Pro Powerlifters Interviews.

[POWERJIM]

Kenneth Sandvik

Progress Update, March 4th, 2006

At the Finland National Championships in Ylöjärvi, FIN on March 4th, 2006, Kenneth squatted 400kg/881lb, bench pressed 340kg/749lb, deadlift 310kg/683lb and totaled 1050kg/2314lb, placing 3rd overall in the SHW division.

Progress Update, December 5th, 2005 - First place winner of the 2003, 2004 & 2005 IPF Men’s World Bench Press Championships' SHW class

At the IPF World Bench Press Championships in Stockholm, Sweden, on December 5th, Kenneth bench pressed 332.5kg/733lb, missing 340kg/749lb, placing 1st overall in the SHW division.

Progress Update, November 26th, 2005

At the IPF Battle of the Giants in on November 26th, Kenneth squatted 395kg/870lb, bench pressed 332.5kg/733lb, missing 338kg/745lb, deadlifted 300kg/661lb, missing 305kg/672lb and totaled 1027.5kg/2265lb, placing 3rd in the SHW division.

Progress Update, November 13th, 2005

At the IPF Men’s Powerlifting Championships in Miami, Florida, USA on November 13th, Kenneth squatted 397.5kg/876lb, bench pressed 330kg/727lb, missing 337.5kg/744lb, deadlifted 295kg/650lb, missing 300kg/661lb and totaled 1030kg/2270lb, placing 4thin the SHW division.

Progress Update, October 23rd, 2005

At the Finnish Nationals for teams/clubs in Finland on October 22nd, Kenneth squatted 400kg/881lb, bench pressed 325kg/716lb, deadlifted 300kg/661lb and totaled 1025kg/2259lb. The next day he bench pressed 341kg/751lb and 345kg/760lb, missing 350kg/771lb in the SHW division.

Progress Update, July 16th, 2005

At the SFI (Swedish Speaking) Meet in Finland on July 16th, Kenneth bench pressed 322.5kg/710lb, 330kg/727lb, 335kg/738lb and 340kg/749lb on his fourth attempt in the SHW division.

Progress Update, December 5th, 2004 - First place winner of the 2003 & 2004 IPF Men’s World Bench Press Championships' SHW class

At the IPF World Bench Press Championships in Cleveland, USA on December 1st-5th, Kenneth Bench Pressed 310kg/683lb, 315kg/694lb and 322.5kg/710lb, placing 1st overall and acquiring the IPF Single-Lift World Bench Press Record in the SHW division.

Progress Update, November 14th, 2004

At the IPF Men’s Open Powerlifting World Championships in South Africa, Cape Town on November 9th-14th, 2004 Kenneth Squatted 385kg/848lb, missing 392.5kg/865lb, Bench Pressed 310kg/683lb, missing 315kg/694lb, Deadlifted 290kg/639lb and Totaled 985kg/2171lb, placing 8th overall in the SHW division.

Initial Interview, November 6th, 2004 - First place winner of the 2003 IPF Men’s World Bench Press Championships.

What are your age, bodyweight and occupation?

Age: 29 (born March 5th, 1975

Bwt: around 150 kg (330lbs)

Occupation: Mailman

What are your best lifts?

My PR comp lifts are

Squat 395 kg (870 lbs) at a regional competition Nov 15th, 2003

Bench 325 kg (715 lbs) at a local competition June 5th, 2004

Deadlift 307.5 (677 lbs) at a local competition June 5th, 2004

Total 1022.5 kg (2252 lbs) at a local competition June 5th, 2004

How long have you been lifting and where?

I’ve been training with weights since 1993 but I didn’t start competing until 2001. I have only competed in IPF.

What style of training do you use?

My training style doesn’t include anything strange. No rubber bands, no chains. Just ordinary basic lifts and sometimes a support exercise. I train only 3 times a week and that seems to work out just nicely for me.

What type of equipment do you use and how do you get the most out of it?

I compete and train with Titan shirts, suits and wraps. Since I do a lot of competitions I don’t really have to train a lot with gear. I just dial the shirt in if I have a new one, and then I save it for any upcoming comps. That way they last longer also. But sometimes I train with an old shirt and save the comp shirt. That way I can try some really heavy weights if it’s a long time until the next comp.

Who are you?

I’m an "ordinary" guy, single, and think of myself as quite positive and friendly. My family contains of my mom who lives with her man about 30 km from me and my sister who lives in Sweden with her husband, but still not that far away. I can get there in 3 hours.

When I started lifting I noticed that I had some strength compared to most of the other guys but I didn’t care about competing until I helped the local powerlifting club as a spotter and found it very exciting and fun. At that time I had been lifting for seven years. My PRs were squat 300kg (wraps and belt), bench 210 kg and dead 240 kg. I didn’t care much for deadlifts at that time and I still have to suffer the consequences of that stupid idea. Now I compete in that very same PL club, Ålands Kraftsportklubb. Our website address is www.kraftsport.nu

Where do you train?

I train at the public sports house. The one that belongs to the city, it’s not a commercial gym. It’s pretty ok but quite small. Lots of free weights though.

Who do you admire in the sport?

I admire all drug-free lifters who really have to work for their gains and who are good and humble sportsmen.

Do you see any up-and-coming lifters you'd like to acknowledge?

If you mean on the international level, one of the lifters who I’d like to mention is Great Britain’s Andy Thompson. He’s just getting bigger and stronger, a good all-around lifter. Another one is Fredrik Svensson from Sweden. Also keep an eye on Finland’s Marcel Lindholm in -82,5kg. He’s still a junior but beats most of the seniors in his weight class at the international competitions.

How did you start lifting? Did anyone help you coming up?

I’ve always been lazy, but when I was 18 and a friend of mine (Robert Karlsson) had just started lifting. I didn’t like any of the sports where you have to run, so that doesn’t leave a lot of sports to choose from. I figured I had to something since I was becoming a little soft in the mid-section So I gave it a shot since my buddy was bugging me all the time that I should come and train with him. Robert moved to Sweden a year after that and stopped training though.

What do you concentrate on most during your lifts?

Squat: When I started lifting I squatted with a close stance. I thought it was the only way to do it. When I started competing I had become so heavy (read: fat) that it was impossible to reach legal depth so I had to adjust my stance into a little wider. But I have quite short legs so I can’t stand too wide. I concentrate on holding my back upright and try to maintain speed when I rise from the hole.

Bench: I think I move my elbows in when I bench. It might look like I have a big arch but it’s just my belly looking like a big arch... I haven’t thought about how the path of the bar is but I think it’s pretty straight. Here again I try to focus on speed; fast down and explosive press.

Dead: I started out as a conventional deadlifter but because of the growing belly I had to change technique into sumo. I try to concentrate on leaning back as much as I can and hold my back straight. My legs are stronger than in my back.

Please list your training numbers in common movements.

I don’t really do any super heavy lifts in training unless it’s close to a competition. I’ve squatted 400kg and deadlifted 310kg, both with full gear. The best board presses I’ve done in one session were when I did 3x320kg (3x705lb), 3x335kg (3x738lb), 2x350kg (2x771lb), fully geared.

What is your training routine?

My training routine is very simple. I train only three times a week; one training session for each of the 3 main exercises. Sometimes I will do a support exercise if I still have the energy. Like I wrote earlier, I’m lazy... I usually work up to the heavy weights and then do 2-4 heavy sets with 2-3 reps and then go down to lighter weights and do a couple of sets which I try to do as explosive as possible.

What has gotten you to your current level?

The most important factor that has gotten me this far is my friends at the powerlifting club. All of us help each other, exchange tips and so on, and without them I wouldn’t be where I am now.

How do you feel about what you've accomplished so far and what are your goals?

I feel that I’ve come very far, much further than I thought that I would when I started. My goal was to be a decent lifter at a national level. Later on I thought that I might have a chance at Riku Kiri’s Finnish bench record (IPF) which was 270kg. He did that in 1989 so it was an old record. I don’t have any long-term goals. I take a year at a time and hope to avoid serious injuries.

How do you intend on continuing to break records?

For the moment I see no reason to change anything regarding my training, so

I will just go on and see what happens. One thing I need to do though is some grip training to enhance my deadlift since it sucks.

What do you recommend non-elite lifters should concentrate most on in training?

It’s hard for me to give advices to people that I haven’t seen lifting, but

I guess one good advice could be to not overdo it. If your body need to rest, then rest.

Describe your nutritional plan.

Hehe... my nutritional plan.. That would be to make sure that I get enough food. I don’t really care what it is, I just want food that tastes good. One of my sponsors is a local pizza/lunch place and I eat there a lot. I’m not the perfect example of how you should eat, I just eat.

When and where is your next meet?

My next comp is the IPF Worlds Open Powerlifting Championships in South

Africa. I leave on Tuesday and lift on Sunday 14th of Nov. On the weekend after that it’s the Finnish Nats for teams/clubs. A couple of weeks later I will attend the IPF Worlds Open Bench Championships. Then on the weekend after that I still have one comp left. It’s a regional PL comp here in Finland. So I have a busy schedule ahead.

Anyone you would like to thank?

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Titan for helping me out and believing in me, and the local Titan dealer in Finland, Sakari Selkäinaho. He provides me with all the best gear! Thanks!

Thanks Kenneth.

[POWERJIM]

Andy Bolton

Progress Update, March 4th, 2006

At the WPO Finals in Columbus, Ohio on March 4th, 2006, Andy squatted 510kg/1124lb, bench pressed 290kg/639lb, deadlifted 440.5kg/971lb and totaled 1240kg/2733lb winning second place in the SHW division.

Initial Interview, November 18th, 2005 – Pro Powerlifter and Deadlifter Extraordinaire

What are your age, bodyweight and occupation?

My off-season weight is 335lbs, competition weight is 350lbs and I work as a driver.

What are your best lifts?

Best lifts as a junior were set in the 125kg class: squat 410kg, bench 220kg, deadlift 389kg in the gym. In 1992 I deadlifted 410kg. Best total as a junior was 1002.5kg. Best lifts in WPO are: squat 520kg, bench 287.5kg, deadlift 427.5kg and total 1235kg. Also the last time I lifted in WPC was 2001 in Africa where I lifted in 140+kg and I squatted 420kg, benched 250kg and deadlifted 418kg world record. My top 7 deadlifts, all done in competition, are: 427.5kg in November 05, 425kg in June 2005, 423kg in March 2003, 421kg in October 2002, 420kg in June 2002, 418kg in November 2001, 412.5kg in March 2005, 410kg in June 2001. As you can see I have deadlifted over 900lbs eight times. No man has ever done that.

How long have you been lifting and where?

I started in 1991 in BAWLA linked to the IPF then in 1992 moved to WPC. I stopped powerlifting in 1994 then came back in 1999 to the WPC then in 2001 moved to the WPO.

What style of training do you use?

I use Andy Bolton style training. I don’t really train like anybody else; I don’t use bands or chains but do use boards for benching. I train mostly on how I feel.

What type of equipment do you use and how do you get the most out of it?

I don’t use any gear off-season but I do use a loose bench shirt sometimes. I never use a squat suit or deadlift suit off-season; I like to get my body as strong as possible first before that goes on. All the gear is Inzer who I started working with this year and I must say is by far the best I have ever used. Squat suit is the Leviathon, briefs are the Predators, bench shirt is a double Rage X and deadlift suit is Max Deadlift suit.

Who are you?

I am 35 years old have been married for 1 year to wife Stacy who is from Boston, USA. We are expecting our first baby in 7 months. I have always loved being strong, always wanted to be the strongest ever 1 day and yes I was very strong from an early age. Also I like to see myself as a nice guy, I like to help other lifters with training etc. and I will always answer peoples questions honestly.

Where do you train?

Leeds, England.

Who do you admire in the sport?

Only 1 man I really admire in powerlifting, that’s Eddy Coan, he has done it all and his lifting is awesome, nobody even comes close to him.

Do you see any up-and-coming lifters you'd like to acknowledge?

Ha ha, well there’s a guy you might know, his name is Benidikt Magnusson. His deadlift is not bad, ha ha. Me and him have unfinished business and I have all the respect in the world for him.

How did you start lifting? Did anyone help you coming up?

The guys I still train with now got me into powerlifting. Their names are Brian Reynolds, IPF world champ 2003; he beat Steve Goggins (sorry steve). Also Dave Carter, IPF 82.5kg lifter; he is strong as hell, deadlifted 350kg at 82.5kg. Also Ronni Gordon GPC world champ masters at 90kg. These are the guys who got me started and my mum and dad have always supported me 110%.

What lifting technique suits you best in each of the three lifts, and what do you concentrate on most during your lifts?

I squat wide. Very wide helps me drive from the bottom. Bench I have just started benching more to my belly so I can tuck my elbows in more to give me more drive. Deadlift I use conventional style and try to use a lot of legs when I pull, and when I start lifting I just get crazy it just happens I want it so much and what scares me most is failing.

Please list your training numbers in common movements.

Squat 470kg no suit, bench 300kg with Inzer Rage X, deadlift 410kg no suit, benching with boards with no shirt: 5 boards 285kg 5 reps, 4 boards 270kg 5 reps, also partial deadlift below knee with no suit: 470kg 3 reps 420kg 10 reps.

What is your training routine?

I train 3 days per week, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Monday bench, Wednesday squat and deadlift, Thursday bench and ass work for squat and deadlift. Each workout is 2 to 3 hours with lots of volume depending on energy levels that day.

What specific exercises do you believe have been effective in increasing your bench squat and deadlift?

Squat I believe you should just squat, squat and squat again. Bench is more work for me; the boards help a lot. Deadlift is just deadlifting with lots of volume and lots of explosive power.

Have you ever “plateaued” on any of your lifts and how did you correct the issue(s) causing the halt in progress?

Only thing that I stalled on was bench and have started using better shirts and working with Shawn Lattimer. He helps me a lot on how to use the boards.

What has gotten you to your current level?

Hard work. Powerlifting has been my life for past 15yrs, I live it sleep it and when I stop enjoying it is the day I stop.

Have you ever had any injuries? How do you avoid them in training?

How do you avoid them in training?: I had 2 shoulder surgeries and 1 operation on my quad. I also tore my left bicep now I train very carefully and always warm up and stretch.

How do you feel about what you've accomplished so far and what are your goals?

I am happy with my lifting. I have come a long way but still have lots of goals. Number 1 is to win the Arnold in March so I hope the guys are ready for me. Also I want my deadlift record back; that is my record and I will get it back. Also to squat 1200lbs, bench over 700 and then to be the strongest powerlifter ever. Sorry Garry.

How do you intend on continuing to progress?

You have to keep moving with the times, as the suits get better you need to use what’s there and to work 110% and to never give up fighting.

What do you recommend non-elite lifters should concentrate most on in training?

Basics, nothing else. Keep good form, just stay to 3 days a week. Work hard and they will gain, the main thing is not to rush it, it will happen.

Describe your nutritional plan.

I eat 7 times a day, lots of protein and carbs. I eat good foods and junk - I love chock. Also I am sponsored by Dorian Yates so I use there full range of products and also work with Brian Batcholdor who knows everything about supplements, etc; he has helped me a lot.

When and where is your next meet?

The Arnold Classic in March 2006 in Columbus, Ohio.

Anyone you would like to thank?

Yes, Inzer for there equipment, Dorian Yates/Phill Connolly/Kerry Kayes for the supplements, Brian Batcholdor/Dave Beattie who go to all the shows with me and are good friends, Forza who helps me with flights etc., all the guys in Leeds who have always believed in me, and my wife Stacy

Thanks Andy.

[POWERJIM]

Brian Siders

Progress Update, May 6th, 2006

At the New England Record Breakers meet at Amherst, Massachusetts on May 6th, Brian squatted 785lb, bench pressed 605lb, 810lb and totaled 2200lb, winning the powerlifting division.

Progress Update, April 29th, 2006

At the USAPL Quest American Invitational at Duluth, Georgia on April 29th, 2006, Brian squatted 440kg/970lb, bench pressed 351kg/773lb, deadlifted 377.5kg/832lb and totaled 1167.5kg/2573lb.

Initial Interview, June 26th, 2005 – 2003 and 2004 IPF Super-Heavyweight World Champion and World Record Holder

What are your age bodyweight and occupation?

I am 26 years old, I weigh approx. 345 and I work as a correctional psychologist in a maximum security prison.

What are your best lifts?

My best lifts are 981 in the squat, 804 in the bench and 826 in the deadlift in the SHW class.

How long have you been lifting and where?

I started lifting in highschool (93-96), mainly just training the bench press and other upper body movements. I started focusing on squating and deadlifting in the winter of 97/98 and I started doing full meets in 1998. I started powerlifting at the Holley Strength Club in Charleston, WV with John Messinger and Vince White and several other hard working lifters.

What style of training do you use?

I train with my own mess that I have come up with over the years and the only thing that is constant is very high volume. It also includes bits and pieces of just about every known system.

What type of equipment do you use and how do you get the most out of it?

I use Inzer gear. I mostly train raw (except on heavy workouts closer to a meet) without a belt. Sometimes I wear loose suit bottoms on squat/dl days to prevent extra soreness in my hips, but I rarely wear a belt unless I am doing heavy squats.

Who are you?

I have a pretty busy life, as do most powerlifters. I am married to Amy, and I have two dogs (Max and Milly) and one ferret named Lilly. I began lifting for football and I played college football for a while, until I quit to lift more. It didnt seem like I was much stronger than other kids and I probably couldnt squat 315 in highschool, lol.

You can find my website at BrianSiders.com

Where do you train?:

At the end of 2003, our gym building got condemned. At that time we moved most of our equipment to a local high school. Last year I got a small gym built behind my house and I mostly train there and I still go to the highschool on the other days. When I do strongman training, I do it at Phil Pfister's facility, so I am actually training at 3 differetn places.

Who do you admire in the sport?

The first lifter that I read about was Ed Coan. Other lifters that I admire include Wade Hooper, Caleb Williams, Gene Bell and Mike Bridges.

Do you see any up-and-coming lifters you'd like to acknowledge?

I would like to acknowledge all the people that I work out with who seem to work so hard and do not get the benefits (yet, at least) that I have gotten. Without them, I could not train. I would rather train with a 350 lb lifter that kills himself in the gym that a 700 lb bencher that wants to do 3 sets and go home.

How did you start lifting? Did anyone help you coming up?

I started for football, and once I was exposed, it seemed to become a greater interest. I can not name all the people who have helped me. I initially got the boot to get started from my late father, and once I started competing, John Messinger and Vince White have taught me most of what I know. Others like Sherman Ledford have also helped my a lot, especially when I travel overseas and abroad. One workout partner (Matt Johnson) will drive almost 3 hours one way, do a 4 hour powerlifting and strongman workout and drive back on a weekly basis. I am greatfull to have good help and training partners.

What lifting technique suits you best in each of the three lifts and what do you concentrate on most during your lifts?

I squat with a medium stance, bench as wide as possible with elbows in, and dl sumo. I try to get myself in the most aroused state of mind as possible before each lift.

Please list your training numbers in common movements.

I dont do a lot of max singles in the gym, but I have done around 940 (kilo set) for a set of 3 in the squat with belt wraps and straps down. 755 for 3 in the 3 board press, 400 for 8 in the seated shoulder press, 120 for 20 reps in the one arm db press, 785ish for 3 in the dl with straps down, 915 for a low pin pull (conv) in a belt and straps. in the DL with 25 lb plates, I have done 610 (plus a set of chains) for 8 reps.

What is your training routine?

I train 7 days a week (typically). 6 main workouts and one short workout that consists of different assistance work. Each workout can range from 3 to 4 plus hours (on days where a lot of equipment is used). I pretty much remain at a constant volume rate (every 4th week may drop some)and percentages of each lift change, depending on how far I am from a meet.

What specific exercises do you believe have been effective in increasing your bench squat and deadlift?

I do just about every exercise imaginable. I dont do a lot of isolation movements except for shoulders and triceps.

Have you ever “plateaued” on any of your lifts and how did you correct the issue(s) causing the halt in progress?

So far I have mainly remained ahead of plateaus except for injuries that may halter progress, which have to be worked aroound.

What has gotten you to your current level?

Show up at the gym (this is crucial).

Then do sets and reps.

Through trial and error figure out which exercises work and which ones dont.

Repeat this as frequently and as intensely as possible until you reach desired strength level.

Have you ever had any injuries? How do you avoid them in training?

I have had mainly just minor injuries. Recently, I smashed the end of my finger off, which has just completely healed. I had to train around my dl for a while, but training is now back to normal.

How do you feel about what you've accomplished so far and what are your goals?

I am pleased so far, yet not content. My goals now are to become stronger in the squat and especially in the deadlift.

How do you intend on continuing to progress?

To continue to set and reach short term goals and to remain motivated.

What do you recommend non-elite lifters should concentrate more on in training?

All lifters should leave no stone unturned.

Describe your nutritional plan.

I eat 3 to 4 meals a day and take in 4 protein/ meal replacement shakes a day. I regulate my protein (around 400 grams per day) and water intake (200 ounces each day) and everything else I do not worry too much.

When and where is your next meet?

I am not sure at this time.

Anyone you would like to thank?

My wife, my family, all of my workout partners, Inzer, MHP, Sherman at Quest Nutrition, House of Pain, Powerlifting Superstore, Hardcore Powerlifting, and irongame.com for the interview.

Thanks Brian.

[POWERJIM]

Arthur Jones

Initial Interview, January 10th, 2005 – Big Raw Bencher in the 242lb Class

What are your age, bodyweight and occupation?

I’m 35 years old; my birthday is January 1st. I now train at 252 pounds down from 263 and I’m a grad student working on my masters in International Business Management.

What are your best lifts?

In my first meet back in 1989, I benched 385 at 162 pounds with an Inzer Blast, (I think it was an Inzer Blast) and I hated it. I was told I needed a bench shirt to compete so I got one, but I never liked using them. My next meet, I got a 460 at 181 in a shirt given to me by one of my trainers, Jerry Volpe, (Frank Lugo was the other) who taught me about equipment and how to use it. I wasn’t getting much out of the bench shirt and I hated putting it on, so I decided to start lifting raw. I then hit a 507 raw at 197 pounds, 541.5 raw at 216 pounds, and 563 raw at 238.

How long have you been lifting and where?

I’ve been lifting since I was about five, (in Akron Ohio) starting out with push-ups, sit-ups and curls with the metal rod that slid between those old school weights they used to sell, they were made of concrete wrapped in plastic. Some of you older lifters know what I’m talking about. If you remember, the wrench it came with was a piece of metal with a square punched in it so you could keep the weight from slipping off; if you lost it, you had to use pliers. My brothers would let me watch them work out on a bench they made out of wood, (with a piece of carpet on it to protect from splinters) and they would let me move some concrete. It would be a couple years before I could move steel. Now I lift in Arizona City at Tri-Valley Fitness and Gold’s in Scottsdale, Arizona.

What style of training do you use?

I’ve read all the stuff that’s out there: Westside, Metal Militia and the Russian training manuals. Most of the new training breakthroughs are for equipped lifters and it is hard to tell what is good for a raw, drug free lifter and what isn’t. So I’ve tried a lot of different styles of training, and what I end up doing is trying what I think works and keeping the good stuff. For the most part I stick with the basics: Good old fashion sets of five.

What type of equipment do you use and how do you get the most out of it?

I’m a Raw Dawg 4 Life, so I lift in a Warner Brothers old school blue Superman tee shirt when I compete in AAU or NASA meets. The ADAU and 100% Raw said they would also allow me to wear the Superman tee shirt. When I compete in the USAPL I wear black Hanes double cotton because the Superman tee is illegal equipment there. When I asked a referee at the nationals one year why I couldn’t wear my Superman tee, he said because it makes lifting fun which causes the brain to release those feel-good happy chemicals, and those feel-good, happy chemicals the brain produces is a banned substance in the USAPL. I don’t know how much I get out of the Superman shirt but I will say that I have bombed out of two USAPL meets for excessive sinking. Excessive sinking in case you all don’t know, (as I was told by refs at the same nationals) is when the bar sinks too far down into one’s chest. So it doesn’t matter if you pause and press without the bar going down and up (heaving) it’s still an in fraction. I asked how far the bar could sink and how was it measured? The ref never answered that question, but he did tell me this rule was to stop belly benchers from cheating. Since this sinking doesn’t happen in other orgs, I’m guessing it’s because I can’t wear my Superman shirt. I understand that the USAPL wants to keep a level playing field by protecting the integrity of the lifting done and that’s a good thing! So, I’ve been thinking, maybe I should stop trying to cheat the system with excessive gear (Superman Tee), and drugs (feel-good, happy chemicals) LOL! In all seriousness, I think the USAPL is a fine organization and trying to compete there with the rules they have in place makes lifting interesting. They have developed a good reputation for a reason and lifting more strictly has never killed anyone. So, like MacArthur Said, “I shall return!”

Who are you?

How I came to love lifting is a sad story. When I was in the kindergarten I wanted to go to the John Glenn space camp with my class. For the trip, I needed a space suit that came with a helmet, suit and boots. I ran all the way home to ask my mom if I could go and she said if you get good grades, I’ll give you the money. I studied really hard and did the best I could and when report cards came out, I again ran all the way home to give my mom my report card. When I gave her the report card she looked at it and said “you did the best you could right?” I said, “Yes mommy!” (excited by the prospect of being an astronaut cadet). My mom then left the house for a couple of hours and when she came home she presented me with a weight set. I was confused so I said “mommy I don’t want a weight set… where's my space suit?” She said “Son, I love you, but if you did the best you could, and these are the grades you brought home, you’re too dumb to be an astronaut and I’m not going to waste money on camp. I got you these weights so you can get big and strong. You’ll probably end up a garbage man or a ditch digger and you’ll need big muscles and a strong back way more than space camp….”

Ok that didn’t really happen, but little guys always ask “what made you start lifting weights?” They figure we didn’t get girls in high school or suffered some sort of tragic blow to our ego and that’s why we lift. Honestly, I’m a Capricorn who likes moon lit walks on the beach, spicy-greasy food, young girls and lifting weights. The problem for me is there’s no water in Arizona, I’ve gotten older and my stomach won’t tolerate spicy-greasy food, and the last time I tried to talk to a young girl (22) she called me sir and offered to introduce me to her mom. The only thing I have in my life now that is the same as I remember every time is the steel. I’ll never be too old to go to the gym and train my butt off, and the cool thing is every time I do, it’s the same as the first time. The steel calms my soul during trying times and gives me balance. I realized it could do that during Desert Storm, where I spent many sleepless nights before I got to workout. The steel helped a scared twenty-two year old kid get his first restful days sleep while in a foreign country with fighting all around. Lifting also gave me mini vacations where I could pretend I was back in high school, in the Firestone high weight room with my dogs Arthur “June” Sims and Brian “Moose” Johnson. Where I was actually lifting just a few years earlier, not even a letter from home did that. My life is now without moonlit walks on the beach, spicy-greasy food, and now that I’m a thirty-five year old “Sir”, I’m without young girls, but thanks to the steel, four days a week I get to go to the gym and be an ageless timeless warrior… if only for a little while.

Where do you train?

I do my heavy benching at Tri-Valley Fitness and the rest of my training at Gold’s Gym in Scottsdale AZ. The difference is at Tri Valley Fitness you feel like your part of a family that wants to see you do well, and at Gold’s a guy doing curls has just as much right to a squat rack as a guy who wants to squat.

Who do you admire in the sport?

Mike Booker because he is the best raw lifter I have ever seen (maybe the best in the world). I’ve watch this Youngman lift for a few years now and I am always impressed by the power he has at his command. He lifts on Saturdays and when I can’t make it to the meet to see him lift I know whether or not he was there, based on the best lifter presentation. If I get it, it’s because Mr. Mike Booker didn’t lift the previous day. I also admire Mr. Mike MacDonald because he is the best raw heavy his division ever produced. Mr. MacDonald would have been unbeatable competing raw against equipped lifters up until 1995 or 2000. Age and equipment would have been the only thing standing between him and total domination from 1977 when he hit 603 until today. Last is Mr. Jay Gibson for the incredible passion he’s shown for powerlifting by dealing with his adversity over the last year and fighting his way back to the steel. He has been a source of inspiration for a lot of lifters by sharing his trials and tribulations with those interested enough to log on. He’s allowed his friends to learn from what he’s been through, and to me that takes courage, a courage I hope to one day possess. I also admire anyone who still enjoys the sport of powerlifting. With the battles between raw and equipped lifters, single ply and multi ply, all the back stabbing, bad mouthing and gear wars, it’s created a lot of bad blood in the sport. The sport has changed. Now, I say so what if the biggest bench is bigger than the heaviest dead lift and single ply lifters are now lifting the same as double ply lifters. Gear is gear, deal with it. If you’re using gear, don’t cry when you retire and they come out with steel-belted bench shirts and someone breaks your records. What goes around comes around, and the bottom line is when you belittle other lifters (equipped/single ply/double ply/tested/non-tested) you belittle yourself and the sport.

How did you start lifting? Did anyone help you coming up?

I started lifting when I was really young because I was too little to do anything else and I wanted to be like my older brothers. I started competing in high school; a teacher saw me lift and told me about powerlifting and said I should look into it. I lifted in some non-sanctioned meets but didn’t get serious until I joined the Air Force. After a meet in 1989 I met Jerry “The Italian Stallion” Volpe and Frank “Trumpet Head” Lugo. They taught me every thing I needed to know about the sport and I’d like to thank them once again.

What do you concentrate on most during your lifts?

I lift raw so this part is easy. Slight arch and elbows in tight, I have been practicing elbows out for the USAPL to stop sinking. The only thing I think about while lifting is technique. I would hate to drop my max weight on myself. I dropped 405 once while close griping and I thought I was going to pass out; lucky for me Smitty was there to pull it off.

Please list your training numbers in common movements.

I have done a single with 580, five singles with 570, doubles with 550 and 480 for four sets of five; all raw and with pauses. I have inclined pressed 450 for sets of five, triceps extensions with 315 for sets of ten, behind the neck presses with 325 and front presses with 365. After working out this way, I realized that although this might be impressive to the doctors and lawyers in the gym, it wasn’t helping my bench. Now, I save the heavy stuff for the bench and the light stuff for assistant exercises.

What is your training routine?

I switch between a four day split and a three on, four off schedule. I am at a point where it is hard to increase my work out weight and I’m trying new things to stimulate growth. I try and keep my workouts under two hours long but sometimes the work out the day before wears you down and you end up moving a little bit slower.

What specific exercises do you believe have been effective in increasing your bench press?

Different variations of the bench and tricep extensions.

How do you feel about what you've accomplished so far and what are your goals?

I feel great about what I have accomplished so far because I have worked really hard. I do not intend to take it easy because I know everyone else is working just as hard to break my record.

Have you ever “plateaued” on any of your lifts and how did you correct the issue(s) causing the halt in progress?

Yes I have reached plateaus. I realized I needed to go back to the basics, lift more strictly and keep lifting until I got stronger. My plateaus were because of deficiencies in my technique, and once I corrected them, I started to get stronger.

What has gotten you to your current level?

Being willing to ask for help, take advice and try new things.

Have you ever had any injuries? How do you avoid them in training?

I haven't had in lifting related injuries. The injuries I do have are from an accident and those I just deal with. I avoid further injuries by communicating with my spotter and making sure I don't get in over my head with someone who doesn't know me. A good spotter like my man Matt Smith knows when I'm in trouble and doesn't hesitate to jump in there and help me out. That's why most lifters like their own spotters.

How do you feel about what you've accomplished so far and what are your goals?

I feel really good about what I’ve accomplished so far but very few people know that I’m a good bencher because they have few people to compare me too. They want to attribute my success to few challengers even though my bench is up there with the best non-tested lifters in history. It’s too bad that raw powerlifting has become a forgotten piece of the sport. If it weren’t for John Sanchez and his website (www.americanpowerliftevolution.net) new lifters would never know that back in the day, lifters didn’t need a ten man crew and sponsorship to compete. It seems sometimes that lifters today think if they erase the records of big lifts and lifters of the past, people will forget about them. Then they’ll never again have to be insulted by those insensitive people who ask “but what can you lift raw?” Until we start respecting all aspects of our sport, we will never be able to come together. My goals in the New Year are to unify the sport bringing all Feds and lifters together as one and benching 606 drug free and raw. Of course, I’ll tackle the easy one first.

How do you intend on continuing to progress?

I plan to continue to break records/progress by staying healthy and finding organizations with small records, with so many organizations that should be easy! LOL! Seriously, I plan to get back to enjoying my time in the gym and not thinking about records so much. If I get close to a record in the gym, I’ll do a meet. If not, I’ll just keep moving the steel. Because I feel I am the best raw heavy weight, I feel it’s my duty to lift anytime, anywhere, against anyone to prove it. My plan for the New Year is to wreak havoc on the AAU, NASA, ADAU and 100% raw organizations. So I hope their lifters are ready, it’s time someone unify the belts.

What do you recommend non-elite lifters should concentrate more on in training?

Technique is the only thing you can concentrate on and get better at right away, everything else takes time. I think less people would get discouraged and quit if they concentrated on the things they can control and leave the rest for time and the steel to workout.

Describe your nutritional plan.

I eat anything that doesn’t out run me; if I catch it, it’s gone. This ancient diet from the mother land helps keep me slim and trim. Since I have cut back on my food intake there will be no need to diet.

When and where is your next meet?

I probably won’t do another meet until I’m closer to 600 or at least better than 563. Only God knows when that will be.

Anyone you would like to thank?

I would like to thank the teacher in high school introduced me to powerlifting. I would also like to thank Jerry and Frank who took me under their wing and showed me the way. I can’t forget my past workout out partners who helped keep me safe in the gym, Arthur Sims and Brian Johnson (Firestone High). Greg Davis and the Worlds Gym crew in Tucson. Much love to my current workout partner J. Mathew Smith a.k.a. The Red Dog/Smitty, who, since I moved from Tucson to Scottsdale, has been driving two hours round trip to meet me in Arizona City to train. The drive takes me about the same amount of time but since I need him to spot me on heavy day, I need him way more than he needs me. I don’t know anyone who would do that just to train with the likes of me, but I appreciate him bringing that fire to our workouts more than he will ever know. Thanks also to Ron and Tri Valley Fitness for providing us a great place to train and making us feel at home. Last I would like to thank my high school wrestling coaches Ron Laubough and Bob Conley. Coach Conley tried to kill me every day for three years by putting us through grueling practices, preparing me for life by telling me it (life) doesn’t get any harder then wrestling in North East Ohio, but this is the most fun you’ll ever have in life. So enjoy this time cause one day this will all be over, NOW GET YOUR BLACK A** IN GEAR AND HIT THOSE STAIRS! I still hear “train hard and make them beat you”, ringing in my ears every workout and the three undefeated seasons we had is a constant reminder of what can be accomplished if you want it bad enough. Last, I want to thank Coach Ron Laubough who made it all happen by talking me into wrestling my sophomore year, I wonder if anyone noticed that the number of stolen cars dropped in 1984? Coach Laubough was one of the only people who challenged me to be a better man, and it couldn’t have happened at a better time. He told me my first year of wrestling that I was going to “wrestle guys who at sixteen years old, might have 10-12 years of experience to your three months”, and “the only way you’re going to win against these guys is out train them in practice and out work them on the mat, that’s why Conley works you so hard”. I wrestled JV my sophomore year (which was also my first year wrestling) but went with the varsity squad to a big tough tournament. Coach Laubough saw how nervous I was before my first match so he came over looked hard into my eyes, and said something that changed my life. He said “Son, these are some of the best wrestlers in the country and this is going to be a rough learning experience for you, but as long as you remember to do three things out there on that mat, no matter what happens, I promise you everything will be alright. Those three things… Battle, Battle, Battle!”

This is the best advice I have ever received and because it was so simple I decided to live my life by this motto. No matter what it is I go out there and do my absolute best knowing that if I do when it’s over, everything will be alright. This motto frees me from my fear of failing, making every difficult task about learning, not winning and losing. This allows me to go into any situation with confidence because I know you may be able to stop me from winning, but you’ll never stop me from learning. If you’ve forgotten how much fun learning is, think back to the look in your child’s eyes the day you applauded their first steps, or the smile on their face as you cheered them the first time they rode their bike without training wheels. If you have no children, think back to when you were the kid on the bike and remember when it was about having fun, and the fun was learning. You remember that don’t you? If you take nothing else away from this interview, I hope you remember this life lesson. “As long as you remember to wake up every morning and do three things, no matter how your day goes, at the end I promise you everything will be alright. Those three things… BATTLE, BATTLE, BATTLE!” (Coach Ron Laubough)

Thanks Arthur.

[BiggerGuns=LongerDrives]

Can't fathom the lifts? It's like trying to figure out how to walk on water?
I just don't see how the hell someone is able to deadlift 900 lbs

[POWERJIM]

Benedikt Magnusson

Initial Interview, November 9th, 2005 – 22 year old 970lb deadlifter

What are your age, bodyweight and occupation?

I am 22 years old. My bodyweight now is 160kg and hopefully going up.

What are your best lifts?

My best lifts are :

Squat: 405kg

Bench: 275kg

DeadL: 440kg

And best total : 1090kg

How long have you been lifting and where?

I started training deadlift in Steve Gym in Iceland (www.stevegym.net) when I was 17 and started competing in the IPF 2 weeks later.

Now I train at Jon Pal Sigmarsson’s old gym as well (www.gym80.is).

What style of training do you use?

I train a mixed combination of training. Off-season I run sprints, do a little cardio. And I change my training routine as often as possible to evolve!

What type of equipment do you use and how do you get the most out of it?

I try using as little equipment as possible. I usually just pick gear that has good color and logo, and is comfortable to wear.

Who are you?

I am the smallest male in my family. So I better stay the strongest. I like simple and beautiful things like deadlift, food, clean air, and pure water.

I love my country Iceland that is peaceful and does not have to create an army to keep peace for themselves. And for a country of less than 300,000 people, we still manage to breed good athletes.

Where do you train?

Outside my home. At the gym.

Who do you admire in the sport?

I like Brian Siders for his smile and good results, but I don’t know him at all personally. I like Tibor Meszaros for his great spirit and his training methods. But most of all, I just like all athletes that do it for fun and keep a positive attitude.

Do you see any up-and-coming lifters you'd like to acknowledge?

Yes. I saw a very promising IPF lifter in Finland, Jani Raneila, and gave him some tips in deadlift training. Asbjorn Olafsson (Iceland) and of course my training partner Stefan Solvi Petursson (19).

How did you start lifting? Did anyone help you coming up?

My best motivation was Jon Pall Sigmarsson to see him on TV when I was younger. He had good tactics and was a good positive acting idol for kids at his time. But later I met a track and field trainer Steve at Steve Gym and he showed me how to deadlift, and taught me Jon Pal’s secrets to become the best at anything with good sportsmanship and positive attitude.

What lifting technique suits you best in each of the three lifts, and what do you concentrate on most during your lifts?

For every time I start training heavy again, I always.... always just look at who has the best and newest methods and results at any event and just imitate that and mix it up with my own style.

Please list your training numbers in common movements.

I never do heavy in the gym. Only in competition.

What is your training routine?

I train every day. But I cant write down any single routine, there are so many. We are always evolving. I deadlift 2x a week during the off-season and every 7-8 days during the season. I only do cardio during the offseason.

What specific exercises do you believe have been effective in increasing your bench squat and deadlift?

Deadlift is the only one good for all events I think, and I do a lot of lifts from a platform. Squats I never do heavy except a few weeks before a competition. Sprints and jumping hurdles are good off-season for shocking the nerves.

Have you ever “plateaued” on any of your lifts and how did you correct the issue(s) causing the halt in progress?

Yes. I lost my grip at 335, so I started deadlift with front [double overhand] grip to make it stronger.

What has gotten you to your current level?

Keeping an open mind for trying new things all the time.

Have you ever had any injuries? How do you avoid them in training?

I had a very bad injury on my spine. I fixed that with a special training routine in deadlift. I tore a hamstring during sprints, and overcame that with very light deadlift and short walks and swimming. I tore a tricep and just did some light bench and wire training.

How do you feel about what you've accomplished so far and what are your goals?

I finally got the biggest deadlift in the world like I always wanted, and now I think I just have to make a new goal.

How do you intend on continuing to progress?

Learning new ways of training, learning new ways of thinking, have fun and stay positive.

What do you recommend non-elite lifters should concentrate most on in training?

Keep an open mind for trying new ways of training.

Describe your nutritional plan.

I always had a food plan, but now I know my body so well that I almost always know exactly when and what I need to eat. My favorite foods are cow and chicken and potatoes.

When and where is your next meet?

I want to go to the Arnold! I am working on that now.

Anyone you would like to thank?

Yes. My family. And everyone who believes in me. And also thanks the ones who don’t believe in me. So... everybody! Thank you all!

Thanks Benedikt.

[POWERJIM]

Originally Posted by BiggerGuns=LongerDrives

Can't fathom the lifts? It's like trying to figure out how to walk on water?
I just don't see how the hell someone is able to deadlift 900 lbs

Its unreal isnt it, much like me saying im gonna jump 100ft into the air.

[BiggerGuns=LongerDrives]

Yes, very much so.

I sit there and say WOW, HE IS OUTLIFTING ME BY TWICE AS MUCH!!!!
How the hell can I consider myself strong when there are guys in the world lifting twice as much as me???

[POWERJIM]

Paul Childress

Progress Update, October 30th, 2005

At the WPO Semi-Finals in Chicago, Illinois on October 29-30th, 2005 Paul Squatted 520kg/1146lb, Bench Pressed 3150kg/694lb, Deadlifted 372.5kg/821lb and Totaled 1207kg/2662lb, placing 3rd overall in the SHW division.

Progress Update, March 5th, 2005

At the WPO Super Open Championships in Columbus, OH on March 4th and 5th, 2005, Paul Squatted 495kg/1090lb, Bench Pressed 300kg/661lb, Deadlifted 365kg/804lb and Totaled 1160kg/2557lb in the 140kg/308lb division, placing 3rd overall in the Super Heavyweights (140kg/308lb-SHW.

Initial Interview, December 30th, 2004 - 1100lb+ Squatting, Top 308lb Westsider.

What are your age, bodyweight and occupation?

I will turn 34 on January 2, my body weight is normally around 320lb and I compete at 308lb. I work as a personal trainer and strength & conditioning consultant.

What are your best lifts?

Squat 1124lb WR @ 308lb

Bench 690lb WPO WR @ 308lb

Deadlift 782 @ 308lb

Total 2579 WR @ 308

How long have you been lifting and where?

I live and train in Buffalo, NY. I received my first weight set when I was 8 years old and have been training ever since. I started competitive powerlifting during high school and returned to powerlifting after college.

What style of training do you use?

I train using Westside Barbell principles. I have been using WSB for about 7 years.

What type of equipment do you use and how do you get the most out of it?

For the squat I use a Ginny Philips suit and Frantz briefs. For the bench I use an Inzer double denim. And for the deadlift I wear a pair of Frantz briefs. I also wear Chuck Taylors for all three lifts. As for getting the most out of my gear. I don't use it that much. I only wear my squat suit a couple if time a year (other than meet day). I feel very comfortable in it and don't really need to us it. The bench is a different story. I have been using my shirt more, because I don’t get much of a carry over out of my shirt. So I’m really trying to learn how to use a shirt better. As for the DL I only wear a pair of briefs and a singlet. I have tried different DL suit but have never found one that I really like.

Who are you?

I’m a self employed personal trainer and I’m on staff at elite fitness systems (elitefts.com). I have a Masters degree in Exercise Science and Nutrition. I started my business three years ago and now have about 20 clients and two employees with their own clients.

I’m single and my family (parents and two sisters) are my biggest fans.

I fell in love with lifting at a young age (8) when I saw my first World’s Strongest Man contest. As long as I can remember I have always been stronger than all my friends. I could do push-ups and sit-ups and pull-ups when I was 3-4 years old. The first time that I tried bench pressing when I was a freshmen in high school I benched 225.

Where do you train?

I train in Buffalo, NY at the Village Glen Tennis and Fitness Center. It’s not what I would call a hard core gym, but we have all the equipment you could ask for and we have about 20 guys and girls that train together.

Who do you admire in the sport?

I have met some a the best people from this sport and admire all of them, but I would have to say that the ones that have meant the most to me would have to be all the guys from WSB, Louie Simmons, and Dave Tate have done more for me than I could ever pay back. Others that I have huge respect for are Eddie Coan, Steve Goggins, Donnie Thompson,
Beau Moore and John Bott

How did you start lifting? Did anyone help you coming up?

As I mentioned earlier I received my first weight set from my parents when I was 8 and have been training ever since. I was lucky to have a high school football coach that was into lifting and spent the time to teach use proper form. When I got to college my strength coach pushed us hard and taught us what training hard really was. That set the ground work for powerlifting.

What lifting technique suits you best in each of the three lifts, and what do you concentrate on most during your lifts?

Squat: I could write a hold article on squat form, but basically I use a wide stance with a wide grip and medium bar height. Classic WSB style.

Bench: I’m a classic belly bencher. I bring the bar down very low with good speed. I keep my feet flat and elbows tucked. My bar path is straight than back slightly, elbows turning out at the top.

DL: sumo, I don't have real long arms so I tend to round my upper back at the start of the DL. I think of the DL as a squat off the floor with a pull back. By rounding my upper back it allows me better leverage and I can us my hips and back which are my strongest body parts.

Please list your training numbers in common movements.

Buffalo bar good-mornings, 755lbx1, 700lbx3, 675lbx5; deadlift off 2" platform, 750lbx1; 2 board press, 565lbx1; 3 board press, 580lbx1; floor press 555lbx1. All gym lifts are done raw. I also don't do a great job keeping track of PRs.

What is your training routine?

Sunday - speed bench

Tuesday - speed squat

Wednesday - max effort bench

Friday - max effort squat/deadlift

Most workouts last about 2 hours you can see my training log @ elitefts.com.

What specific exercises do you believe have been effective in increasing your bench squat and deadlift?

The best exercise for the squat and deadlift are good-mornings (all kinds). Assistance exercises, glute ham raises, 45° hypers, reverse hypers and abs lots of abs. bench press- floor press, board press (2,3,4) assistance exercises- straight bar ext. and a lot of dumbbell work.

With out a doubt the best advance in training in the past ten years has been chains and bands.

Have you ever “plateaued” on any of your lifts and how did you correct the issue(s) causing the halt in progress?

I have not hit any major plateaus yet. My bench has slowed down a little but I think that is because I have not mastered how to use a shirt. The reason I think my numbers keep going up is that I cycle my training, and I only compete twice a year. Only competing twice allows me time to work in weakness and not always be training for a meet.

What has gotten you to your current level?

I would have to say setting realist goals and hard work along with good training partners and a well thought out training program.

Have you ever had any injuries? How do you avoid them in training?

I have been very lucky so far and not had any real injuries. I did hurt my hip at the show of strength in Atlanta, and had to take some time to rehab it, but it has come around and it should be ready for the Arnold Classic.

How do you feel ab