Benefits of Powerlifting

Beyond the goal of competitive lifting, even if you never intend to compete, Training the power-lifts has a wide range of benefits.

1. Strength

The three power-lifts strengthen almost all of the muscles in the body. The first of the power-lifts being Squat strengthens all of the muscles of the legs and glutes as well as the lower back abdominal muscles. Bench Press being the second power-lift not only strengthens the chest but also the triceps, shoulders and biceps. In a powerlifting bench press the lower back, quadriceps, glutes and lats are incorporated into the lift to provide stability. Finally the Deadlift primarily targets the lower back but strengthens most of the muscles in the body including legs, glutes, lower back, upper back and abdominal muscles.

2. Fat Loss

The Intensity achieved during a heavy Powerlifting training session burns a vast number of calories in a short time and not only do you get the benefit of the immediate use of calories, you get a metabolic boost which increases the number of calories used over the next 24 hours.

3. Improved Bone Health

Over the past 10 years, nearly two dozen cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have shown a direct and positive relationship between the effects of resistance training and bone density. This is great for those looking to fight the effects of osteoporosis

4. Sports Performance

Powerlifting is an excellent method to increase sports performance for many other sports which require not only strength but explosive strength. Stronger athletes can run faster and jump higher. Research has shown that maximum effort squat strength is related to performance in the vertical jump test. Athletes who scored strongly on the one rep maximum squat test had higher vertical jumps compared to those who didn’t perform as well. It has also been found that the athletes with the highest strength/body mass ratio had the best sprinting times.

5. Improving your 1 rep max improves confidence

Confidence is important in all aspects of life not just sport. The confidence achieve through Powerlifting can carry through into all other aspects of everyday life.