Topic: WHO HERE IS A FORMER POWERLIFTER?

[Jake Harrison]

discuss.

[GabrielNagy]

Im not a competitive lifter, but I started train weightlifting after 2-3 years of pwl training.

[Matt Foreman]

I was a powerlifter for two years before I started competing in OL.  I won a high school national championship when I was a junior (1989)and really enjoyed the sport.  I obviously loved OL more, and one of the main reasons was the equipment controversy in PL.  Back when I powerlifted (late 80s), the supportive gear wasn't anywhere close to what it is now.  But there were still squat suits and bench shirts, and I knew they added phony pounds to your lifts.  I don't think I ever got more than 15-20 lbs. out of a shirt or suit because I didn't buy top-line stuff and I didn't like it too tight, but even back then it was possible to get 60 lbs. out of a shirt if it was tight enough.  Now, PL has become a joke because of bench shirts that add 250 lbs. to your bench and squat suit/knee wrap/monolift/loose depth judging that allows guys to have 1100 pound squats with 625 deadlifts.  I still love the sport of PL in its true form, but it's been corrupted pretty severely.

[Paul LeDrew]

I was a powerlifter before I started Weightlifting and I must say Idid have fun with it.

Meet PRs:
501 squat [227.5 Kg]
320 bench [145g]
452 DL [205Kg]
all @ 82.5Kg

Gym PRs:
490Squat
345 bench
495DL

again, 82.5

[Bull Ternus]

Matt,

You couldn't possibly be more right!  I was a powerlifter for 21 years before finally coming over to Olympic lifting...MAN did I wait too late!  The gear thing is completely out of control...I'm still very fond of the ADFPA/USAPL guys, and I was fortunate to train with the mighty Gene Bell for a time, but as pathetic an Olympic lifter as I am I do feel more like an "athlete".

BULL

[GabrielNagy]

I agree with you Matt.
I dont think that equipment helped for pwl. On the other hand, some people generate money from that business.