Powerlifting, It sure isn't what it used to be!

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“Pure powerlifting doesn't require bench shirts or special suits just a person and a barbell!”

Last updated on October 08, 2019

When I first became interested in working out I was about 10 years old and didn't have any real weights so me and my friend would go out
side and liftthings. I got this desire because i would see the weightlifters that used to be on ABC's wide world of sport back in the mid to late seventies. The only
thing I knew was to lift as I had seen on TV.
Jimmy Williams - circa 1970

When I first became interested in working out I was about 10 years old and didn't have any real weights so me and my friend would go out side and lift things. I got this desire because i would see the weightlifters that used to be on ABC's wide world of sport back in the mid to late seventies. The only thing I knew was to lift as I had seen on TV.

When I became older and joined a gym I got to see all the different machines and learned of all the different exercises that a person could do. I was loving every minute of the time I spent at the gym. I liked working out almost as much a playing football, and for me that's really saying a lot. While at the gym I was trained by guys that competed in local powerlifting and bodybuilding show in the Sacramento area. I attended a lot of these shows and learned what constituted a legitimate lift. Squats that were deep and full, bench press with feet flat on the floor and slight arches. The equipment used was mostly for protection of the lifter as most used knee wraps, heavy belts and snug fitting suits that did not require 5 guys to help them get in it.

Roger Estep getting ready to take a heavy deadlift - circa 1984.

Today, boy have things changed. Don't get the wrong idea I am not against innovation but some of this stuff is bringing some of the people that compete now days to the realization that they are more powerful than the guys of the past. That in itself is total bullshit. I have seen a lot of these guys warming up at meets and kind of chuckle to my self when this same person who could barely press 400 off his chest put on a double denim bench shirt on, and bench close to 600 with his ass just rubbing the bench and arched ridiculously high on his toes like a ballerina. The lift looks more like a sloppy decline press than anything.

What about the guys who says he's squatting a grand only to find out that his suit is double denim and custom stitched as to not ride up the thighs and give a little more pop inside the hole. Never mind that the lift its self has been cut short by a couple of inches with some organizations today.

There are so many organization today that it is ridiculous. I had some one ask me why powerlifting isn't a Olympic sport. I told them that everything that they saw at that meet would have to change. All the suits, bench shirts, squat briefs, and such would be gone. Essentially we would be back to where I started in the late 70's with knee wraps, a belt, and wrestling slinglet. For those who say that there weren't any guys that could compete with what's going on today, and do it old fashion should look and the like of Jon Cole and Bill Kazmaire and Jimmy Williams to name just a few.

Tags: Strength Life