When most people are asked to conjure up the image of a powerlifter, the first thing that often comes to mind is that of a hulking, overweight man who avoids cardio like the plague.

But Tanner Lepage, the current president of University of Saskatchewan Barbell, an on-campus powerlifting association that promotes powerlifting, would like to see that stereotype laid to rest.

“That’s not true. In reality, powerlifting is a sport for anyone who wants to get stronger. As a matter of fact, the lighter weight classes often have more competitors than the heavier weight classes the majority of the time,” Lepage said. “Powerlifting is a great sport because anyone can do it. Whether a lifter is big or small, male or female, young or old or even disabled, there are categories for everyone to participate in.”

Powerlifting is a sport in which competitors aim to maximize the amount of weight they can move during three main lifts: the squat, bench press and deadlift. In most competitions, the amount of weight that competitors lift is combined into a grand total. The lifter with the highest grand total wins their division, regardless of whether or not they lifted the greatest amount of weight in any of the three lifts.

Powerlifting is a great way to build strength and stay fit.

Lepage has been competitively powerlifting for a year and a half, and members of U of S Barbell compete regularly across Saskatchewan, while some compete nationally and even internationally.

“Some of the biggest benefits of powerlifting include strengthening muscles, bones and joints, improving posture, regulating blood pressure and making new friends,” Lepage said, emphasizing that even non-competitive lifters can still reap these benefits.

According to Lepage, there are just as many female competitors as male competitors at most powerlifting meets, and a third of U of S Barbell consists of female lifters. In fact, the number of male and female competitors at the 2015 and 2016 Canadian Powerlifting Union national competitions was nearly equal.

“It’s great to see more women getting involved in strength sports such as crossfit, powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting and Strongwoman Competitions. Sports like these are shattering the stereotype that women can’t be strong, and soon that stereotype will be a thing of the past,” Lepage said.

Just ask Jessica Beuttner, a member of the U of S track and field team and current member of U of S Barbell. Beuttner started powerlifting roughly two years ago after some encouragement from friends. Since then, she has never looked back and will compete at the 2016 International Powerlifting Federation world championships in Killeen, Texas.

“The first powerlifting meet that I went to was a Saskatchewan provincial meet. I really liked the atmosphere and when I started powerlifting, I turned out to be better at it than I thought, which turned out to be fun,” Beuttner said.

Powerlifting was a natural fit for Beuttner. As a strength athlete competing in shot put and weight throw, part of Beuttner’s training regimen already consisted of plenty of heavy weight lifting.

“The weight training that we do for track is basically a powerlifting program, just add some accessory work and deadlifts. The two work very well together,” Beuttner said.

Beuttner currently competes in the 158-lb. weight category. Her current personal best bench press is 179-lbs., her squat is 357-lbs., and her deadlift is currently 429-lbs. In the future, Beuttner would like to have a 1000-lb. total and be able to deadlift 500-lbs.

Beuttner said that overall there are more male powerlifters than female, but added that the interest and amount of opportunities for women to compete in strength sports is growing.

“I think that women themselves are starting to realize the value of strength training. There are a lot of health benefits to weightlifting. I have type one diabetes and strength training helps me manage that. It contributes to an overall healthy lifestyle,” Beuttner said. “Don’t be afraid to get involved. Even if you don’t end up powerlifting competitively, you’ll benefit from the training.”

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Brenden Palmer / Sports & Health Editor

Photo: imagesbywestfall / Flickr