Making of a Powerlifter: Strength Training is a Lifestyle

Strength training is my passion. I've admired strength as long as I can remember, since I was a kid growing up on a northern Minnesota dairy farm. It may sound cliché, but Superman was always my favorite super-hero.

When I was 18, I began lifting weights at the base gym at Lackland Air Force Base just after joining the Air Force. I knew nothing about weightlifting, and used the universal machine there until I could bench press the entire weight stack before venturing into the free weight area. I knew nothing about training legs until training for a couple sessions with a local body builder at Langley Air Force Base. I couldn't walk for days. I loved it!

I found my home when the local powerlifting team at Ramstein Air Base drew me in, and got me hooked. There is nothing like the rush you get from completing a difficult lift on the platform with the competition on the line. Powerlifting has given my training focus. I had never seen the gains in either strength or muscle mass until I began training for powerlifting competitions.

I've been strength training for 20 years, and have trained under some very high caliber lifters. My goal is to share what I've learned. Strength athletes shouldn't have to learn by trial and error (and more error) as I did. I hope you can benefit from my experiences, and find the articles below helpful!

Powerlifting Accomplishments:

I'll be the first to admit that there will always be someone out there who is stronger, faster or smarter than you are. That being said, I've been fairly successful at hitting goals I set for myself, although my first strength goal took me 10 years to attain. Some of my accomplishments as a drug-free powerlifter include:

• Current Washington State Bench Press Record
• United States Forces - Europe Powerlifting Champion, 1998
• Washington State Powerlifting Champion, 2006, 2007, 2008
• USA Powerlifting National Championships, 2007 5th Place, 2008 3d Place

Powerlifting Articles:

• Powerlifting Basics: An Introduction to Powerlifting
• Powerlifting Basics: The Powerlifting Squat
• Powerlifting Basics: The Bench Press
• Powerlifting Basics: Tips to Increase Your Bench Press
• Powerlifting Bench Press: Arching Your Back to Increase your Bench Press
• Powerlifting Basics: The Deadlift
• Powerlifting Basics: Powerlifting Competition Experiences
• Powerlifting Basics: Bombing Out of the Meet

Powerlifting Videos:

• Powerlifting Squat - Equipped
• Powerlifting Bench Press - 405lbs Raw
• Powerlifting Deadlift - Conventional
• Powerlifting Deadlift - Sumo

Exercise Techniques:

Back Exercises:

• Weightlifting Technique: How to Perform Barbell Rows
• Weightlifting Technique: How to Perform Pull-ups and Chin-ups
• Weightlifting Technique: How to Perform Dumbbell Rows

Bicep Exercises:

• Weightlifting Technique: How to Perform Bicep Curls
• Weightlifting Technique: How to Perform Preacher Curls

Tricep Exercises:

• Weightlifting Technique: How to Perform the Close Grip Bench Press
• Weightlifting Technique: How to Perform Dips
• Weightlifting Technique: How to Perform Skull Crushers
• Weightlifting Technique: How to Perform Tricep Cable Extensions

Chest Exercises

• Weightlifting Technique: How to Perform the Bench Press
• Weightlifting Technique: How to Perform the Incline Bench Press
• Weightlifting Technique: How to Perform the Decline Bench Press
• Weightlifting Technique: How to Perform Push-ups

General Fitness Articles

• Women and Weight Loss: Toning Your Arms