Powerlifters, but more specifically women who train and compete in the United States, use many forms of technology in the pursuit of reaching our goal. As a female powerlifter residing in the United States I have been to numerous competitions and have had the opportunity to meet many others who belong to the same demographic. Therefore, I can testify that my goal is similar to that of the entire group. Our fundamental goal is to lift the most weight on the squat, bench press, deadlift, and the combined total of these three lifts. In order to reach that goal we utilize many forms of technology. I have categorized these forms of technology into three sections: technology within equipment, technology for safety, and technology for information/improvement. Though there are other forms of technology utilized, these categories cover the majority of technology we commonly employ. Ultimately, the technology we use makes it easier for female powerlifters, like myself, who compete in the United States to reach our goal of lifting the most amount of weight on our three lifts because it allows us to lift without being limited by the amount of weight equipment can hold, without injury, and with information necessary for improvement. Let us begin our discussion on how technology is employed in a powerlifter’s day-to-day activities by looking at the technology within the equipment category. For starters, we lift weight on barbells designed specifically for powerlifting. The tensile
The principles of resistance training and lifting techniques are the key to minimize the risk of injury and increase performance. To avoid injury and obtain maximum benefits from each exercise session, athletes must follow the safety guidelines of weightlifting. Before each workout session, athletes need to warm-up properly, 5 to 10 minutes of dynamic exercises, such as walking or light jogging to increase body temperature and prepare muscles, ligaments, and tendons for vigorous movements. Then, they need to perform stretching exercises for at least 5 minutes to prevent muscle pulls, strains, and sprains. At the end of each exercise session, they need to perform cool- down exercises to help the body to slowly return to a resting state. The
The definition of power training is training is most commonly used to develop a muscle group’s ability to contract at maximum force in the shortest amount of time possible (McArdle, Katch & Katch 2015). Weight training is defined as a system of conditioning involving lifting weights especially for strength and endurance (Merriam and Webster 2015). Power is important to acceleration as the runner’s feet are in contact with the floor for longer than if they were at full speed and so more power is needed to create movement and quickly (Mansfield athletics club 2012). Research, by Mohamed Souhaiel Chelly (2009), showed the effect of back squat and other forms of power training over a 2 months period (twice a week) on acceleration and other forms of explosive movements by football players. They found that in the first 5 meters in a 40m sprint the velocity of the players improved after using the power training techniques. This is specific to junior soccer players and so may not be specific to other sports or those of different athletic standards. In the book ‘strength and power in sport’, it is noted by the author (Latif Thomas 2010) that “The use of training methods involving, maximal and near maximal contractions, cause a remarkable increase in RFD accompanied by an
The mission of the Leatherneck Strength and Conditioning Staff is to provide each athlete with a year-round, athletic based strength & conditioning program. The primary goals of each program are to reduce the risk of injury and increase performance in the athletes' sport(s). Between the use of two facilities with over 12,000 pounds of free weights, dumbbells, and machines the athletes are challenged daily to improve upon and maximize their speed, strength, power, agility, conditioning, and flexibility. Utilizing the Olympic and power lifts, plyometrics, speed & agility drills, strongman/strongwoman training, nutritional
CrossFit is an intense exercise program that features high-intensity workouts. CrossFit athletes perform dynamic exercises like Olympic lifts and plyometric jumps. This workout program uses non-traditional equipment such as sand-bags, kettlebells, water-filled implements and suspension systems. Participants are challenged to do a certain number of repetitions in a workout in a specific time frame. These workouts are intense and involve very fast movements. Agility, flexibility, balance and power are all important concepts in CrossFit workouts. Due to the intensity and precise movements involved in a CrossFit workout, this type of exercise must be performed on a reliable and stable
Facts: For the past two years, Minsu, a Korean American, has worked as a high school physical education teacher. He is also a body-builder and a part-time graduate student in educational technology at State University. In preparing for a master’s thesis he has decided to participate in Arnold’s World Body-building training program and analyzing advanced technology used to help students absorb physical education. Arnold’s training program has a regular faculty, curriculum, an enrolled body of students, and advanced technology in its gym equipment.
I chose this topic because the men in my family have always been avid lifters. My dad was a powerlifter pretty much all of his 20’s and 30’s. When my brother came into Dad’s life, and he stopped for awhile but once my brother got old enough to lift weights he got back into lifting. Now my brother is an avid lifter, so it just a runs in the family.
Did you ever wonder how to successfully complete the three events of a powerlifting competition? The three events of each competition are the squat, followed by the bench, and finally the deadlift. About five years ago, I wanted to compete in powerlifting but did not fully understand the requirements of each type of lift. However, now after competing numerous times, I have a great understanding on how to successfully complete these three lifts. Powerlifting is a complex and challenging sport, but when dedicated, it is very rewarding and exciting.
Weightlifting helps prevent injury and is used in almost every sport. The most important aspect of training is absolute strength because it controls all strength gains. We can assume that the most important aspect of athletic development should be focused on the training of absolute strength, which is rooted with powerlifting. Powerlifting methods make the training of absolute strength a priority.
AC/DC’s “Back in Black” blared over the weight room’s speakers as I first sized up a dull iron bar. Staring straight ahead at the blank white wall, time slowed down. I racked my brain trying to recall what I had seen the lifters around me do. Phil, our weight room coach, commanded me, “Get over the bar.” I inched closer to the weight, toes beneath the bar, and attempted to lift it first off the ground, and then up on top of my shoulders.
“212 on deck!” At this moment, I can hardly stand still while I wait for my turn to lift. I’ve been up since early this morning and have been waiting a couple of hours for my weight class to start. There have been weeks of preparation just for this one day, the first of many for the season. The sport of powerlifting is serious and the only way to be at the top of your class is to practice, increase your lifted weigh and be prepared. Most people have limited knowledge of this sport, like I did when I first began competing. However, once you find yourself at a powerlifting meet, there is no going back. The sport is friendly yet competitive. For some, placing in their weight class is all that matters. Meanwhile, others are focused on increasing their bench, squat or deadlift to beat their current best. At this moment, all that matters to me is that I get all my lifts today.
Bowflex, Inc. first made its name with tension-based home gyms in the 1980s. Today the Bowflex brand is also a significant competitor in the treadmill market, ...
“When I was power lifter then I was used to in 148 pound weight class, my best bench ever was 305 Ib, my best squad was 475, and deadlift was 495” (Randy). It wasn’t easy, but then defying the laws of gravity, not to mention successfully hoisting a force more than twice your actual weight, is a remarkable achievement in
The aerobics revolution began in the 1970’s, and it succeeded throughout the 1980’s. Women who had previously been training with weights were now stepping up in huge proportions into the aerobics sector. Later in the 1980’s hybrid plate loaded machines came into the market. First of these machines were the Hammer Strength machine. These types of machine added a new edge to the exercise of body building and athleticism as they focused on the whole-body movement rather than focusing on a specific body part. Users described the machine as smooth and natural, and they felt it actually provided exhaustion less workout. Evolution of these types of machines increased the number of women in gyms and training rooms. Research and reports also began to indicate that resistance training proved beneficial for other sportsman and athletes. As a result, almost every athlete or sports team today is involved in training with weights (Murphy,
Before I go into the details of the benefits of Power and Olympic lifts, I should explain what it involves. Power lifting is a type of training that involves bench press, squat and deadlift. With those core lifts there are also many variations of them. Variations include incline bench press, front squat, sumo deadlift etc. and all have their own place in Power training. Olympic lifts can be a more technical and advanced than Power lifting. This kind of lifting includes cleans, jerks, snatches, and the clean and jerk, which are all geared for total body strength and power.
Better Fitness, Inc. (BFI), manufactures exercise equipment at its plant in Freeport, Long Island. It recently designed two universal weight machines for the home exercise market. Both machines use BFI-patented technology that provides the user with an extremely wide range of motion capability for each type of exercise performed. Until now, such capabilities have been available only on expensive weight machines used primarily by physical therapists. At a recent trade show, demonstrations of the machines resulted in significant dealer interest. In fact, the number of orders that BFI received at the trade show far exceeded its manufacturing capabilities for the current production period. As a result, management decided to begin