Are you a Powerlifter ?

What is it that makes you a powerlifter ? is it being strong? is it training the power lifts as part of your overall training routine ? Is powerlifting focussing on the big thee in training Squat, Bench Press and Deadlift or do you have to compete to call yourself a Powerlifter ?

It is a common occurrence at the gym to be asked “what are you training for?” by men, unfamiliar with female lifters, these same men often go on to tell you how they used to be “Powerlifters”, however after a few questions the usual result is that they are not actually powerlifters at all but simply gym goers who happen to do some of the power lifts. So what is a powerlifter ?

A powerlifter is somebody who competes in the sport of powerlifting,  just like a weight lifter is a person who competes in the sport of weightlifting (the one you see at the Olympics) and a footballer is someone who competes as part of a team in the sport of football.  Just training the skills to play football does not make you a footballer, in the same way only training the skills of a powerlifter does not make you a powerlifter.

“A Powerlifter is Somebody who competes in the sport of Powerlifting”

Crossfit is also another culprit when it comes to claiming to be powerlifters, just because you may have trained the power lifts at your local box, and you may even have competed in crossfit competitions using those skills, it does not make you a Powerlifter, it makes you a crossfit athlete ! There are many athletes who strength train to augment their physical capacity for their sport, but it doesn’t mean they are powerlifting.

Can training for powerlifting help you improve strength for your primary sport ? yes but it does not make you a powerlifter until you step up onto that platform in front of 3 judges to compete.

If you are in Gympie, Cooloola or Rainbow Beach and would like to make the step up to competing in the sport of Powerlifting contact me here or at Gympie City Gym.