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2.5 years from Newbie Lifter to International Powerlifter


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Well, it’s finally official. I’ve waited a long time knowing but not being allowed to announce this!

I started on NF having pretty much never touched a barbell but loved Spezzy’s story and was desperate to start lifting and today I have officially been selected to go to my first international powerlifting championships within the IPF. I think that makes me the first Nerd to go from newbie lifter to international competitor (Tankweazel was already international elite by the time she joined).

I will be representing Scotland at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in Richmond, BC, Canada (near Vancouver) from 30 November to 6 December 2015 (probably lifting 2 December).
 

  • I started, as many of us do, as a newbie to fitness.
  • I did my first powerlifting competition in February 2014.
  • I was Scottish Unequipped and Senior -63kg Champion 2014.
  • I went to my first British Championships in September 2014 and came 7th in my weight class.
  • I represented Scotland in the Four Nations (Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales) Championships in November 2014.
  • I’m currently ranked around 17th in the UK, 3rd in Scotland and now, NOW, I’m going to my first ever international powerlifting championships.

Three years ago, I was still recovering from Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome and now I train every day without fear. My life has absolutely turned around and the support of friends, family and, last but not least, Nerds here on NerdFitness!

 

Not only that, but I finally got my certification through from my Fitness Instructor training so I should be able to start a powerlifting club at work to help other lifters get started. :D

 

I'll be in Vancouver from 28 November to 6 December, Seattle 7-9 December and Boston 9-12 September if anyone wants to meet up!

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Sweet! Go kick some ass and lift some weights.

 

Question: I know the rules for raw (same as unequipped, yes? no?) varies by organization, how was it for you? What kind of gear, if any, do you use?

Level 13 Shape-shifting Warrior Monk

STR:45 | DEX:18 | STA:10 | CON:37 | WIS:37 | CHA:27

The stronger the body the more it obeys, the weaker the body the more it commands. -- Siegmund Klein

Battle Log : MFP : Instagram : Challenges - 1, 23456789101112

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Sweet! Go kick some ass and lift some weights.

 

Question: I know the rules for raw (same as unequipped, yes? no?) varies by organization, how was it for you? What kind of gear, if any, do you use?

 

Raw, Classic and Unequipped boil down to the same thing (no supportive suits or shirts). IPF Classic (unequipped) allows for a belt (to very strict regulations and limited brands), neoprene knee sleeves (again, strictly regulated) and wrist wraps (see the previous two). No knee wraps and everything you wear is pretty strictly regulated.

 

I wear an Inzer singlet, Rehband or SBD sleeves (just got the SBDs), a Wahlander belt (although I've got a Titan coming too) and Nike Romaleos weightlifting shoes for squats and Chucks for deadlifts.

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Yay!!!! Congratulations!! :)

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Raw, Classic and Unequipped boil down to the same thing (no supportive suits or shirts). IPF Classic (unequipped) allows for a belt (to very strict regulations and limited brands), neoprene knee sleeves (again, strictly regulated) and wrist wraps (see the previous two). No knee wraps and everything you wear is pretty strictly regulated.

 

I wear an Inzer singlet, Rehband or SBD sleeves (just got the SBDs), a Wahlander belt (although I've got a Titan coming too) and Nike Romaleos weightlifting shoes for squats and Chucks for deadlifts.

 

I see, interesting. So you wear flat shoes for deadlifts, why is that? Just curious, I have heard things about weightlifting shoes being good and bad for deadlifts, 

Level 13 Shape-shifting Warrior Monk

STR:45 | DEX:18 | STA:10 | CON:37 | WIS:37 | CHA:27

The stronger the body the more it obeys, the weaker the body the more it commands. -- Siegmund Klein

Battle Log : MFP : Instagram : Challenges - 1, 23456789101112

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I see, interesting. So you wear flat shoes for deadlifts, why is that? Just curious, I have heard things about weightlifting shoes being good and bad for deadlifts, 

 

The thinner and more rigid the sole, the better. It is about stability and force transfer. Thin shoe or socks, it doesn't matter much other than preference. Don't worry about it too much. Once you get to SS's level, you will know which works for you.

 

The more space between your foot and the floor, the less stable you are. Check out this hilarity in case you haven't seen it already.

 

PlEq2GC.gif

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The thinner and more rigid the sole, the better. It is about stability and force transfer. Thin shoe or socks, it doesn't matter much other than preference. Don't worry about it too much. Once you get to SS's level, you will know which works for you.

Plus, in some federations (like IPF) you're required to wear shoes or deadlift slippers.

The more space between your foot and the floor, the less stable you are. Check out this hilarity in case you haven't seen it already.

PlEq2GC.gif

Ewww+no+gif+to+Ryan+stripping.gif

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The thinner and more rigid the sole, the better. It is about stability and force transfer. Thin shoe or socks, it doesn't matter much other than preference. Don't worry about it too much. Once you get to SS's level, you will know which works for you.

 

The more space between your foot and the floor, the less stable you are. Check out this hilarity in case you haven't seen it already.

 

PlEq2GC.gif

 

 

Plus, in some federations (like IPF) you're required to wear shoes or deadlift slippers.

Ewww+no+gif+to+Ryan+stripping.gif

 

I hope you guys don't think I lift in heels, lol. I've got some Do-Wins that I am rather partial to now. 

Other than the specifications of an organization, would even the height of a weightlifting shoe be disadvantageous against the chucks for deadlifts? I'm getting a feeling the answer is yes, but just checking because #dumb. My deadlift could use all the help it can get.

Level 13 Shape-shifting Warrior Monk

STR:45 | DEX:18 | STA:10 | CON:37 | WIS:37 | CHA:27

The stronger the body the more it obeys, the weaker the body the more it commands. -- Siegmund Klein

Battle Log : MFP : Instagram : Challenges - 1, 23456789101112

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I hope you guys don't think I lift in heels, lol. I've got some Do-Wins that I am rather partial to now.

Other than the specifications of an organization, would even the height of a weightlifting shoe be disadvantageous against the chucks for deadlifts? I'm getting a feeling the answer is yes, but just checking because #dumb. My deadlift could use all the help it can get.

Yes, it's adding to your range of motion on top of anything else.

My deadlifts are nothing special, though. They could and should be a lot higher.

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Yes, it's adding to your range of motion on top of anything else.

My deadlifts are nothing special, though. They could and should be a lot higher.

 

I do also have Converses, so adding a slight gear change is no biggie. Especially not if I can 1x5 180 finally....*coughs*

 

You're an IPF lifter now, so that has to be motivation if there ever was such a thing. That said, I think you're awesome all the way around and definitely chasing your numbers (from quite a distance yet). 

Level 13 Shape-shifting Warrior Monk

STR:45 | DEX:18 | STA:10 | CON:37 | WIS:37 | CHA:27

The stronger the body the more it obeys, the weaker the body the more it commands. -- Siegmund Klein

Battle Log : MFP : Instagram : Challenges - 1, 23456789101112

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SCORE!!!

Way-2-go!

 

Thanks, Dilnad!

 

Nicely done SS.  Hell, I've thought you were pretty damn elite for awhile now, but great to here you are getting recognition in the IPF world stage now.  Good luck!  Make sure to let us know the live stream stuff and all the goodies!

 

You're a star, Rooks! :D I'm pretty sure it'll be Goodlift streaming, as it's an IPF international, but I'll let you know. :)

 

Wonder if I'll ever get a special NF title like Tanky does...

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