Before I joined a powerlifting gym, I thought I knew what it felt like to lift heavy weights.
After all, Im an avid exerciser.
During that first class, we practiced deadlifts.
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(Do not do this at home, by the way.
Never lift more than what it’s possible for you to with proper form!)
In fact, it was so heavy that I really had nothing to compare it to.
I attempted to drive my body upwards.
Taking a deep breath, I tried once more.
My hamstrings, quads, and arms felt like they were on fire.
Even more shocking than howheavythe barbell was?
I was able to lift it.
Then I lifted it again.
Or was that just in movies?
Its not that I was new to fitness or working out or even pushing myself.
But once I stopped playing soccer, I stopped associating working out with feeling talented and powerful.
Of course, what little Id known about powerlifting up until that point seemed less than appealing.
Powerlifters were those massive dudes whod slam their weights on the gym floor and grunt, right?
Or theyd converge in dark, dank, concrete basement gyms where women arent exactly expected or welcome.
In other words, powerlifting seemed like a total boys club.
Beyond that, I didnt have a clue what I was doing.
Still, driven to revive my relationship with fitness, I opted to give powerlifting a try.
Despite my fears, I signed up for a trial session.
And then I got hooked.
Each week, Id feel myself getting stronger as I added more and more plates to the bar.
As I gripped the bar, I could feel something was off, but I wasnt sure what.
Nothing hurt per se, but something feltwrong.
There have been many times Ive done a cardio workout on an empty stomach and felt just fine.
Powerlifting has also allowed me to experience an entirely new state of mind during exercise.
Ugh, Im so bored.
Shootanother Slack notification from work.
Should I stop and check it?
Are people noticing the way I look in these leggings?
Why does this gym stream exclusively Fox News?
For example, my daily workout might consist of a total of 10 squats.
Plus, theres no timer in powerlifting.
I finish my reps and sets when I finishmy reps and sets.
And truly, thats solely because I never tried.
