As a Powerlifter, you’ve probably heard about lat engagement countless times in your ifting journey. Yet, many struggle to understand both the “why” and “how” in applying these cues. Proper lat recruitment ensures efficiency, optimizing your technique and potential in the deadlift. Read to learn how to take your pulls to the next level.

The bench press arch. We’ve all seen it, whether in the gym, or on the ‘gram, and it’s an essential aspect of Powerlifting technique. However, many athletes are not maximizing the position to its fullest, depriving them of their potential in this lift. Read to learn how you can get those extra inches of extension, which translates to extra poundage on the bar.

While most lifters consider the squat a lower-body movement, the truth is, it’s a full-body lift. Your upper back is essential for maintaining proper positioning & ensuring efficiency. If you’re chasing that new PR, don’t make the mistake of neglecting it.

Failed lifts- they’re something you’ll encounter at some point in your Powerlifting career. While missing a rep is certainly discouraging, it can also be a tool to make you better, depending on how you respond to it. Read to learn how you can utilize failures to your advanatage.

The smaller variables of training programs are highly discussed and debated, yet what can become overlooked are the simple habits that truly determine your success. Most athletes are better off spending less energy analyzing exercise selection, and more energy focused on their consistency & quality of work. Read to learn how you can maximize your potential on any program you follow.

Deadlifts. Arguably the best lift in existence. As Powerlifters, we constantly chase our new milestone, in pursuit of picking up more weight. Optimizing your technique can help you achieve just that. Implementing a couple of tweaks to your setup, approach, and position can maximize your efficiency, making for the strongest pull possible. Here are 5 crucial tips to help you accomplish that.

Burnout. It’s a sensation you’ve likely experienced in some facet of life, and one we try to avoid at all costs. This feeling can seep into athletics, even Powerlifting, when stress levels go unchecked. Read to learn how burnout impacts you as an athlete, and what you can do to manage it, so it doesn’t become a long-lasting issue.

Diet culture runs rampant in many aspects of our society & the nutrition space, and as a result, has co-opted the Powerlifting world. Falling into these toxic messages can deter you as an athlete, hindering you from achieving what you’re capable of. Learn which beliefs may be holding you back, and how to re-frame these thoughts so you can continue reaching for more.

Once you’ve caught the meet-day bug, all your heart desires is to step on the platform again. The frequency of competing is a decision that should be individualized, intentional, and thoughtful. With proper guidance and knowledge on the topic, you can be pointed in the right direction for optimal success.

Unilateral movements. While most of us hate doing them, they provide numerous benefits to you, even as a strength athlete. Although their degree of importance is often debated, including single-side work to some degree is in your best interest. Read to learn why, and how to apply it to your training.

Grip strength. It’s an integral aspect of a heavy, maximal-effort deadlift. If you’ve ever failed a pull from grip alone, you know it’s an experience to be avoided. Adjusting aspects of your programming & technique can help ensure your ability to hold on to that bar!

Your first meet experience- it’s a monumental one. How you approach it can determine what you get out of it. With the right tools, you can ensure your first Powerlifting competition is a successful day.

Overloading tools allow you to handle heavier weights than you typically could, on a given lift. While they are a lot of fun, they can also support your strength goals-when used properly. Learn how to incorporate supra-maximal loading, the training purpose it serves, and what mistakes to avoid when doing so, for best possible results.

With bench, just like the other big lifts- while we have general technical standards, individual differences apply. One of these differences is your hand placement on the bar- which can change the mechanics & training effect of the entire movement. Read to learn about these variations, and how to implement this fact into your training, so you can unlock that next bench PR!

The start of the new year provides an opportunity to reflect on months past and determine what’s next in your path. As a strength athlete, you can use this time to set your intentions for future meets, goal numbers, and ways to reach your next level- whatever that may look like. Read below for tips on how to go about this process and make the most out of your 2023!

Here at Ironside, we firmly believe that getting on the platform is an endeavor everyone should undergo. Meet day is for all individuals: it doesn’t discriminate. Many athletes have warped ideas of what competing entails- putting too much pressure on themselves, when in reality, it’s just about reflecting your hard work and how far you’ve come. How you approach the day can determine its outcome- and it’s easy to fall into common misconceptions and lose focus. Read to find out how you can avoid this, to ensure your best performance possible.

Ever wondered what role core work plays in your programming, as a Powerlifter? Read to find out how much of it you need, how to incorporate it, and what movements best support your needs.

There’s a lot of debate around whether overhead pressing truly has a carryover to Powerlifting training- let’s discuss what role it actually plays & how you can incorporate this lift to benefit you as an athlete.

You’ve probably heard from non-lifting circles that lifting heavy will “ruin you” and is essentially, asking for an injury. Is this sentiment actually true? Read to find out.