How did you find powerlifting

[dbunch]

I didn’t get into powerlifting until I was into my 40s. I found the sport by quite by accident. The Reader’s digest version goes like this. I joined 24 hour fitness, Got talked into getting a PT, he left 24 hour fitness and I went with him to a new gym own by PT’s who also were powerlifters – and suggested I try an event, I did – I fell in love with it and 7 years later here I am.

So my question is how did you find powerlifting, or how did it find you?

[3speed]

I started playing around with lifting when I was 12 years old because I was the stereotypical skinny nerd who got picked on and pushed around ALL the time. I kept playing at it thinking I wanted to be a bodybuilder - think the old Charles Atlas ads in the back of the comic books.

Fast forward several years still playing around. I was in the Air Force and was sent to Osan Air Base in South Korea. Gene Bell was the manager of the base gym. I asked him if he could give me a few pointers. He told me what I needed to do, taught me how to set up a training plan and the rest - as they say - is history.

Thanks Gene!

[Ryan]

I've been lifting weights recreationally since I was 19 in college (37 now) bit I just reconnected with an old friend about 2.5 years ago who was once a PLer, and so he introduced me to the sport and so I've been at it ever since about midway through 2010, as a raw lifter since summer 2011.

[George]

I was transformed in high school via wrestling and football, with the common element of weight training. My strength stuck out, and played a pivotal role in being fairly good at both. Once I graduated, it was pretty much a habit...like a part of me. I was helter skelter and still am in keeping with it, despite competing, but it is something that I will do forever.

Aside from those reasons, I was a kid in the 80's. I was temporarily raised by Schwarzenegger, Stallone, Van Duckies, and all the other over the top, alpha male stars of the 80's. Maybe media does influence...

[Rosario-546]

Started lifting in 9th grade ('92) after a buddy got Arnolds bodybuilding encyclopedia, great book! In 12th grade ('96) the football coach took a bunch of his players, and me, to a powerlifting meet NYSPHSAA. None of us had any idea what we were doing, and having no idea about weight classes I missed a weight class by 1lb and came in 4th. Had I dropped that 1lb I would have not only won the lower class but outa totalled 2nd place by 100lbs, right then I was hooked...........kind of

[George]

Rosario: That book is actually really good. Of course, being that 80's kid, I had to scoop it up. I kind of wish I had grabbed Starting Strength first, but it is loaded with info.

[dbunch]

I must admit that I’m extremely jealous of you guy who found it in high school. I didn’t even know it existed until I started competing about 6 years or so ago. I dinked around in the gym for year without any guidance or direction and not making any real gains.

To think of all the time I lost. LoL well better late than never.

[zekester]

In 2005 {age 47}, I was watching a strong man competition on Tv...I decided Id go to my Dads house where i knew there were some old weights in the basement from about 20 years ago, and see what I could do. It was pathetic to say the least...I joined a local gym and in the Fall of 2006 I was sitting at the juice bar comteplating what I could do to keep me motivated as my motivation was slipping. I picked up a magazine and in the back saw a advertisement for a Powerlifting competition in Va, March of 2007...I deceided I would give that a try, and thats how I got started...

[osu122975]

I lifted a little bit in highschool but mostly weenie body building stuff. Did manage a 210 bench at 140lbs, but nothing to really speak of.

In 2010, I was tired of being overweight and weak so I started losing weight doing circuit training and walking. Got my weight under control and met my current training partner thru a co-worker. We started to talk about training and so we began to train together.

He and I never competed but I got him talked into it. Now - his 4 world records later, he's hooked on competing.

As for me, I'm still tryin' to catch him.....but I friggin' love this stuff. Can't ever imagine not doing it.