Find out about Emily’s passion for powerlifting
Hi! My name is Emily, I’m 25 and I live in Sheffield.
My favourite sport is powerlifting – it’s a strength sport that consists of three attempts at maximal weight on three lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift. I've always had an interest in sport and strength training complements a lot of different activities. I've always been very active - I'm neurodivergent so exercise is a very important part of my routine to stay regulated.
When I first joined the gym that a few of my friends went to, I saw a lot of people lifting weights, thought “wow, I wish I could do that” - it looked really fun. When I first tried it, my personal trainer introduced me to the equipment and taught me about proper form and technique. I was surprised by how strong I was and the sense of achievement I felt when I did something I didn't think I could do only made me want to do it more! Also, as a woman, I feel like physical strength was not expected of me and I enjoy challenging those stereotypes.
When I first joined a gym, I was nervous to go into the weights section. It was mainly men working out in this section and I was worried I would look stupid if I didn't know what I was doing. I was also concerned about how my body would begin to look if I started lifting. I am no longer embarrassed about looking strong and now when I walk into the weights room or my powerlifting gym, I feel confident and like I belong there. It's important to remember that you have just as much right to use that space as anyone else, beginner or not. There are also lots of gyms that have girls/female-only sessions which some girls and women prefer.
About a year after beginning weightlifting, I discovered powerlifting by chance! When my usual gym was closed for refurbishment, I found another gym and it was for powerlifters. They invited me for a trial and suggested I apply for a scholarship. I now have a scholarship, am coached at the gym for free and will be competing for the first time in August this year.
When I began powerlifting, I instantly felt like I had found something I was passionate about. I think a lot of that has to do with my team and the connections I have formed. They all made me feel welcome and like I fit in.
I have struggled with my mental health for the majority of my life. When I go to the gym and hit a new personal best or do something I haven't done before it reminds me how capable I am and that, 9 times out of 10, my own mind is the barrier to my success. When I continually overcome these obstacles in my mind through training, it changes the way I think and allows me to see general setbacks in life from a new perspective too. This has really helped me to grow as a person and trust that I am strong enough to handle any challenge, inside and outside of the gym. Powerlifting makes me feel stronger than I ever thought I was.
As well as weightlifting/powerlifting, I enjoy yoga, running, kickboxing, snowboarding and swimming. Lifting weights is great but I think it's important to incorporate other ways of moving your body into your routine as well to help support your joints, cardiovascular system and mind.
My main advice for getting active or starting a new sport is to try anything and everything you think you might enjoy! You won't be instantly good at everything but it's important to remember that everyone was a beginner at one point. This is very much the case with powerlifting as the average woman doesn't peak in strength until they're about 35! It's a genuine life skill to be able to enjoy a hobby without needing to always be the best at it.
If you are interested in getting in involved in weightlifting or powerlifting, make sure to take advice from someone knowledgeable about the sport, like a personal trainer, who knows what they are doing and can give you accurate guidance, rather than conflicting advice found online. To help keep you safe when lifting weights, be careful not to push yourself beyond what you are capable of at that time and make sure that you have someone with you to ‘spot’ you (support you with your lift).
Remember that your strength will fluctuate with your menstrual cycle and everyone's bodies have different proportions so the way one person's squat/deadlift/bench press looks, may not be the quite the same way yours looks and that's ok, as long as you are moving safely.
Emily 😊
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