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Written by Brittany Kohnke Google search the phrase “beginner powerlifter” and hundreds of results will flood the page. Everything from sample training programs to “how to low bar squat” manuals can easily be accessed. The question must be asked though: is this information where beginners should really be looking? Is...

Written by Sarah Strong When strength training, it is important to incorporate variations that improve weaknesses. Many athletes have a dominant side in their lifts—like when their right leg is stronger than the left and takes more of the weight in a squat, for example. Without correction, muscle imbalances can...

Interview by Barrett Snyder Dr. Marcia Darbouze graduated with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2014 and soon after found herself working across South Florida treating people of all ages and varying injuries. She is the founder of Just Move Therapy, an organization dedicated to giving individuals the tools necessary...

Written by Brittany Kohnke For more than a decade I have coached hundreds of beginners in the weight room. As a high school Physical Education teacher and certified Personal Trainer & Coach, I have worked with hundreds of beginners in the weight room for over a decade now. There is...

Written by Barrett Snyder Julia (Ladewski) Anto is no stranger to success. Her 1124-pound total ranks 7th of all time in the 123-pound weight class; Powerlifting USA Magazine ranked her as the top female powerlifter in the country in 2006, and she has placed 1st or 2nd in 16 of the...

Written by Sarah Strong The last two months have felt…intense. Crazy. Unpredictable. New. The shelter-in-place orders put on many of us drastically changed our lives. As a single mother of two, I found many challenges with trying to maintain a workout routine with both kids constantly at home. However, I...

Written by Tara Duncan “You’re beautiful, even though you’re fat.” “You’d be so pretty if you just lost weight.” “You so big, you need to stay in the gym minimum of two years.” “Wow, you’re really healthy for a big girl.” “Holy sh*t what a fat piece of crap.” “What...

Dani LaMartina is a Duke DPT alum, CSCS, and elite level powerlifter in the 123-class living and working in Fort Collins, CO. Her best meet lifts include 358 squat (sleeves), 192 bench, and 440 deadlift, consistently ranking her among the top in her class. She's the first to admit she...

Written by Ivy Knight It’s been a week since our dear friend and teammate, Renee, passed away. As I watched the live stream of her memorial, I was reminded of the fun times we had with Renee. If you knew Renee or even just followed her on Instagram you know...

Written by Tara Duncan I didn’t wear shorts for more than 15 years.Let’s be real. I’m a big girl. I’ve got thick, cellulite-covered legs. I’ve got a belly. I’ve got stretch marks, rolls, I’m the whole damn bakery at this point.I’ve been sucking in my stomach since I was 7...

Written by Ivy Knight This is a personal experience and should in no way be taken as medical advice. If you need help seek advice from a licensed professional.  When I realized that I needed to talk to a professional, I felt completely out of control. I kept trying to...

Written by Barrett Snyder Chloe Lansing began training for powerlifting in 2013. She has been eating her way through weight classes and climbing the rankings since; currently, she is ranked # 3 all-time in the 148lb with wraps class. Chloe was born with macrodactyly affecting her right arm and hand...

Written by Tara Duncan I wrote a completely different post going into the XPC Elite at the Arnold and then scratched it once I actually competed because the story I had to tell originally was nothing compared to the lesson I learned. For 17 weeks, I'd been visualizing the same...

I was just as excited to read this as I was to share this because back in 2015 we interviewed Yessi and we've remained in contact ever since. I'm in awe of her today and I was then! I hope you enjoy. -Ivy  Interview by Barrett Snyder Recap: Yessica Martinez is...

DISCLAIMER: This is a personal experience. This is meant to be a post about inspiration and personal triumph and not from the perspective of a medical professional. If you are dealing with or know someone dealing with an eating disorder please seek professional help.  Written by Alexandra Trezza The terms...

I have had the pleasure of knowing Anne for a few years now. I've chatted with her at length at meets, I've given her mostly white lights on the platform but the most lovely thing I've encountered with Anne is her humility and grace. Whether she receives a good lift...

Written by Sarah Strong As a coach who writes programs for athletes across the country, one of the most common questions I get from potential clients is, “can I powerlift in a commercial gym?” My answer—absolutely. I trained in commercial gyms for the first four years I powerlifted and was...

Interview by: Barrett Snyder A former Hula dancer and athlete who originates from the Big Island of Hawaii and San Jose California, Heidi received her Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Hawaii Hilo in 2006. She is a United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) Coach Practitioner, National Officiate &...

Written by Sarah Strong Linda Franklin holds multiple world, national, and state records in powerlifting. She performs at an elite level and achieves this success while living with type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Many who suffer...

Written by Megan Earles Muscle hypertrophy is a term that is commonly used is weightlifting. It is good to understand what this is as you work to build foundational knowledge in weightlifting.  Simply put, it is the term used for the growth and increase in size of your muscle cells....