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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2005 10:29:20 GMT -5
I just stumbled upon this site yesterday when I was looking for the results to the "Bench America" contest. I think it's great that this site and organization is giving us drug-free and raw powerlifters a place to having a meeting of the minds. I've been lifting for 20 yrs... with interruptions of course from school, college, career, family, kids, etc., but one thing has always been constant - my love of lifting! over the last decade and especially the last 3 to 4 years, powerlifting has gone in a direction that I feel has really affected the credibility of the sport. With all of the recoil gear out there, mainstream public thinks that powerlifters are strong because of gimmick shirts and suits. Now I'm not dissing the geared lifters out there because they train just as hard as anyone - I respect their right to compete with assistance from gear... BUT, I've always felt that besides some chalk and some knee wraps - true displays of strength should happen in the absence of bench shirts, squat suits, etc.
I've never competed (save for a bench contest back in high school), but I've always wanted to. Of course with career and family obligations I have not made competing a priority - but my training is pretty high up there in priorities. On the occasions that I've gotten stoked about maybe competing, I see how much gear is being worn, and hear of how many lifters are on "pharmaceutical assistance", and I become dismayed. I sure hope Raw Powerlifting is the new direction for powerlifting!!
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Post by stevem on Oct 7, 2005 6:46:31 GMT -5
Hello Jeffs. While I train raw I love competing with equipment and without. You are enthusiastic which is really good but don't be snookered into this general-public likes this or that. What general public? There is none. The general public genarally likes crazy things. Look at what's most popular on TV. It's filled with all sorts of sports you name it. Most sports have really wild gear and antics. When powerlifting was on television's mainstream before my time the powerlifters wore equipment. Equipment has no impact on what the Olympics thinks of us or what the public thinks. The International Powerlifting Federation was at the World Games and were well received from what was written on the World Games site. All the lifters had suits, shirts and wraps on. Lifting raw is a personal choice not a cut down to most of the sport. Lift the way you like as I do raw or not and let others bask in their glory as they like. Stay drug free and keep pumpin iron.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2005 8:15:29 GMT -5
stevem,
Good points! I'm just glad that there are competition options for powerlifters!
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Post by bossman on Oct 10, 2005 11:31:00 GMT -5
Jeff and Steve, You both have made great points and there is no wrong and no right answer. Being a raw lifter and occassionally assisted I look at this as one mans own decision. Now we can beat the issue into the ground over who is right and who is wrong and it will never be solved. I Respect all lifters RAW or Assisted but I do not respect Chemically Assisted lifters that lift in drug free meets. If you want to take steroids then lift in a non tested federation and I will respect you then.
Powerlifting has changed over the past 10 years with the advancement of the gear. There has been more injuries due to the fact that lifters are lifting more weight and their tendons and ligaments are not ready for the stress levels of the weight yet. Same reason steroids lifters have so many injuries. Because of the change I feel powerlifting should be categorized into 3 divisions.
1. Extreme- Where what ever you want, take what ever you want and go compete against others like yourself have fun and stop whinning.
2. Assisted- Single ply suits made of poly only and drug tested. Have fun, have moderate saftey equipment and everyone is on the same playing field.
3. RAW- No suits, no wraps, no drugs just you and the bar. Everyone is on the same level playing field with no BS. Have fun, stay healthy, have less injuries and live longer.
I know nothing I say can or will ever change a thing in the world of powerlifting. All I can do is do what I do and do my best and I will never regret a thing. I am glad to see you both on here and hope to see you lift with us at 100% RAW someday.
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Post by jimray on Oct 10, 2005 15:09:28 GMT -5
Paul, why would your Assisted division exclude single-ply denim? The WABDL allows double-ply denim but NOT double-ply poly bench shirts.
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Post by isbell on Oct 12, 2005 13:15:21 GMT -5
I train raw and usually compete assisted (single ply). SOooo...I dont get much assistance out of my shirt. If I trained in it I would be much better. One thing that I have noticed is this: when I compete raw I am over it is 4 days. When I put on a bench press shirt I take a month to recover. My bench actually goes down during that time. I will admit that it is fun to strap the gear on. Paul will even probably admit that. It sure is nice to find something different to try though.
Simple fact: Raw strength comes from raw training. Tom
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Post by bossman on Oct 31, 2005 14:53:04 GMT -5
Hey Guys, Sorry for the delay in answering your questions but I have been real busy of late. Well Tom like you said the strain of the extra load when wearing a shirt takes about 2-3 weeks to recover. Although it is nice once in a while to compete somewhere where nobody knows meet and I can relax and have fun and lift. I don't have to judge or help out on the head table or answer a ton of questions. I just sit back and take it all in and only have fun. I don't ever train with a shirt so I don't get much out of it may 40-50 lbs and that is it.
As far as the federation goes we are 100% RAW which means no shirts at all. No single ply denim or poly and no double ply of any kind. And todays single ply's are made of material that is stronger that a metal 5 ply suit. Today ply's do not matter only comfort, affordabilty and preference. It is all good but we all know that when you lift with a shirt it is no YOU lifting the weight it is the shirt. If you can't get 500 RAW but you get it with a shirt did you get it? Heck no, the shirt helped you get it. I used to lift with a shirt when I was weaker because it boost my self-esteem because I could say I lifted 500. But now I can do it RAW and I don't need the help of assistance.
I have a great saying I am putting on a shirt.
When you can't do it you use assistance when you can do it You do it RAW.
Take care guys I hope this helps and I look forward to some responses and replies.
Paul Bossi
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2005 6:17:23 GMT -5
Great saying Paul. I always use this one. Those who can lift RAW. Those who can't ! lift in equipment. I have lifted/competed in raw-single ply and double ply equipment. If I had to choose equipment lifting. I prefer the old style HPHD single ply Inzer shirt.Squat suit the old style single ply victor or centurion. I haven't competed in a full raw meet. Just raw bench meets.
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