Introduction

Powerlifting is a test of pure, unadulterated, brute strength. Distinct from the sport of
Weightlifting - a technical event made up of two lifts, the Snatch and the Clean-and-Jerk where the weight is lifted above the head, Powerlifting comprises of three lifts :

The Squat: The first, and by far the biggest, of the three lifts. Standing upright with the barbell resting across the back of the shoulders, the lifter sits or 'squats' down to a required depth and then attempts to stand up again, returning to the original position. This may sound simple ..... but not when the barbell concerned can weigh 3-4 times your bodyweight!

The Bench Press : Probably the most famous and best-loved exercise practised by millions of people in gyms throughout the world, the Bench Press is the second lift in competition. Lying flat on their back on a bench of a certain height and specification, the lifter holds the barbell at arms length above the chest. The bar is then lowered until it stops on the chest and then pushed or 'pressed' back up again.

The Dead Lift : As the name suggests, this involves lifting a 'dead' weight and is the final lift of the 'Big 3'. Gripping the barbell, which sits flat on the floor, the lifter attempts to lift the weight until they are standing upright with their shoulders back. The list must be executed in one continuous motion.

In a Powerlifting competition, athletes are categorised by sex, age and bodyweight. Each competitor is allowed three attempts at each lift, the best lift in each discipline being added to their total. The lifter with the highest total is the winner. In cases where two or more lifters achieve the same total, the person with the lightest bodyweight wins.

(Click on the white links above if you want more detailed information on each lift)

As in most sports, Regional, National and International Championships provide the setting for athletes to compete against each other, with all the associated glory and recognition that one might expect, but Powerlifting is essentially an individualistic sport where self-improvement is the greatest motivating factor. It was this factor that changed my life.

I hope you will find the information on my website interesting. It tells the story of how I became involved in Powerlifting, and hopefully it may give you the inspiration to find out more about the sport that played such an important part in my life for over 12 years.