Introducing Powerlifting

Hi again Female Muscle Fans. Now we want to focus Female Strenght in a new point. In this case is powerlifting that we are going to talk about as a new proposal  All strong women have this page as a space in which they can share with fans and all users their experiences in this sports practice. So let's begin with the subject.

Powerlifting

Powerlifting is considered a sports based in strenght, according with data gathered from Stone Age, dead weight already had been lifted in those times, with objects like logs and stones. The practices of this sports began in the end of 50´s decade of 20th century, in bodybuilding gyms of the United States. At the start of this discipline, it was a way to show the evolution of strength without carrying out the complicated movements of weightlifting, because it was comfortable to do the three movements of this sports that are squats, bench press and deadweight. In powerlifting is necessary to work out all muscular groups, which meant that the athletes were every time stronger and a more muscular aspect. Later, small tournaments begin to emerge various gyms to compete with each other, until the mid-sixties begins the first national competition of the United States. In that time, powerlifting arrives to Europe, but exclusively to some gyms in England, that thing led to the first world championship in 1971. The tournament had the participation of athletes from the USA and England, being the start of the championship. A year later, at November 11th of 1972 is founded the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) in Pennsylvania. The evolution was slow, but it had an expansion for Europe, and in May 14th of 1977 is founded the European Powerlifting Federation. In Birmingham, England is celebrated the first European championship, and later in April of 1978 is expanding to the remaining continents. The IPF has with more of 75 subscribed countries.

Weight Category

In women: 44 kgs, 46 kgs, 52 kgs, 56 kgs, 60 kgs, 67.5 kgs, 75 kgs, 82.5 kgs and 90 kgs.

In men: 52 kgs, 56 kgs, 60 kgs, 67.5 kgs, 75 kgs, 82.5 kgs, 90 kgs, 100 kgs, 110 kgs and 125 kgs.

Powerlifting Characteristics

Powerlifting is a strength sports consisting of three events: Bench Press, Dead Weight and squats. The first competitions of modern powerlifting began in 1960's decade, and is for both sexes. Unlike weightlifting, where the movements are performed from the floor towards the head, the power movements are much shorter, although both sports require great physical strength. Weightlifting is a sports where technique and force-speed are used much more, and in powerlifting maximum force is used more.

Powerlifting is recognized by International Olympic Committee (IOC), although it has not been recognized inside the Olympic Games competitions, but it already has participated in Paralympic Games.

Powerlifting competitive exercises

Squats: High bar squats, 1/2 squats, press, quadriceps extension, femoral curl, leg scissors with push-ups and squat plus calves.

Bench Press: Inclined press, parallel funds, nape or military press, closed press, inverted press, dumbbell press (chest) and biceps-triceps and rowing.

Deadweight: Hyperextensions, shoulder shrugs, dominations, rowing bar, bicep curl, straight leg deadlift and gluteal hyperextensions.

There are also other training methods that are usually used, such as negative series, which consists of supporting the weight during the eccentric phase of the exercise for a certain time. The isometric system is done with an immobile bar that is placed at a certain height and is attempted to be lifted. The best thing for this system is to use a training cage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now here are images to show each one of the 3 moves.

Squats

Bench Press

Deadlift

Regulation

Although in the powerlifting events are always competed in squats, bench presses and deadlifts, federations have different rules and interpretations of them, resulting in a great deal of variations. The ADAU and the 100% RAW Federation don't allow to use help attire to lifters whereas the IPF and the Amateur Athletic Union, only allow a tight-fitting one-fold squat shirt, deadlift or bench, wristbands and kneepads, and a belt. Other federations, such as IPA and WPO, allow open-back or closed-back bench shirts, multi-pleated clothing, and a host of equipment. In a bench press in the IPF, the bar can be lowered as low as possible to the lower part of the sternum, while in other federations the bar can touch the abdomen. This shortens the distance, making lifting easier.

Squat regulation

Null movement causes

1.- Don't following the central judge signals to begin or end a lifting.

2.- Bouncing or making more than one attempt to recover the position from the lowest part of lifting.

3.- Not achieving an upright position, with knees straight, both at the beginning and at the end of the lift.

4.- Any movement of the feet laterally, backward or forward during the execution of the lift.

5.- Do not bend the knees and lower the body until the hips, are below the highest part of the knees.

6.- Change the position of the bar, over the shoulders, after starting the lift.

7.- Contact of the bar with the auxiliaries during the movement.

8.- Contact of the arms or elbows with the legs, during the movement.

9.- Failure to make a good faith attempt to return the bar to the supports after the lift.

10.- Any drop from the bar before, during or after the move.

Bench Press regulation

Null movement causes

1.- Don't following the central judge signals to begin or end a lifting.

2.- Weighing or bouncing the bar over the chest.

3.- Don't stop the bar on the chest.

4.- Any lowering of the bar during the course of the lift.

5.- Not achieving full extension of the arms at the end of the lift.

6.- Lifting shoulders or glutes of the bench during the movement.

7.- Contact of the bar with auxiliaries during the movement.

8.- Any contact with of lifter's feet with the bench.

9.- Deliberate contact of bar with supports to make easier the lift.

Dead weight regulation

Null movement causes

1.- Any downward movement of the bar before reaching the final position.

2.- Don't lock the knees at the end of the movement.

3.- Support the bar with thighs during the lift.

4.- Making a step backward or forward once the movement has started.

5.- Lowing the bar before receiving the central judge signal.

6.- Returning the bar to the platform without keeping it controlled with both hands.

That's all for this subject, and this is your space for all female powerlifters who want to appear in this page. Any idea, comment or suggestions you can write to the next e-mail address: femalemusclefanforever@gmail.com. See you next time Female Muscle Fans.