As Powerlifters, our sport is inherently more controlled and less unstable than that of other athletes. Yet, we never have complete control over every variable. That is simply the nature of being a participant in a competitive sport- and is part of why we embark on this endeavor in the first place. Your goal is to train for the unpredictable, possessing the ability to adapt to any arising obstacle.

Stress is an unavoidable aspect of life for any human, and in turn, athlete. Its implications on training performance can vary, but is an essential component worth addressing. Circumstances outside of the gym can impact you inside of it, in both positive and negative applications- depending on how you frame it.

Your setup during a squat, down to where the bar rests on your back, can determine your execution, positioning, and performance during the movement. High Bar and Low Bar both have their individual advantages- with the former being a great fundamental movement to begin from, and the latter being a more competitive Powerlifitng movement. Understand the attributes of both to optimize your performance in each.

Peaking: it’s the training phase we all look forward to in the depths of our grueling volume work. It’s an exciting, yet emotional and potentially unpredictable time. A well-designed peaking program is essential in guaranteeing your meet success, and beyond that, how you control your variables will also determine your performance.

Incontinence is a highly prevalent issue among many female & uterus-having athletes. Many myths exist around this topic- with undeducated individuals claiming that either “women shouldn’t be lifting that much,” we should “avoid the Valsalva,” or that it’s completely normal and there’s nothing you can do about it. Many factors contribute to this experience, and some are within your control. Read to learn how to potentially decrease your symptoms, and always speak to a relevant practitioner about any concerns.

Sumo Deadlifts- hated by some, loved by others, but an undoubtedly important aspect of Powerliftng technique. Many lifters butcher it, costing them pounds on their deadlifts (and their total). Sumo is an entirely different lift from Conventional, and much be treated as such. Read to learn the intracacies of this movement, and how to approach it.

One of the most common questions asked by new Powerlifters revolves around the equipment requirements for participation. While the barrier to entry in this case is relatively low, there are a few tools, as a Raw lifter, that will help your performance on the platform, as well as guidelines outlined by your federation. Read to find out what’s necessary, and what to skip on.

Volume sets, they’re vehemently disliked by every Powerlifter out there. Yet, we all know that volume work is the “broccoli” of our training programs, a necessary evil. A potential alternate path to the pure suck of high-rep sets is Reverse Volume- where the sets increase and the reps stay low. It’s a training method with distinct benefits to you as an athlete, and one worth including in your programming.

Weak, shaky, grindy, inconsistent lockouts- it’s an outcome we all want to avoid, because it potentially deprives us of those glorious white lights on the platform. While many will chalk this issue up to genuine weakness/strength deficits, often, it’s due to underlying errors in positioning. Read to learn what these common mistakes are, and how you can guarantee yourself a successfully clean rep.

As Powerlifters, heavy, high-effort singles are our bread and butter. Yet, we all know the importance of rep work to actually build that high-end strength. There’s something to be said for practicing those max-effort qualities, even outside of a peaking phase. This method should be used deliberately and with intention, to ensure your greatest possible success.

Meet day, it’s the conclusion of all of our efforts, the single event that drives every rep in each training session leading up. With all of the anticipation and pressure surrounding the platform, actually stepping onto it can feel intimidating. Adequate preparation & expectation setup-mentally-can help set you up for success on this monumental day.

While Powerlifitng is often minimized to “squat, bench, deadlift” -and heavy singles, at that, the truth is- we are athletes, too. Developing a general base in a variety of qualities is essential to your long-term success. GPP should be the foundation of your journey, and the composition of your off-season, read to find out why.

“Backoff” sets: they’re the boring chorework you gotta do after you have fun. Yet, they’re an intentional and essential component of quality programming, particularly during certain phases. Don’t neglect or rush through your lighter work, if you truly want to be the best athlete possible.

As Powerlifters, we tie ourself to our SBD PRs- they’re an objective determiner of success. Yet, outside of peaking/testing phases, this shortsighted view of “progress” can leave you feeling discouraged & dissatisfied. Instead, look for the PRs within your rep work, and you’ll realize all the gains you are making.

Meet day. It’s the definitive, transformative, reflective experience that guides us as athletes. Every Powerlifter out there wants to produce the most success possible- we all know that. Yet, many are ignorant to the optimal method when it comes to strategizing attempt selection. Understanding the mindset behind these numbers can help you perform at your highest potential where it counts.

Weight cuts have become an experience far too common in Powerlifting, especially for newer athletes. The reality is, cutting weight often produces the opposite intended outcome, and derails your strength potential. Read to find out why it’s so strongly discouraged- and a better solution to develop yourself as an athlete.

We all know about the importance of utilizing your legs for a more efficient bench press. Yet, many athletes struggle to connect and apply this technique, ultimately costing them their strength. Gaining a better understanding of what leg drive is & how to execute it can support you in your quest to bench more plates.

Grindy, max-effort lifts. As strength athletes, it’s our bread and butter, the craving we seek to fulfill on the platform. Yet, a misunderstanding among lifters lies in the conditions that express strength vs. those that build it. Training rep work with less-than-maximal percentges is highly underrated- read to learn why.