Julie's Adventures in Powerlifting- Heading to Nationals, Baby! (part 4)

Me, pleasantly surprised that the bar moved so quickly. I wasn expecting to have to grind it out (341#).

One year and 2 months ago, I got this crazy idea of training for and competing in my first powerlifting meet. Since then, I have competed in two meets, I hold the state records for my age and weight classes (two different weight classes, yes), and now I am going to Las Vegas to compete in Nationals!  

Am I excited?

Hell, yeah, but also tired, right now. You see, I am two weeks out, and this week is my physically toughest training week. I’m lifting pretty heavy and feeling pretty great, but yes, a bit sore as well. That is how training goes. I know this. Heck, this is my third time training for a competition. I know what to expect, but I don’t think this last tough week will get any easier, and that’s OK.

You see, over the last year, I have learned so much about not only powerlifting but also about myself, my older body, the importance of exercise for this older body, and the power of community.

What about me?

I realized that I had been searching for a physical routine for years. The last few years with COVID have certainly done a number to everyone’s routines. In March 2020, many of us shut everything down. We shut down businesses, our homes, and ourselves. Sure, I was teaching fitness classes from my ground-level studio (also known as my basement) and moving daily. I was seeking a routine and somebody to tell me what to do!

I was tired of coming up with my own training cycles, and I quickly learned, after my first few powerlifting sessions, that I LOVE having other people create my training program. I show up and do what I am told. YES! And since my coaches are so awesome, I also see results from my training program (stronger, leaner, better mood, more relaxed).

Bench Press, a lift I had very little experience with a year ago.

Getting psyched about squatting.

How low can you go? Not quite low enough on this one. DRAT!

Exercise and the Older Body

As a personal trainer, I have witnessed the transformative power of movement on many bodies. For older bodies, sedentary bodies, depressed bodies, and anxious bodies, movement is a drug with no side effects. I have seen people who originally hated exercise come into the studio smiling and looking forward to “lifting day”. I have witnessed sedentary desk workers grow taller after a few weeks of training with me. This is not a humble brag about my services (although maybe it is a little). Movement with or without a trainer can be powerful!

I am 49 and have always been active. Although, I admit, even I was a little nervous about starting powerlifting training. I pictured people lifting heavy weights with veins popping out of their heads. I didn’t want to do that!

Well, believe it or not, training for a meet is not that intense all of the time. We have some weeks that are heavier in volume but lower in intensity, and some other weeks (not too many) when we have few reps but higher intensity to train at. For the most part, training for me is intense but mostly pretty chill. I lift, then chat. I lift, then lie on the floor and stretch. I lift, then head to the bathroom for a nervous pee. Lift, rest, repeat.

Should older people lift weights? YES! Should older people powerlift? YES

You don’t have to go crazy and give yourself a hemorrhoid while lifting, but you can hire a skilled lifting coach to create a program tailored to you and your needs.

I have clients who want to get down on the floor, play with their kids/grandkids, and then safely get back up off the floor. Yes, powerlifting and resistance training can help you with that. Lifting can help you build muscle, lose fat, improve your balance, and increase bone density. Lifting can also lift your mood quickly, and it proves to be a reliable way to manage stress because when you are lifting something heavy, you are not thinking of anything else. Woo hoo!

Pick it up. Put it down.

Me hugging one of my coaches. Clare knew I could do it. I didn’t. Someone has to belive in you even when you don’t. And that is the power of coaches. Thanks, Clare! I won’t doubt myself again!

The Power of Community

I am most pleased with the community that I have found in Powerlifting. I belong to a gym that caters to powerlifters mainly. We do have some Crossfit peeps, some martial artists, some ninja warriors, and some people who want to be fit. No matter their goals, they are all aware of Powerlifting, who is competing, and when. As I mentioned earlier, this week is a tough one physically. Yesterday I was having trouble getting low enough in my squat, and many people were cheering for me. It felt great! I felt lifted up for sure.

After this year, I doubt I will ever be back at a “regular” gym. I love having coaches write my program, and I love being around people who want to be strong and talk between sets, laugh together, and cheer each other on.

In Summary…

So, folks, that is where I am at right now.

I have my singlet ready, my flights purchased, my hotel room booked, and I am ready to go to Vegas and lift!

Let’s do this. 

If you are interested in competing in your first powerlifting meet, feel free to reach out with any questions. I am glad to help! julie@mvwct.com

If you want live (sort of) updates from Vegas, follow me on Instagram and Facebook.