I’ll never forget my first brush with powerlifting—it was back in college, when a buddy dragged me to the gym for what he called a “real workout.” I was used to messing around with dumbbells, chasing that pump, but he handed me a barbell loaded for squats and said, “Lift heavy or go home.” My … Read more
The bench press is the king of upper-body exercises, targeting your chest, shoulders, and triceps while boosting overall strength. But poor form can lead to stalled progress, shoulder pain, or worse, serious injury. Mastering technique ensures you lift safely, maximize gains, and look like you know what you’re doing in the gym. Perfecting your bench … Read more
I remember the first time I watched a Para powerlifting event live—it was during the Rio 2016 Paralympics, streamed on my laptop late at night. The room went silent as Siamand Rahman gripped the bar, his face a mask of pure determination, and hoisted 310 kilograms off his chest. Equivalent to two baby elephants, they … Read more
Picture this: It’s early 2018, and I’m staring down a 135-pound barbell in a dimly lit corner of my local gym, heart pounding like I’ve just run a marathon. I’d spent years bouncing between spin classes and yoga, chasing that elusive “toned” look society kept shoving down my throat. But one day, scrolling through Instagram, … Read more
Picture this: It’s 2015, and I’m Julian McKerrow, a scrawny kid from the UK who’s just discovered the thrill of hoisting weights that feel like they’re plotting against me. Fast-forward to 2019, when I shattered the world record in the raw junior deadlift at 300kg—661 pounds—earning my spot as a Red Bull athlete and world … Read more