Great Britain Powerlifting Federation anyone?

[Magma]

I have been doing the SS Program for 7 weeks and feel like I've made great progress. I'm 49 years old, 6 months out from achilles tendon surgery and deadlifting 160kg. I have been greatly encouraged by Brian's great feats, and he has been a great inspiration to me also. Brian's recent performance at a lifting meet made me think of looking for similar events in the UK (where I live), which I might plug into my 'goals' list.

I came across the Great Britain Powerlifting Federation in my search, which led me to the british-barbell.co.uk website as I am in London. There are a bunch of clubs which hold open sessions and I was thinking of maybe going along.

Since I'm clearly still a novice I wasn't sure when would be the optimum time to go along. I wouldn't want to be the only guy in the room looking feeble - that's not good for ego - but at the same time I thought it might offer a good opportunity for a form check and perhaps motivation to continue.

During my 'blue sky' moments I fantasize about doing a novice strongman competition or highland games, as well as maybe attending a meet. I figure these would be great ways to celebrate my 50th birthday year. Originally, I was considering doing an ironman or something but the ankle definitely disagrees with that, and I feel a little more 'naturally inclined' towards strength rather than endurance events.

Is anyone here a member of any of these organisations, or attend any sessions or meets? It's be great to hear your experiences and opinions.

[yonkyogirl]

I'm a member of the GBPF, done three competitions so far, North Midlands division. I've been to British Barbell once for squad training and although it is a tiny facility, they do have excellent equipment and great coaches. The coaching style will no doubt be a little different from straight SS though.

In terms of when to start competing, your first few competitions are about the experience rather than winning anything, though you can see where you stand by looking at the British qualifiers and divisional records - you'll be masters 1, heading in to masters 2 when you turn 50. Being surrounded by people stronger than you is essential for progression so put your ego aside for little while, and it's not like anyone will point and mock because you deadlift less than them. Overall, I've found the powerlifting atmosphere to be very encouraging and supportive, irrespective of strength levels.

Strongman is cool as well, though even for a novice comp you'll probably have to get your strength up a fair bit to even take part. At least with powerlifting you get to choose the weights.

In summary - join a club, go compete.

[FlashHarry]

Hi Magma - I've had very similar thoughts to you. I had a look at the British Barbell website the other day. Looked cool, but my first reaction was to save it until my strength was more respectable. One day though! Would be good to get some proper coaching face to face

[Magma]

I'm a member of the GBPF, done three competitions so far, North Midlands division. I've been to British Barbell once for squad training and although it is a tiny facility, they do have excellent equipment and great coaches. The coaching style will no doubt be a little different from straight SS though.

In terms of when to start competing, your first few competitions are about the experience rather than winning anything, though you can see where you stand by looking at the British qualifiers and divisional records - you'll be masters 1, heading in to masters 2 when you turn 50. Being surrounded by people stronger than you is essential for progression so put your ego aside for little while, and it's not like anyone will point and mock because you deadlift less than them. Overall, I've found the powerlifting atmosphere to be very encouraging and supportive, irrespective of strength levels.

Strongman is cool as well, though even for a novice comp you'll probably have to get your strength up a fair bit to even take part. At least with powerlifting you get to choose the weights.

In summary - join a club, go compete.

Hi yonkyogirl, thanks for your reply. And thanks for your encouragement. It's great to read a post from someone with your experience - and you have been along to British Barbell too, that's great. That's the club I was thinking of going along to. I wrote them an email and got an encouraging reply so I was thinking I might go along to an open session and see what it's all about. After reading your post I'm further encouraged to do that.

I hope I don't sound like I'm trying to run before I walk (literally, I can't run right now!), but I know I'm going to need some solid goals and milestones in place to keep progressing. I've set some lifting/pressing goals which I should hit within the next 1-2 months, but after that I might flag a little if I don't have something to aim for. And as I am sure everyone knows, working out can be a rather lonely activity, so joining with likeminded people could make all the difference.

Do you have any other suggestions for clubs or organisations that might be worth looking into? I thought of the GBPF simply because it was the first thing I found which sounded right, but maybe there are others I should consider?

Thanks again, I think I'll take your advice.

Hi Magma - I've had very similar thoughts to you. I had a look at the British Barbell website the other day. Looked cool, but my first reaction was to save it until my strength was more respectable. One day though! Would be good to get some proper coaching face to face

I think I'll go along to one of their open sessions and see what it's like. I'll post and let you know how I get along and maybe meet you there one session.

[yonkyogirl]

Glad to hear you're going to try it out.

There are quite a few other powerlifting federations in the UK - BPU, BDFPA etc, but the GBPF is the largest and IPF affiliated, which is apparently one of the best international federations around with regard to the standard of lifts and level of competition.

In terms of other clubs, I have heard good things about Bethnal Green, they specialise in Olympic weightlifting I think, as well as powerlifting.

[Magma]

Glad to hear you're going to try it out.

There are quite a few other powerlifting federations in the UK - BPU, BDFPA etc, but the GBPF is the largest and IPF affiliated, which is apparently one of the best international federations around with regard to the standard of lifts and level of competition.

In terms of other clubs, I have heard good things about Bethnal Green, they specialise in Olympic weightlifting I think, as well as powerlifting.

Thanks again, yonkyogirl. I had previously found the Bethnal Green venue, I'm guessing that's the one that has various Crossfit sessions too? I had been thinking of going along one weekend mainly for a form check, but I think the British Barbell would be a better fit for me at the moment. With my achilles injury still in recovery, I can't do power cleans - and those olympic and weightlifting lifts look like they'd be out of bounds to me also. Although the powerlifting standards should all be well within what I am capable of doing, and are closest to what I'm doing on the SS Program. Thanks again for your input here, it's been extremely helpful.

[rlw]

I'd like to enter a meet later this year sometime, but haven't really looked at any feds or anything. Yonko, what was your first time competing like?

[yonkyogirl]

Scary and fun. It really helped that I was part of a club and my coach did all the weight increases and I was with people I knew. If I had to do it unattached, I'm not sure if I would have. Squats are the worst in terms of nerves, but once they've gone well I can relax a little more and enjoy it, it is a great feeling having strangers cheer you on, even if you're lifting the least amount of weight or you fail the lift. And it's good in terms of goal setting and developing a real focus in training.

There are a good few clubs in London, but then I guess London is a huge place. Even if you can only make it to a club once or twice a month, it is definitely worth it for coaching and just being around people who get what you're trying to do. You can fail a lift if you miss a command, so it is really important to be prepared.

There is a GBPF London competition at Bethnal Green, 13th July, and I'm sure you'd total enough for the British in October (Horncastle). The qualifying totals are on the GBPF website. We definitely need more women in the sport!

[rlw]

Unless I've completely misunderstood the chart, I think I've matched the qualifying totals already.

If I actually get enter then I'll make sure I get a chance to train at a proper club/with people who have competed and at least drag a friend along with me.

The July meet might come around too quickly for me (by that I mean by the time I'd be sure whether or not I could go it'd be to late to enter) but I'll keep an eye out for other London meets or South East ones that I might be able to travel to.

Edit:
Just realised the meet's on a Saturday not a Thursday (actually looking at the right month on the calendar is advisable, Rachel) so the prognosis for being able to go just went up. And the closing date for entry is the 1st so I've a bit of time to sort out membership/entry as well.

[yonkyogirl]

Unless I've completely misunderstood the chart, I think I've matched the qualifying totals already.

Yeah, I'm sure they've set the totals much lower for women than for men (well, comparatively), gets more women competing though.

Edit:
Just realised the meet's on a Saturday not a Thursday (actually looking at the right month on the calendar is advisable, Rachel) so the prognosis for being able to go just went up. And the closing date for entry is the 1st so I've a bit of time to sort out membership/entry as well.

Excellent. If you make it to the British it'd be great to meet you, hrat was on about coming down as well.