Why I Love Powerlifting?

It's funny but I did not notice this during my first meet ever back in December 2018.

It might have been because men and women were competing at the same time.

It might have been because I was reasonably terrified.


In any case, yesterday, competing with a crew of only women ranging from 10 to above 70, I was struck by the density of competing women having a really good time and that the good time was based around something that is not universally celebrated, tolerated or admired in women.

The good time's source was our strength and/or our efforts towards it.

If you were a strong (of body or of character) little girl, in my generation, you were often called names. In this generation, your mom might be scared about what is in store for you and your rights.

I was called bazooka by the boys in elementary school: both for my rapid fire comebacks and my physical resistance to bullying.

Now I'm proud of all my strengths.

I was not then.

So being around so many women who revel in their physical strength, for the feel, and the look, and the sheer joy of it, was overwhelming in a good way.



Many people ask: don't you hurt your back or your knees? Don't you get bulky?

MO State Powerlifting 2019

Here is the bottom line: this is probably the best sport for women 50 or over and outstanding for anyone else too. It prevents osteoporosis. It creates a well distributed muscle mass which helps with the unavoidable metabolic slowing that comes with age. It's a source of energy, stamina and, as noted, strength.  It makes injuries by movement of daily lives (which can include falls especially with aging) less likely. If you are safe about your technique and your progress (in my case with the help of a knowledgeable trainer) injury risk is limited.

Will you get bulky?

Honestly, yes, you will have visible muscles especially if your body fat is average or lower. Women, not men, muscles that make you look like the strong woman that you are. Just like the character you build over a lifetime is either strong or weak or something in between.

At a time where women rights are going in the wrong direction, strong, in my opinion, has never been more beautiful or necessary on a woman.

It's certainly about time to accept the diversity of strength in both men and women.

My people are strong (of body, of character, of courage, of thinking) women (and men but men have the opposite issue and are expected to be strong and not allowed to be vulnerable) and that's one of the reasons I love powerlifting.

With Strong Love and Till Later,

Anne