We have a world record holder in powerlifting amongst us.
Herb Strange has been lifting for 60 years and has set both national and world records in bench press for his age group (75-79). No stranger on the fitness floor, you can find Herb training at the club for the World Championships in Las Vegas at the beginning of December. Herb is an inspiration, and is one of a core group of power lifters at Midtown.
So what is powerlifting? Is there a difference between powerlifting and weight training? Personal trainer (and dedicated powerlifter) Dylan Briggs has the answers.
Powerlifting involves lifting weights in three attempts: in a squat, in a bench press, and in a dead lift. Competitors can lift raw or equipped (that is, with or without certain supportive equipment).
It doesn’t really differ from weight training or weight lifting. The differences lie in the way the lifter trains. For example, body builders will focus on more reps, lighter weight, and higher volume, and powerlifters will focus on lower reps, heavier weight, and less volume.
Because each person is a little different and has a different approach to what works in training, Dylan suggests that a newcomer to lifting begins with a 3-day-a-week program focusing on the 3 main lifts.
“As with any sport proper technique is crucial, so make sure you practice and have someone knowledgeable critiquing you on form, hand placement, foot placement, etc. because those things will make the difference between a good lift and a bad lift,” says Dylan.
In October, Dylan along with members Liz Cline and Joyce Lynn competed at the Central States Fall Classic Powerlifting competition. In their respective age groups, both Dylan and Liz set state records whilst Joyce set an American record! Well done, all.
Dylan and Liz - October 2011
Who are these lifters?
Liz is a speech-language pathologist who has been a member at Midtown since it opened, and that’s where she met Herb. She played tennis at Fort Hays State University where she started weight lifting. In the past she has done figure competitions. Now she enjoys cycle classes.
Herb and Joyce at her first competition
Joyce also joined Midtown when it opened the athletic side, where she too met Herb. A year ago she started working with Herb and despite breaking her wrist last winter she was still able to compete and set her record!
“The best thing about any competition like this is that it’s just you and the weight and no one else,” says Dylan. “You either lift it or you fail, plain and simple. When you fail you just dig deeper and train harder to overcome it.”
Have you tried powerlifting? Tell us what you think of it!
