you complete.  Then on your next lift  attempt you want to increase your weight to where you are nearly at your limit, and on your last attempt you want to go all out.

On my very first attempt I failed to complete my lift properly which meant I couldn't use that score, and as a consequence, I was immediately behind the eight ball, so to speak.  I knew I needed a score in that lift so I did my second and third attempts at a weight that I was sure I could complete properly.  The good news is I made my mistake early and the rest of the competition was smooth sailing.

My best lifts were: a 353 lb squat, a 303 lb bench press, and a 452 lb deadlift for a grand total of 1108 lbs.  Not bad considering it was my first powerlifting competition and I had only nine weeks to train for it.  One of the funniest things about the day was that I was mistakenly put in the 40 to 49 nine year old class and I held my own (maybe I still look that young, least I can hope so).  Well. I've got the bug now an this won't be my last show!

3 Days Until the Big Powerlifting Event

Okay, it's only 3 days until I compete in my first powerlifting competition and I'm a little nervous.  Just had my last workout before the event this Saturday and I'm feeling pretty confident that I will do well.  Although, I have to admit that I have to check my sanity each day after my workouts when I'm so stiff and sore that I can hardly move.  It's been a challenge to say the least. But overcoming adversity is the greatest  impetus for growth and that's the main reason I'm competing.

You see, I'm in my late 50s and I've been in the health and fitness industry for over 20 years.  It's easy to get comfortable and settle into a rut after so many years of doing the same thing.  Training for this upcoming powerlifting competition has not only invigorated my personal exercise program, it has also rejuvenated the programs I do with my clients.  So, even if I don't place in the competition the growth in my personal and professional life as a result of the training has been well worth the stiff and sore days.

Here are my best lifts numbers going into Saturday. A 455 lb squat, a 480 lb deadlift, and a 305 lb bench press, not bad considering I started training for this meet just 9 weeks ago.  Below is a video of my best deadlift.  Wish me luck.

480 lb Deadlift at 57

 

Who says your strength declines with age?

Six Weeks Until My Competition, My Passion is Back!

   As of this Saturday it's six weeks until my powerlifting competition!  I have to admit that I'm a little nervous and I've been asking myself why am I doing this?  The answer is to challenge myself to be better and to inspire others to challenge themselves.

It's the challenges in life that get us out of the ruts of routine living.  After 3 weeks of training on a new program at a higher intensity, I realize that I have been in a rut with my exercise routine.  I have been working out on a regular basis but, I had lost the passion of pushing my mind and my body to another level.  Isn't that just like life?  You don't realize you've lost your passion for living until something forces you out of your daily routine.

I'm pretty pleased with my progress up to this point.  My maximum lifts so far are: a 305 lb bench press, a 425 lb deadlift, and a 455 lb squat.  Quite a ways away from the what it takes to win my class, but I'm excited about pushing myself to new levels, and I'm so happy I decided to do this powerlifting meet.  The true lesson in this is not about whether or not I win my class, it's about competing with myself to do my very best.  Now I realize that I am the toughest competitor that I will ever compete against in anything that I do.

Powerlifting at 57, I've Selected a Competition

After deciding to do a powerlifting competition, I've done a lot of research this past week on different organizations and the meet I want to compete in.  I found an organization called USA Powerlifting that caters to natural lifters (competitors who don't use anabolic steriods, growth hormones, and other performance enhancing drugs).  After reading the USA Powerlifting Organization's rules and guidelines I feel good that's I've selected an association in which the competition will be fair.  There's nothing more dis-heartening than competing against someone who uses performance enhancing drugs.

Good news is I've found a good organization in which to compete, not so good, is the the meet is in 8 weeks and it's The North Carolina State Powerlifting Championships (not the small local show in which  I wanted get my feet wet).  However, I've always believed that if you are going to do something, you may as well do it big, thus, I'm jumping into this competition with both feet!  So, this morning I signed-up to become a member of the USA Powerlifting Association and registered to compete in the meet. The competition is Saturday, June 6th in Apex, North Carolina.

Now I'm off to find a good coach and a good powerlifting program!  I will keep you updated on my progress.  Thanks for following me.

PS, someone overheard me talking about competing in a powerlifting meet and they asked me why I wanted to do such a thing being that I'm in my late 50s?  To which my reply was, that I want to be an inspiration to people and show them that they are never too old to dream and accomplish great things.

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My First Powerlifting Competition at the Age of 57

I've written many posts about inspirational people over the age of 50 and now I'm trying to become one.  I plan to compete in my first powerlifting competition at the age of 57.  Although I've competed in many bodybuilding competitions, powerlifting is a whole new venue for me.  I'm excited and nervous at the same time.

Powerlifting is a sport that involves the following three lifts;  bench press, deadlift, and squat.  You do each lift with as much weight as possible and the combination of all three lifts is totaled for your overall score.  The person with the highest total weight of the three lifts is the winner. 

The competition is broken-up by age group, and weight class, to give every competitor an even playing field.  I will be competing in the Masters 55-59 age group in the 100 kg (220 lb) weight class.  Being as competitive as I am I have already researched the State Record for my age and weight class and it's pretty hefty; a 347 lb bench press, a 545 lb squat, and a 524 lb deadlift  for a grand total of 1416 lbs!  However, that doesn't frighten me because my goal is to set a new State Record.  I will keep you informed of my progress and the date of the competition.  Wish me luck!