New Page 1

"The Bar Is Loaded"

Fred Ashford

Hit Counter

Introduction by Rich Peters-

I’m introducing a new opinion column with a historical perspective by masters lifter Fred Ashford.

I met Fred Ashford through a letter he wrote to me in 1985. Fred had just returned to New Mexico from a two year mining project in Illinois where he was introduced to powerlifting. He inquired about the closest meet. I decided it was high time to venture west. I scheduled a meet in Fred’s backyard. Although the stories differ depending on who’s talking, the bottom line is Fred bombed in the squat! But, Mr. Ashford soon got his lifting in line and competed in over 22 meets and supported over 47 meets from 1985 to 1991. Fred won State, National and World titles and posted his best lifts as a 242 pounder – 749 lb. squat, 451 lb. bench, and 633 lb. deadlift. Fred was the USPF State chairman, the USPF National Athlete’s representative of 1988; the 1^st NASA records chairman; and a NASA meet director, judge and spotter (sometimes simultaneously). Fred returned to the sport in 1994 to win the sub-masters division at worlds. Since then the rumors of his death have been greatly exaggerated and after 15 years away he has returned to the sport he loves. You will soon see him on the powersport platform.

Fred is a trusted friend and great supporter of all of you in NASA. He has valuable insight into the history and changes the sport has experienced and I have asked him to share. Of course these are only opinions and viewpoints.

I bring you the monthly installments of: "The Bar Is Loaded"

#8 - STRATEGERY

Some of you may already know this but I am an avid Harley rider – have been for over 20 years. I like the long rides – 500 mile days over 5 to 6 days. I build my vacations around these rides. I love it. I’m a solo rider 99% of the time. There are other types of riders out there: the weekend warrior (self-explanatory) and the 1%er (one-percenter). The “1%er” is a phrase originated by the AMA (American Motorcycle Association) to separate the 99% of law-abiding bikers from the mere 1% outlaws; hence the term – 1%er. It has become somewhat of a term of endearment among bikers.

Well, there are a group of 1%ers in powerlifting as well. These are the ultra-strong, well-seasoned athletes who skirt the edge of sanity to break American and World records. These lifters have bench shirts so well fitted that 1/8 of an inch either way they are out of the groove and miss the press. These folks require the assistance of a coach to call them up on depth – not wanting to give away one inch in a squat. I love watching them. There is a thin line between an all-time American record and total disaster. It makes for great drama. If you are one of these 1%ers this column isn’t for you. Please feel free to enjoy the reading but I do realize this is not applicable to your approach. However, if you like me fall into the remaining 99% of the lifters in NASA – read on.

I’ve been in this game on and off for about 25 years now. I’ve faithfully watched

Mr. Peters video series (I first bought them on beta), and my experiences include lifting, loading, spotting, judging (NASA, USPF and IPF) and announcing. I’ve seen great lifters come and great lifters go. Oh, and I literally bombed out of my first five meets.

Today my goal is 9-for-9. My first meet back I went 8-for-9 missing my third attempt bench. I still agonize over that miss. I set up wrong and should have opened lighter.

If you’ve read my columns you know I don’t much care for blogs and logs. I don’t think folks share the whole story. I’m also not big on advice in the gym. I never approach other lifters and will answer with brutal honesty when asked….. “Hey dude, you powerlift – how’s my form?” “Four inches high, your head is down and your hips are locked ‘cause your feet point straight”. “Uh, no, I meant for the gym – how’s my form?”

I don’t even know how to answer that. I’m not in competition with the trainers who teach “air board” benches, partial squats and what looks like a cross between deadlifting and rows. It’s not my bag man. But, for the powerlifter who asks about platform strategy – now that I have a little energy on.

Through trial, error and observation I have learned the old axiom to be true: lifters bomb for one reason – they open too heavy. No doubt about it. But why? There in, my friends, (and with my apologies to ‘W’) lies the strategery!

In my humble opinion there are five primary and two thousand secondary reasons why a lifter opens too heavy.

Reason One: Overtraining. I remember bombing out of my first meet in 1986. I opened on the squat with 661 in my champion squat suit. I missed depth on the first attempt and the second and third buried me. I couldn’t understand it. I hit 735 for a double just one week prior.

Reason Two: Form. All you have to do is watch youtube and listen to training partners exclaim to the lifter how deep their three inch high squat was. You should be able to pull splinters, pause for five seconds and almost powerclean your three openers.

Reason Three: Predetermined lifts. You go to a meet with a number in mind.

Reason Four: The weights in your gym are light.

Reason Five: Cutting weight.

Reason Six through Two-thousand: My wife and I fought the night before. I rode the harley in for the meet. I’m sick. I’m in OKC away from the wife and there’s too much to do (re: drink) the night before, etc., etc., etc.

It didn’t take a lot of thought to narrow down the reasoning. They are almost self-evident. So.. what’s a lifter to do?

I’m not going to spend a whole-lot-of-time on training. My training is very specific to me, my body type, my lifestyle and my approach to the sport. These are all factors you and/or your coach should be using in designing a lifting program. I will say this though: squats and deadlifts are so taxing that you need a good ten days to recuperate prior to a meet. And, a good rule of thumb Mr. Adelmann shared with me about seventeen years ago is to stay at 4 or 5 reps on these last workouts and open with that weight. Works every time. I think I’ve stated it before – I’m not a trainer. I am, however, a platform strategist.

Let’s start with meet day. The first thing you should do is overpack your gym bag. It never fails and you can bet money on someone scrounging for a singlet or deadlift socks right after the rules meeting. Don’t be ‘that’ guy. It doesn’t much bug anyone else. Heck, you’re in NASA. What’s mine is yours. It just distracts you from focusing on your lifts.

Now the first lift – squats. Open with a weight you can sink deeeeeeep. I’ve seen world-class lifters require a ‘call up’ on their openers. You and I shouldn’t need it.

Listen, don’t get all twisted. I know there are some folks who go to a meet specifically to set a record in the squat. It is their intent, their entry-fee and God bless them. I have no problems at all with this. They are the 1%ers I mentioned earlier and I do enjoy watchin’. But for us our strategy should be built upon nailing our openers and building momentum throughout the day. It’s fun. A helluva lot funner than bombing.

The bench again should be a lift you can nail with any pause. And, if you are an equipped lifter, you should know your gear. I lift raw and I’m still amazed at the carry-over some of this gear gives folks. Still don’t make them bad people. What does give me pause (pun intended) is guys benching in a new shirt. Never used – never trained in. How do you determine your opener? I could also cover the deadlift but it would be redundant. I can tell you this though – if you weigh in with pre-determined third attempts written down in the gym bag – you’re heading for a rough day.

Lifting is funny sometimes. There are days when you should be at your worst (dog tired, boss yelled, etc.) yet you lift your best. And, the reverse can also be true. That’s just how it goes. So those third attempts usually start in the warm-up area. You get a true feel for how the lift will go. If you’ve set in stone your attempts, it’s difficult to adjust on a sub-par day. But, if you adjust properly and set your sights on what is in you on that day, you have a good chance of hitting all your lifts.

I can tell you this – there is a tremendous sense of mojo that comes from going 9-for-9. There is a renewed energy in the gym. You feel like you got your money’s worth on the platform. You walk away giving a good account of yourself. And most of all, you were honest with the guy in the mirror. There are the 1% who will out-class the field with a 3-for-9 day. But for the rest of us, a perfect day is meeting new friends, walking away injury free, and getting all our lifts in.

Try in next meet. Set your goals and adjust you weights after warm-up to effectively go 9-for-9. How’d that feel? Write me at thebarisloaded@hotmail.com. I’d be very interested in your experience.

See you at the Tom Manno Memorial on May 1^st. This meet will soon be the biggest in Arizona!

#7 - I want to be like Tom

I returned to the lifting platform after a 15 year lay-off on November 8^th at the Masters Nationals in Mesa, Arizona. I had about 2 months of decent training under my belt and what I thought was a new and improved attitude. In the late eighties and early nineties I would concern myself more with my competition: where was I going to place; what did they lift on their openers; what will they attempt next; what suit are they using, etc., etc. Today I boast a new attitude – one that I was proud of: lift for me. Get the lifts I want and enjoy the sport of powerlifting and powersports for the pure joy of it. Compete against myself and father time. That was before the start of the Masters. By the end of that day my attitude and approach to the sport changed dramatically.

My lifting itself wasn’t much to brag about. I make no excuses and it’s a long road back. But, I did go 8 for 9 raw and surprised myself in the deadlift. It was that deadlift and the catalyst leading up to my third pull that permanently changed my perspective. I didn’t realize it at the time but that deadlift started the night before the meet.

This was a two-day event and I spent the first day announcing and judging a flight. This is a significant change in and of itself. Fifteen years prior I would have loaded and spotted on day one. Ah, the benefits of age and rank! After day one and during weigh-ins I had the fortunate opportunity to commiserate and fellowship with lifters from both days. I talked at length with Rich kahle on the form and function of lifting; the ‘old days’ in New Mexico; and weight loss strategy. I bragged to anyone within ear-shot about my son Dallas - the USMC recruit who was in the middle of phase 1 boot camp at the Marine Corp Recruiting Depot in San Diego. I re-united with a dear old friend from Arizona – Earl Evatt. I remember when Earl first showed up at NASA events and was overjoyed to see how active he remained in the organization. And, I had the great fortune to spend 15 minutes in conversation with Tom Manno.

Tom and Diane Manno have been gracious hosts of this meet for several years. They would set up a spread of food and drink for all during Saturday evening’s check-in. Tom would spend his time talking, laughing and encouraging lifters. This Saturday evening was indeed special. Tom and Diane came in to the room and the illumination of the lights brightened significantly. Tom was valiantly determined to be the Tom that everyone knew and loved. Tom spent time with individuals in the room as well as small groups. For the next two hours Tom shared of himself to all. I was spellbound by his presence. No one saw a man beaten down by a hideous disease. We all seen Tom for what he is: a man larger that life. You see, Tom’s strength wasn’t found in his 710 lb. World Record bench – Tom’s strength lied in his uncanny ability to leave everyone feeling better – period. For those who knew Tom, you know exactly what I mean.

I went to sleep that evening thinking about what a wonderful experience. I also thought this may be the last time I see Tom. There is no way he will have the energy to show up tomorrow. I felt blessed and lucky to have spent time with him earlier that evening. I was wrong about his energy. As the lifting progressed into the 2^nd round of squats, Mr. Manno walked through the door. And, by the time we proceeded to the bench on flight B platform, Tom was sitting in the head referee’s chair! For as long as I live I will never, ever forget the time me, Nico and Jay spent benching on the platform judged by Tom Manno. Nico had returned from shoulder surgery and was experiencing sporadic training sessions. However, the presence of Mr. Manno in the chair inspired Nico to a raw bench of 430 – a good 20 lbs. more than even he expected.

The meet proceeded along as meets do and it was time to deadlift. I had pulled 545 x 2 in training two weeks prior. I felt 556 was within my grasp. As I waited for my deadlift opener I engaged in conversation with Mr. Evatt. Earl recalled with a gleam in his eye how he always remembered my 600 pull in 1994 after a 3 year layoff (in 1994 I had returned from my first layoff of the sport – 3 years. I trained for a little under 6 months and was able to pull 600 in a first generation squat suit).

I struggled through 2 attempts – all whites though – on this Sunday (529 & 556). I came to the conclusion that I had been training without a belt and competing with a belt was throwing me off (given the fact that I sport a ‘husky’ mid-section). I tossed the belt aside. I seen Earl was a side judge. Earl Evatt was NASA’s Athlete of the Year in 2007. Since that time Earl has undergone knee-replacement surgery and is battling a crippling hip condition. I decided it was time to man-up. I asked for 600 lbs. on the bar and dedicated the lift to Earl. I do realize that I’m early in my training and 600 lbs. constitutes only a fair lift for a 275lber. But, in my book, powerlifting is anyone who attempts max effort on their third attempt. I don’t care what the weight is. You have my undying respect at that point.

I’ve always struggled with clarity of thought concerning the deadlift. It has really never felt right – just pulling without ‘feeling’ the weight first. That Sunday during the Masters Nationals was the exception. As I approached the bar I thought of three things: the challenge facing my son in phase I boot camp; Earl Evatt’s support of NASA and me personally; and the incredibly valiant struggle of Tom Manno. I grabbed hold of the bar, raised my head into position and glanced forward only to see Tom in the audience. Tom stood. There it was – clarity. I had only one choice – stand. And I did. And it was in that lift that my approach changed. Powerlifting wasn’t just about me competing against myself. Or, at least, it doesn’t have to be. It can be about friendship, about encouragement, about giving freely, about making other lifters feel, well, better.

I want to be like Tom. No, I’ll never bench 710 lbs. I don’t care if you wrap me in a seven-ply shirt – it ain’t happening. But I want to be “that guy”. The guy who sets his challenges and tribulations aside for others. The guy who’s physical strength is dwarfed by his kindness and generosity of spirit. The guy who makes everyone feel better.

I want to be like Tom.

#6 - Power Sports

PowerSports©

You know why I write an opinion column and not a blog? Because I’m basically a boring guy. I go to work, eat, spend not-near-enough time with the little woman, eat, lift once-a-week, ride the harley when I can, eat and watch T.V. I’m not ‘in’ to video games. I suck big-time at golf. And, I’m simply not allowed back into the bowling alleys around SoCal. My guilty pleasure is television. And one show that intrigues me is ‘Life After People’ on the history channel. For those who haven’t had the pleasure the show chronicles the future in time blocks (1 year – 10 years – 50 years – 100 years, etc.) after people have vanished from the earth. You basically watch all our cities and monuments turn into national parks and ancient ruins.

Watching this show I couldn’t help think about this column and how it started. After a 15 year self-imposed lay-off, I returned to the sport and wanted to jump back in. I shared my amazement at the changes in the sport (gear, internet, organization, etc.) and was fascinated with the differences that evolved over this short time span. After clearing the cob-webs and up-ing the intensity of my workouts I set out to compete. Two months into training I realized that I’m not near as pliable as I once was. I completely blew out my hammy (purple bruising and all) and came to the conclusion that it will take a few years before my squat is respectable (if that). I was definitely jonesing for competition. I re-tooled my workouts and set my sights on PowerSports©.

I was never a guy who curled. I remembered the pics of Steve Wilson rupturing his bicep and I figured bigger biceps were just one more thing to tear while deadlifting. But I rationalized how hard could it be. I researched the site and come to the conclusion that 200 would be considered a very good lift in my weight class. 200 lbs. isn’t even considered warming up on the other lifts. It’s just a good ‘stretching’ weight. Performing a strict curl with it should be a breeze. Wrong. I looked like an idiot in spasm the first time I attempted 150. And then the realization – just like everything else in this godforsaken sport – it’s not going to be easy.

PowerSports©, for those who haven’t been exposed, is a competition of the strict curl, bench press and deadlift. PowerSports© follows the same format as a traditional powerlifting meet and simply substitutes the strict curl for the squat. And, with the exception of a belt, no support equipment is allowed. During a NASA powerlifting meet PowerSports© is contested within the event itself. The events of a full meet are sequenced as such: strict curls, squats, bench press and deadlift. And several unequipped powerlifters will compete in both unequipped powerlifting and PowerSports©. The purest definition is straight from NASA’s web site: Power Sports©, developed and implemented by Rich Peters in 1996, was designed to test an athlete's over-all strength levels. The mere fact that no supportive equipment is allowed is a testament of the athlete's confidence in his strength levels and his true power as a strength athlete.

PowerSports© is hotly contested and attracts national-caliber powerlifting athletes as well as those who specialize in the strict curl, bench press and deadlift. There are lifters who excel at both PowerSports© and unequipped powerlifting – Tyson Myers and Mike Bishop immediately come to mind. And there are those athletes who have specialized in posting big in PowerSports© – Cyrus Ford, Jason Smith, Jackie Baltimore and Desmond Phillips (the latter pulling 804 in a PowerSports© event!). PowerSports© records are kept at every level of competition from State to American and Worlds. PowerSports© has its own national championships and Mr. Adelmann maintains a Top 100 list for all categories. And, PowerSports© has one big attraction – professional competition.

This year’s Pro PowerSports© competition offers up over $14,000 in cash prizes. This head-to-head event will match lifters across weight classes via coefficient with the highest coefficient winning. Money will be available to the overall winner through 5^th place and individual lift winners through 5^th place. Special awards provide monetary incentive to all. Such awards as: heaviest curl for 275lbs – SHW; best coeff. for CO, KY, OK or KS lifter; highest deadlift coeff. for TX lifters; etc., etc. Wanna get in on the fun? Here’s what you do. 1. sign up;

2. lift in two NASA events between sign up and the Pro meet;

3. receive an official entry form once you meet qualifications, and

4. show up in Oklahoma City on October 17^th and kick butt!!

http://www.nasa-sports.com/Pro%20Power%20Sports/2010_ProPS.htm

Some of PowerSports© top competitors back out of the pro meet because there’s no guarantee of first place money. One top lifter put it this way, “I do not think that should deter anyone from lifting at this meet, especially since it is head to head competition. This is a one of a kind event and lifters should really try to take advantage to compete in it”.

“[T]he bottom line is that people are afraid of losing. Sometimes losing is better than winning because at least you know how you match up against the best, and had the heart to do it. I have done all three Pro meets and I have lost each time, but I have gotten better each outing, and that means a lot to me. I have the heart to keep trying and I have faith and confidence to know my day will come. If more people had this mindset Rich would have to put a cap on it because so many people would be trying to enter.”

I echo this sentiment. For those of you yearning for earnest competition against all in the field – then PowerSports© is the ticket. I may give it a shot if only they had a money category for overworked lifters age 40 and above with nagging injuries from Southern California or North Dakota. If Gary Clock doesn’t enter I’m in the money!

#5 - The Future of Powerlifting

The Future of Powerlifting

Howdy folks. If you’ve read my previous articles I think you know by now I don’t take myself too serious. I believe in two tenants: 1. don’t sweat the small stuff; and 2. it’s all small stuff. If you’re reading this column for the first time I would encourage you to ‘start from the bottom up’ and read the four previous entries. They are very quick reads and it will help with perspective. Now that you’ve caught up I’m ready to share my take on the FUTURE OF POWERLIFTING (said in that deep echoing voice that announces tractor pulls on Sunday, Sunday, Sunday…). And please, before anyone gets their panties in a bundle, I do not think I’m an expert on the subject. I don’t believe I have greater insight that anyone else, and I’m not blessed with an overabundance of intelligence. I simply have a take. I do think my take provides perspective that spans over twenty-six years in (and out) of the sport. I don’t make any apologies and my opinions are just that. So, without further adieu……

Webster defines ‘evolution’ as: development. A process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage). Clearly by this definition the sport of powerlifting has not ‘evolved’. We have splintered. We have become raw, untested, tested, multi-plied, single-plied, classic, 26-organization-supporting lifting groups. People in the sport speak of movements – the west side movement, the metal movement, the raw movement, the unity movement. Enough, enough I say (tongue firmly planted). Rise up! In the words of Susan Powter – Stop the Insanity! It is time for a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking or behaving (Webster definition of ‘revolution’).

I am proposing a revolution. But not at the expense of any powerlifting sub-group. I propose embracing the split. Run with it. Go the distance. What do I mean? Well, let’s take a look at the two most-distinct camps: raw vs. multi-ply. The first thought that should strike the casual powerlifting fan (both of them) is that I don’t define the camps in terms of steroid usage – or lack there of. Why? Because those that use have a certain level of pride that, for the most part, keeps them lifting in their organizations. And, those that abstain from using strength-enhancing drugs stay in their perspective organizations. And, both groups follow the same rule book. Depth is depth, touching the chest is touching the chest, and a lock out is a lock out. However, raw vs. multi-ply literally look at the sport differently. Raw lifters strive for a consistent, firm yet fair application of THE rule book. While multi-ply lifters seek an interpretation of rules that fit the application and limitations of their gear. Additionally, raw lifters enjoy the structure and formality of a consistently-well run meet. In contrast, multi-ply lifters desire a metal rock atmosphere with a forgiving clock.
If you have read through my column you will note I’m a big ‘values’ guy. And, that’s what we have here: competing values. Arguably some will say that we have different values within the same sport. I don’t believe that. I think the values defining both groups – raw and multi-ply – are so great that we have become two different sports. We just don’t know it yet.

It reminds me of snow skiing vs. snowboarding. I enjoy skiing two or three times a year. Believe you me it is quite a sight to see. I look like the Michelin tire man on planks (note to self: I should stop skiing). Anywho, when snowboarding gained in popularity (circa
early 90’s) all of us two plankers sounded off. We bitched about their gear, complained about the music they brought to the slopes, and constantly moaned about their tricks and stunts. We even tried to run them off the mountain. Get your own runs. That’s what we said. And, by golly, that’s what they did. Boarders got their own runs. They got their half-pipes. They got their own rules. And, with the help of the events like the X-games, they got television’s attention. Today there is peace on the mountain. All skiers and boarders – casual and competitive – recognize that there are two distinct and different sports. The only things they have in common are snow and gravity.

We are so there. We are so different we are two distinct sports. I don’t think multi-ply should even be called powerlifting. I throw out Extreme Lifting for your consideration. Multiply lifters tend to value lifting as much weight as their equipment will allow. They have no pride in lifting raw. They call it “going backwards”. I get that. I even respect that. But it ain’t powerlifting. Multi-ply lifters push the envelope of gear as far as possible. They bend the lock-out rule. They bend the pause rule. They break the depth rule (pun intended). And, they bend the bar. For the purist, it’s hard to watch. But, for those that enjoy the extreme, its fun. The music’s blaring. The crowd’s screaming. All is good in their world. If this sub-group embraces Extremely Lifting the next logical step would be to modify their rules to fit the viewing audience. Condense weight classes. Open the clock. Package the lifts and provide an exhibition of, well, Extreme Lifting.

Powerlifting would once again become a ‘pure’ sport – one defined by its rules. The raw lifters would compete in a format along with single-ply users. Single-ply would be strictly regulated to meet stringent –dare I say it- “classic” standards. Uniformity and consistency in powerlifting would be restored. Depth would be depth. Lock out would be lock out. Pauses would be pauses (I’m wiping the tears from my eyes as I write).

I believe Extreme Lifting could establish a following and a venue right next to the X-games. Organizers of Extreme Lifting would be free to create guidelines that would be television friendly. Extreme lifters would have their platform to lift their way. Equipment vendors would be elated. And order would be restored to our beloved powerlifting community. It would be a beautiful thing.

Now, if they would only listen to my take on global warming……….

#4 - Anabolic Steroids

I have used some humor and self-deprecation throughout the last three articles. I have placed tongue firmly in cheek as I glanced back to the eighties and compared those times with our powerlifting world today. So, I preface this article with a statement: due to the serious nature of the subject matter I will not be using sarcasm, self-deprecation or light humor. I’m not that good of a writer to adequately convey that type of sentiment with such a serious subject – the subject of anabolic steroids.

I’m not a historian. I only view experiences through my own paradigms. I can’t tell you with any authority how steroid use started in athletics. But, I can tell you why. They make you stronger – considerably. I know this first hand. I used steroids in the mid-eighties.

After I was unceremoniously kicked off the Orediggers football team for academic probation – I started weight training. In four years I had built myself up from a 160 pound defensive back to a 205 pound lean and mean gym rat. I was in southeast New Mexico and there was little-to-no guidance for lifters. Mine construction work took me to Illinois. In the mid-eighties, Illinois was one of the focal points of powerlifting. I joined a powerlifting gym conveniently located close to where I was living. I was training alone and after a set of a raw 405x4 squat, the gym owner and local powerlifter asked – “is that your max?” Of course this was my ME. Back in Carlsbad, New Mexico I was the only guy squatting. This gym owner/powerlifter took me under his wings and taught me form, leverage, a workout schedule, how to use an Inzer bench shirt and introduced me to anabolic steroids. I started a typical 80’s cycle: Eight weeks – start with an oral once a day, three weeks later stack a ‘light’ injectable, five weeks in stack a ‘heavy’ injectable, and top in all off with andro for ten days. Work your ass off in the gym, limit cardio and consume 7,000 calories a day. In 3 months (residual affects) I ballooned to 240 pounds and added 200 pounds to my squat. I was elated! I can get this strong this fast. I wanted more. But, with my trainer’s advice, I was forced off the juice for 14 weeks. I fought valiantly to keep my strength up. I ate copious amounts of, well, everything. I lifted hard. I did manage to maintain about 30% of the strength I put on at the expense of gaining another 20 pounds of body weight. This cycle continued on and off for the next two years. By this time I was back in New Mexico looking to compete. I had bombed out of my last meet and had experienced severe migraines and nose bleeds. I thought my competition days were over and it was back to being a gym rat. If I couldn’t use steroids, where would I lift? Then, by the start of ’87, Rich introduced his phased approach to drug-free powerlifting. I was able to compete 6-months clean, then 1-year clean and eventually 3-years clean. It’s been 20+ years now so….. I do have a ‘take’ on the subject.

There have been significant changes in the use of anabolic steroids since 1986. The first and most significant change is legal. In February of 1991, federal law placed anabolic steroids in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. This simply means that the possession or sale of anabolic steroids without a valid prescription is illegal. Possession carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison – first offense. The maximum penalty for trafficking is five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 if this is the individual’s first felony drug offense.

This change of law was big – real big. It made felons out of some strength athletes. Our president even addressed this issue. In George W. Bush’s 2004 State of the Union address, President Bush asserted that athletes should not be permitted to use "performance-enhancing drugs like steroids." One reason President Bush stated that steroids should not be permitted was the use of such drugs are “dangerous”.

Listen, I’m in the minority on my feelings toward the job W did as president. I think history will prove he made tremendous political sacrifice to protect our safety. Think about 9/12 – the day after. Did anyone seriously believe we would and could go eight years without a credible terrorist attack on U.S. soil? No, we were confused and scared. Bush took the war to the terrorists. Period. This isn’t political – it’s fact. But, when President George W. Bush addressed the use of anabolic steroids as “dangerous” he initiated a trend of unintended consequences. When later asked President Bush stated he was trying to reach the youth of America. Being ‘dangerous’ doesn’t deter the youths of America – it encourages them. Don’t believe me? Results from the 2005 Monitoring the Future Study, which surveys students in eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades, show that 1.7% of eighth graders, 2.0% of tenth graders, and 2.6% of twelfth graders reported using steroids at least once in their lifetimes. Teenagers don’t believe something is bad for them without hard and fast facts. Take teenagers and drinking for example.

As one who has parented teenagers I know all-to-well the challenges we face when trying to keep our kids from consuming alcohol. And, we have a tremendous load of data to support the perils of drinking - over 19,100 people died in 2006 in the U.S. from alcohol consumption. This statistic doesn’t account for alcohol-related deaths – simply consumption. Couple this with the British medical journal the Lancet which reports that one in 25 deaths around the world were caused by alcohol consumption, and booze is now as damaging to global health as tobacco was a decade ago. I draw this analogy to simply point out that just saying something is dangerous is not a deterrent.

Please note that I am vehemently against the use of anabolic steroids. I think I have effectively established this credibility over the last 23 years. I think it was and is pandora’s box. I believe there isn’t an end in sight to the degree one may go to gain a competitive advantage. Take today’s juiced athletes – they will cycle year round – year round! Never going off. Always on something with a testosterone base. And, if you use steroids you can go to prison. Prison! But, with all the press coverage of anabolic steroids and baseball, steroids have become a common conversation.

In the eighties conversations about steroids were few and far between. And, these conversations were always protected, whispered and held in the strictest of confidence. Today you can find an expert on just about any chat room or board that is discussing strength training and/or bodybuilding. With the anonymity of the internet, everyone has become so open about the subject. Now we have a freakin’ anabolic doctor in Powerlifting USA discussing his ‘practice’ openly. Give me a break. Even the users think he’s an idiot. But, I digress.

I have also noticed a huge change in the sentiment between strength athletes. When I stopped using in 1986 I still had friends and a training partner who continued to use ‘roids. We all got along just fine. Of course I took particular pleasure in lifting more than one unnamed individual in our gym – but it was all in good fun. Today there are two lines-in-the-sand which tend to create real hostility between lifters: gear and the use of steroids. I’m not making any judgment on this at all – just making an observation.

My two cents – for what it’s worth – is that this is a value equation. I don’t consider those that use steroids as bad guys – they are just making poor choices. And, as long as they stay out of drug-free meets, I don’t think of them as cheater either. What I don’t get is their value equation. I just don’t understand how the risk of incarceration, the cost and the eventual health risks are worth a record, a trophy or a place on PowerliftingWatch’s top fifty list.

I know my opinion differs from some of you. Many of you view the steroid users (today and yesterday) as cheaters. I get that. But, I’m a big ‘values’ guy. And, values are personal. They come from upbringing, religious beliefs, family, and the choices we make - but they are very personal. As I entered the late eighties and through today my values around this subject have been clear to me: train smart, expect small but consistent gains, strive to stay injury-free, eat well, be drug-free, do not do anything whatsoever in life to become incarcerated and….lift for me.

I want to personally thank Rich Peters for his role in helping me shape these values. He was extremely influential in helping me removing steroids from my life in 1986.

Thank you Rich.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this experience and I am grateful you allow me to share. Some of you have e-mailed me asking what I thought the future of our sport may hold. I do have an opinion and I promise to share it before the Master’s nationals. I hope to see y’all in Phoenix in November. Tom, our prayers are with you.

#3 - Powerlifting Forums

Back in my pre-teen years I spent most of my time wondering who was the better quarterback – Roger Staubach or Craig Morton, what comic books to buy; and how to impress girls (still an enigma to me). I usually settled for Marvel comics – the Incredible Hulk, the Fantastic Four, Spiderman, Thor, etc. These comic books all had the same advertisements – sea people magically coming to life, x-ray glasses enabling you to see through clothing (waste of money), and Charles Atlas’ strength training booklet.

The Atlas’ ad was a long-running stroke-of-genius. It portrayed a skinny fella on the beach with his best gal. A bulky bully kicked sand in his face telling him “I’d smash your face but you’re so skinny you might blow away”. The pencil-neck refused to be victimized and secured himself a copy of Charles Atlas’ program. Two frames – and one year later – our hero is back at the beach and this time deals out a firm right cross to the jaw of the bully saying “I owe you this!”

Funny (ironic not ha ha) how time changes things. In 1970 a bully was a brute who kicked sand in the face of skinny geeks; in 1984 (my first powerlifting meet – Niles, IL – Leaning Tower Y) the personal computer had just hit the shelves and the internet wasn’t even in our vocabulary; and in 1994 (my last meet to date) forums – let alone powerlifting forums - did not exist. Today we have a half dozen very active powerlifting forums, internet users have there own urban dictionary, and a bully is usually someone who hides behind a troll name and lurks anonymously in social forums.

As I examine the powerlifting forums closely and read through archived entries I can see predictable signs of trouble (hindsight is 20-20). The first forum was interesting – a lot of training information from the sport’s best lifters. Icons from the seventies and eighties were regulars on this forum. And it wasn’t strictly training information – there was an overriding joking tone ~ all tongue-in-cheek mixed with a little sarcasm. Ah, the first predictable sign: sarcasm. Sarcasm is difficult to communicate to those who are unfamiliar with each other and damn near impossible to convey through writing. So, the forum required keen eyes to ensure effective moderating, and moderating required mature, dedicated and honest moderators without a personal stakehold. You beat me to it: the second predictable sign. Realize that moderating takes an exorbitant amount of time with no reward. I wouldn’t do it. It takes a strong and firm constancy of purpose to effectively moderate. You won’t please all the people all the time – bam! The third predictable sign: disgruntled powerlifters. And we all know what a powerlifter does when he or she is pissed-off ~ they start their own forum!

It is the final sign that has created the internet forum environment that powerlifters frequent – anonymity. Once a few competing forums began to offer anonymous postings in the form of troll names they all followed suit. Now to post with your own name is the exception and even this last vestige of internet chivalry has been bastardized (o.k. a little overboard, I know). There are some lifters that are receiving more notoriety from their comical postings on the forums than their lifting. These guys have to post with their own names – that’s what they’re known for. But, I digress, back to those freakin’ trolls…………..

Listen, I’m not going to climb on my high horse. I’ve read all the public-accessed boards. I’ve posted four times in the last six months and all of my posting have been innocuous (well – except for that one time when I suggested a forum seek the advice of Dr. Kevorkian and pull the plug). And, I’ve regretted each time I’ve posted. Why? Because I was met with hate and discontent much like we all are when posting in the public forums of today. Why is that? Relatively speaking powerlifters are a small group. There ain’t that many of us. We all know each other – whoops – that’s right. It is anonymous.

Anonymity and powerlifting were not synonymous in the eighties and early nineties. Believe it or not we all didn’t like each other either – even in NASA. There were two lifters I could not stand. They were prima donnas in my eyes. And, they didn’t like me as well. They thought of me as a southwestern ‘redneck’. Me? Southwestern? And, you know how we got along? We didn’t. We simply kept our distance. Because (and mind you – I don’t venture myself a ‘tough guy’ – it was just the way it was) we would have thrown down. So we showed each other mutual respect. And guess what? We all co-existed just fine and kept our personal and private opinions to ourselves.

The way I see it - forum anonymity is the last refuge of a coward. Folks should show each other a little mutual respect. But they won’t. So, the bottom line is: ignore them. Don’t engage them. Stay out of their little playground. Most of these punks didn’t receive enough love from daddy and need the attention. You cannot fill this void. DON’T FEED THE TROLL! Some folks have said that’s hard to do. They want a forum to defend themselves. From what?!? Everyone in our little niche powerlifting community knows the punkish trolling nature of some on these boards. Very little is really taken that serious. No one really cares what these trolling losers have to say. And, for that matter, no one outside of our NASA family cares about what you have to say. They only want to engage you for their own morbid entertainment.

This is an op-ed column and I am going to give my opinions on a few of the active public boards. First and foremost, our boards – NASA Real Power and Training forums – are tightly moderated and everyone shows each other respect, period. I enjoy our boards immensely. I think you will too. If you are a card-carrying member and haven’t frequented the boards I encourage you to do so.
Secondly, there is a tightly monitored board that posts daily news reports on the sport and has established a lifter rankings list (paid membership required for access to this feature). I like this site. Sometimes the news day is slow and seems like the moderator enjoys the drama a little too much but all-in-all I think it’s a good site that ‘watches’ the sport closely.
The third site I read has an outlaw reputation as a multi-ply site and seems to be a little to casual on drug use. Given my personal views on both topics it may seem a little strange that I like this forum but, the information is timely and direct and it allows me to see ‘the other side’ (you can’t watch FOX news all the time). The moderator usually shuts down personal attacks without proof.

The internet is the great tool of our generation. It has changed business, commerce, communications and entertainment. But, with a great tool comes the possibility of misuse. An example of this misuse is the angry, vindictive trolls lurking in the forums – please don’t feed them.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the latest installment of this column. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this is a privilege for me and I very much enjoy sharing with y’all in our NASA family. My next column will address drug use in the sport and how it has changed. I guarantee that my take and yours will be different. Stay tuned.

Let me know your thoughts and opinion. I can easily be reached at thebarisloaded@hotmail.com.

Keep pullin’

Fred.

#2 - "26 Organizations and Counting"

I spent my freshman year of college at a mine engineering school in Golden, Colorado. It was during my first semester geology class I was introduced to the term ‘hypocenter’. A hypocenter is the initial point of rapture deep in the earth that precedes an earthquake. I’m sure this all makes for interesting reading but what’s this have to do with the multitude of powerlifting organizations? Simply put - I was an eyewitness to the hypocenter that created the organizational chaos you enjoy today.

I’d like to start the conversation with a brief – and I mean brief – powerlifting history. There’s plenty more depth and expert analysis on this subject via the internet.

Powerlifting as an organized sport has only been around for about 45 years. Prior to this it was simply known as the “odd” lifts. These were an assortment of deep knee bends, back presses a.k.a. floor presses, deadlifts, one-armed lifts, curls, etc. Around 1964 the A.A.U. agreed upon the squat, bench & deadlift as the powerlifts and established rules, weight classes and eventual records. In 1978 the United States Olympic Committee concluded that all sports seeking recognition should have their own governing body (the irony to present day conditions should be painfully obvious). The United States Powerlifting Federation (USPF) became our governing body recognized by the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF). The USPF was considered by most to be inconsistent at best in their fair application of drug testing and their ever-changing interpretation(s) of the rules. Because of this, the American Drug Free Powerlifting Association (ADFPA) was created in 1981 primarily from a moral position. And in a counter move a Chicago lifter, Ernie Frantz, founded the APF (circa 1983) on the premise of no testing. So there ya go - a brief history lesson of our sport’s “organized” beginnings..

Life in powerlifting began to move along. Lifters were approaching and making single-ply lifts once thought physically impossible (1000 lb squats, 900 lb deadlifts, 700 lb. benches), powerlifters were gaining notoriety in strongman competitions and the professional wrestling circuit, steroid use was still underground and only whispered about, and good folks were doing their best to build lifting organizations that supported good lifting – this includes the most prolific meet promoter in USPF history – drum roll please…… Rich Peters. And then the tremors started.

The USPF executive committee held their national meeting in July 1988. I attended with three votes (state chairman, national athletes’ rep and a proxy). The organization had just concluded a legal battle with Ernie Frantz over exclusionary practices. To recoup costs, the USPF had decided to dig deeper into the meet promoters’ pockets concerning shared revenues. Due to all the internal bickering and inconsistent drug testing, Rich had started NASA providing lifters a chance to get off steroids through his staged approach (note: I lifted in the first Natural Winter Nationals in 1987 ~ ‘open’ was defined as six months clean). However, it wasn’t Rich’s intent to split. Rich wanted to unify the USPF under one banner. Establish an umbrella organization so to speak. This would provide a true national championship, a framework that brought confidence to the international community and flexibility for the lifter while providing sub-organizations under the umbrella supporting different needs (raw, equipped, tested…. hmmm). The executive committee of the USPF laughed at the proposal. They believed there was no need for such a structure. It was their way or the highway. They were simply indispensible. That was it – plain and simple: the hypocenter.

Rich left the USPF and sunk his heart and soul into NASA. Brother Bennett and company continued to take the moral high ground in the ADFPA, and the APF continued to provide a platform for non-tested events. The USPF was left to its own demise. My take is lack of professional leadership and an overall elitist attitude in its president and the executive committee was the causal factors in the USPF losing IPF sanction (which was subsequently grabbed by the USAPL – formerly ADFPA).

With my apologies to Bob Dylan - the times they were a changin’ (if you don’t know who Dylan is twitter your dad and ask). Organizations established their own rules and interpreted existing standards differently. Gear use began to vary from association to association, and the division framework differed as well. Then the egos of mice and men took over (I smell a trend developing). Yep, ego and misguided pride. Don’t like the depth rule here, start up your own organization; want to use triple ply rubber – initiate a federation; can’t stand weighing in at the prescribed time – create a league; want to drug test only in leap years – uh, you get the point. It’s gotten so bad that one meet promoter allowed unlimited attempts in a lift. Well, I say ‘unlimited’. The rule is – or was, I don’t know anymore - lift until you missed two consecutive attempts (insert pregnant pause here).

Listen, I don’t necessarily think having different organizations is all bad. This is America. We are not a socialist country (not yet anyway). We have the freedom to create and choose. God bless America! But there is a risk with this much dilution: the majority will fail – its pure economics. There is a finite pool of lifters out there competing (estimates are anywhere from 12,000 to 18,000 in sanctioned events), and there are now 26 (sic) national and/or regional organizations trying to attract these lifters. Do the math. There is no way a quality powerlifting organization can maintain records and a decent web site, conduct a quality national championship event, support a youth and/or high school program and grow with its lifters with just 400 members. So it is natural to see how organizations come and organizations go. So what’s a lifter to do? How do you choose?

I’ve given this a great deal of thought and I’ve concluded this should be a value-based decision. What do you value as a lifter: fair and honest drug testing? no drug testing? use of multi-ply? raw? distance from home? family atmosphere? competition? And, your values may not tie you exclusively to one organization. For instance: you may value top level competition once a year. You may be a female bencher whose set all the records she can in ‘her’ organization and wants to test herself on a strict world stage environment. She wants to see what its like to lift against the best the World has to offer. That’s value-based.

If all powerlifters made this decision – the decision of where to lift - a value-based decision, we would soon realize something: most lifters share similar values. Soon organizations would converge to a dozen or eight or (dare I say it)….. four! Heck, if everyone’s lifting decisions were all value-based, we may just find ourselves lifting in one big organization with several sub-group an …… wait for it….. wait for it……. umbrella organization so to speak. J.

Let me leave you with this: if you want to secure the future of powerlifting - find that organization that fits your values and support them. For me, that’s a fair and honest drug-tested environment. For me, that’s a lifter-friendly environment that supports God, family and country. For me, that’s an organization with a robust calendar of events. For me, that’s an organization that I have a substantial voice in no matter what my level of lifting. For me, that’s NASA.

And, if any punk-ass, piss-poor training, character-assassinating internet jockey wants to take a shot – well ….. I’ll save that for next month.

Once again, I really appreciate your feedback on the first column and this truly is a privilege for me. If you have comments, suggestions or feedback you can find me at thebarisloaded@hotmail.com or on the real power forum.

Pull hard,

Fred.

****************************

#1 - "THE BAR IS LOADED"

Ay dias mio (Oh my God!) – 26 years ago I walked into Pool’s Gym in Springfield, IL and vehemently stated that “I want to powerlift”. Someone should have warned me. Someone should have warned me about the sleepless nights I would have nursing sore (insert here ______) {back, knees, pecs, tie-ins, glutes, etc}. Someone should have warned me about the perils of cutting weight (“but I benched 30 pounds more just last week!”); and someone should have warned me about listening to every gym expert from Springfield to Carlsbad (“lift with your glutes” – “no, lift with your back” – “no, lift with your eyes” – “squat on a box” – “squat on a bench” – “squat on a rail spike” - seriously?). But, what I should have been warned about the most is the commitment – you’re either in the sport or you’re out. Well, I’m back “in”. This last May I threw my leg over the hog and rode from San Diego to Phoenix to watch Rich, Tad and the crew put on the Western Nationals at Walt’s place. Prior to making the trip I ‘hit the net’ to find out how the sport changed. After cruising the internet highway for a few hours all I could say was – “un-freakin-believable”! I really can’t believe how much has changed in the sport in 15 years.

The way I see it there have been four fundamental changes that have, well, ‘shifted’ the sport. They are (in order): 1. Gear; 2. the multitude of organizations; 3. the internet; and 4. drug use. So, without further adieu, let’s talk about gear changes.

In 1984 nobody I associated with knew what a bench shirt was. By 1988, everyone was using one. Ah, the bench shirt of yesteryear (and yes – there was only one). John Inzer’s tight, polyester version of a t-shirt. Something that gave you a nice pop off the chest (yes Virginia, everyone touched their chests when they benched). Something that gave the heavyweights 10 – 30 pounds. Something that kept your shoulders from shredding when attempting a max. That’s all it was. Nothing more. And, don’t go comparing today’s single ply to Inzer’s bench shirt. They shouldn’t even be defined the same. I mean that! I have watched a guy from 24 Hour Fitness (yes – I trained at a 24hour) put 100 lbs. on his bench with the use of a single ply. And please don’t ask me which shirt – I don’t care. The reason I was ever interested in powerlifting was due to watching tape – yep ‘tape’ – of the big Texan Doug Young bench 585 at 242 (re: because I used the term ‘tape’ – telling you it was raw would be redundant). So I don’t even have a need to know the brand of shirt. All I know is it artificially will give some lifters a 30% - 40% increase in their one rep max bench. Come on! So what’s the big deal? How has this really ‘changed’ the sport?

In the 80’s there was Buffalo’s Ted Arcidi and Abilene’s Ken Lain battling it out at the 700 pound range. Then came the monster Anthony Clark and the freakishly strong bencher Chris Confessore. The big deal was they all had the same advantage – the inzer bench shirt. Realize most of the aforementioned lifters wouldn’t don the shirt until their third attempt: 30 lbs heavier than their second. We all knew who these guys were and they were stronger than hell! I’m not saying today’s geared benchers are not strong – they are. Their just all ‘blended’. Don’t think so? Tell me something, who is the best bencher today? If you ask that question at any meet you’ll get as many answers as there are lifters. Another point: have you ever tried to explain today’s bench shirt to a non-powerlifting friend? How’d that work out for you?

The squat suit isn’t off the hook either. I will hand it to the manufacturers: these suits are marvels of engineering. Some serious thought, testing and cash went into the design of these things. I won’t go into the same rant as above because it’s the same argument. Who is the best powerlifter today? I asked that question in Arizona. I asked six seasoned lifters – got six different answers. When you asked that question in 1989 – you got one answer. And, he was so dominating most of you still know the answer – Ed Coan. I back spotted Ed at two separate meets. Don’t know how he is as a person but I do know he was the most dominating lifter of the eighties – period. That doesn’t exist anymore. Gear changed that. You can no longer point to one male lifter and say – “he’s the man”. The ‘gear’ conversation will come up every time. Listen, there are great lifters out there. And, since this is an opinion column, I define great lifters as those who cast ego aside and will lift in geared events, raw events, throwing events – you name it. Hell, I know (and you know him too) a lifter who competed in a strongman and highland game competition on the same day! Damn.

Our sport is an eclectic sport. Coan called it a ‘cult’ sport. I won’t go that far but suffice to say most spectators are family, friends and a few old lifters thinking they’ll make a come back as a masters powersport lifter. The only folks who truly understand the ‘gear’ conversation are powerlifters. The relationship to a geared lift in competition and a raw lift in the gym has changed now and forever. We have literally morphed into three different sports: raw, equipped and multi-ply. And there are a multitude of organizations to support this transformation. But, I’ll save that for next time.

Hey – it’s been a pleasure and my privilege to share my opinions. Give me yours. I’d like to know if you liked the column, hated the column, have a difference of opinion or want to weigh in on other topics in the future.

Hit me up at thebarisloaded@hotmail.com.

Yours in NASA,

Fred.