So, as someone who’s spent the better part of their life under a barbell and now proudly owns a kick-ass strength and conditioning gym, I felt it’s about time I spilled the beans on how our beloved powerlifting sport came to be. Grab a protein shake, sit back, and let’s take a trip down memory lane!
Old School Gains
Way before our gym-rat days, the ancient peeps were into their own lifting games. Think Greeks flexing with boulders and Vikings swinging whatever they could find that was heavy. Guess our ancestors were all about that swole life too!
Rockin’ the 20th Century
Fast forward to the rock-n-roll days of the 20th century. Bodybuilding was the rage, but there were a bunch of us who just wanted to see how damn heavy they could go. Throughout the 50s and 60s, “odd lift” showdowns became a thing. But it was clear – squats, deadlifts, and bench press were where the action was. 1965? Boom! The U.S. had its first powerlifting championship. Talk about a party.
Gear Up or Stay Raw?
Man, the times changed and so did the gear. Back in my early lifting days, they made do with what we had. But then these fancy suits and shirts popped up, claiming to help you lift even more. Some loved it, others went all purist saying, “I’m a raw lifter, bro!” Hence, the age-old gym debate was born.
Taking Over the World!
The 70s and 80s? Powerlifting was catching fire globally! Federations left and right, with rules as varied as my old mixtapes. Big shoutout to the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) – holding it down since ’73.
Ladies Bringing the Power
Initially, powerlifting was like an old boys’ club. But the 70s saw some badass women stepping up to the plate. By 1978, women were officially in the game with their own championship. And man, have they been crushing it or what?!
Social Media Flexing
These days, with the whole internet thing, powerlifting’s gone viral! The gram, YouTube, you name it. We’re all sharing our PRs, fails, and everything in between. Makes me wish we had this back in the day. Would’ve loved to share my young-gun lifts with more than just the regulars at the gym.
Wrapping It Up
There you have it, guys. From ancient bros to modern lifters, powerlifting’s been quite the ride. It’s more than a sport; it’s a lifestyle. Whether you’re a newbie or been at it since the cassette tape days like yours truly, powerlifting’s history is a wild one, and I’m just stoked to be a part of it. Keep lifting, fam! ????