USAWA

by Roger LaPointe

The Larry Scott Collection

I am a strength guy. I have never been a bodybuilder. You will never see me standing on a stage in one of those little swim suits.

Yet… I can honestly say that it is pretty cool when I get noticed as a lifter and, as much as I like to squat, it is always the arms that seem to get girls attention.

Building ARMS That Get You Noticed

I have a 3 step system to building arms that get you noticed. Guys, it’s more than just biceps.

1. Dumbbell Curls: Nothing beats dumbbell curls for building biceps.

2. Clean & Press: The clean & front squat will jump start testosterone production and presses build the triceps.

3. Curl Bar Curls: Straight barbell curls seem to give me tendonitis in the elbows, but I don’t seem to get that when I go back and forth between the regular curl bar and the super curl bar. I also love the super curl bar for reverse curls. Personally, I think forearms actually draw more attention than biceps. At least that concept worked for Popeye.

If you want arm advice from the best, we still have a couple sets of the Larry Scott Collection.

http://www.atomicathletic.com/store/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=BKLS07

Live strong, Roger LaPointe

by Al Myers

Mike Murdock joins the USAWA Century Club, a club which recognizes lifters who currently hold over 100 USAWA records.

I predicted it in my last blog covering the CENTURY CLUB.  Mike Murdock has become the 23rd member to join this exclusive group of USAWA record setters.  Mike is very deserving of this, and all I have to say, is that it is ABOUT TIME!  I have often criticized Mike for only breaking his own records at record days and not growing his absolute count.  If he hadn’t been doing that he would have been over the “100 count” needed to be in the Century Club a long time ago.  It is also very appropriate that he did it at the Ledaig Record Breaker, the club that he lifts with.  I should have announced this before now, but since I did the last count right before Dave’s record day I sorta forgot how close Mike was to being a full-fledged CENTURY CLUB MEMBER!  

Our prez Denny Habecker still holds the lead.  Denny has now turned 70, and it has opened up a new age group for him to attack.  That’s exactly what he has been doing.  He is FIRMLY in first place now with 447 USAWA records.  His lead over Art has widened since last count.  Denny has been on the war path of competing in USAWA events.  There’s not very many he has missed since Nationals.

Since I’ve become the EXPERT PREDICTER, let me announce my prediction of who will be the next USAWA member to join the Century Club. It goes to the recent Hall of Famer Bob Geib.  Bob now has 95 USAWA records, and his presence has been plentiful at recent USAWA competitions.  In visiting with Bob at Worlds, he seems to me to have the enthusiasm of a teenager when it comes to lifting in competitions.  My money is on him (so don’t let me down Bob!!!)

CENTURY CLUB (as of October 23rd, 2012)

by Al Myers

This is a picture of Barry Bryan from his earlier lifting days. That's alot of weight he has overhead!

There’s a reason I’ve been waiting to announce the LIFTER OF THE MONTH for the month of September.  Due to the low number of meets during September, I decided the lifter of the month should be the lifter that won BEST LIFTER of the Delaware Valley Postal Meet, and I’ve been waiting on the final meet results.  So the congrats for winning the lifter of the month goes to Barry THE BOMB Bryan!!!! 

I am so glad to see Barry get back involved in the USAWA.  I had a great visit with him at the Presidential Cup a couple of months ago.  I know alot of the younger guys in the USAWA don’t remember when Barry was competing in the USAWA during the early 90’s.  He was “a force” to be reckoned with!!!  He was the overall BEST LIFTER at the 1990 USAWA National Championships against a very tough field of lifters.   However, there’s a price to pay for lifting heavy weights, and Barry incurred a few injuries as a result which lead to him not competing for several years.  But it looks like he has put those injuries aside – and IS BACK TO WINNING FORM!!!  Congratulations Barry for winning the LIFTER OF THE MONTH for the month of September!!!

by Al Myers

It’s hard to believe – but this is the 1000th blog of the USAWA Daily News.  That’s alot of All Round Weightlifting news over the past 3-4 years.  The first blog was a meet report of the 2009 Dino Gym Challenge – whereas the big news was Steve Schmidt hitting over a 3000 pound Back Lift and  …… More

by Al Myers

Last weekend at Art’s 85th Birthday Bash, it was indeed a special occassion.  And NOT because Art’s still lifting record poundages – but because it was the first time to my knowledge that FOUR GENERATIONS of lifters competed in the same meet.  That’s simply amazing!  John McKean tells me that this lift (that the picture is taken  …… More

by Roger LaPointe

I get more questions about the bench press, as a lift, than any other exercise. It makes sense. Bench pressing is easily the most popular exercise with a barbell. If you lift, someone is going to ask you how much you bench.

As a Masters age lifter, I am now fully in the old guy category, the  …… More

by Steve Gardner

GOLD CUP – Saturday 3rd November – Castlemilk, Glasgow, Scotland

All arrangements are looking good, 28 lifters signed up to go for a gold Cup lift, should be a great day! Remember Lifters: The Gold Cup is for one lift for an IAWA World Record. Lifters are allowed to nominate a second choice lift, and  …… More

by Steve Gardner

by Al Myers

MEET RESULTS

2012 DELAWARE VALLEY OPEN POSTAL MEET

The third leg of the USAWA Postal Meet Series has been completed.  Ten lifters competed.  The BEST LIFTERS are:

WOMEN – GABBY JOBE

MEN – BARRY BRYAN

MEET RESULTS

Delaware Valley Open Postal Meet
USAWA Postal Meet
September 1st-30th,  …… More

by Al Myers

One of the really important awards presented at the 2012 IAWA World Championships went to Frank Ciavattone. Frank was awarded the GRAND BEST LIFTER of the 25 year history of the USAWA.  This awarded was intended to be presented to Frank at the USAWA Nationals, but since he was unable to attend that meet I waited till  …… More

[ December 1, 2012; 12:00 pm; ]

by Al Myers

MEET ANNOUNCEMENT

NEW ENGLAND ALL-ROUND RECORD DAY

Date: December 1st

Meet Promoter: Frank Ciavattone

Location: Frank’s Barbell Club, Walpole, Massachusetts

by Thom Van Vleck

Got word that one of our USAWA brothers and long time Jackson Weightlifting Club member Wayne Smith passed away.  Wayne was a guy that goes way back.  He did the “Odd Lifting” back in the 50’s and 60’s when Ed Zercher kept the records.  Smith even predates Bill Clark in his lifting career.  There are a  …… More

by Al Myers

Dan Wagman, the 2012 IAWA World Championships’  OVERALL BEST LIFTER,  has video recorded the Championships and has made this video available to everyone. But first let me say a few things about Dan.  I met Dan several years ago when he lived in Lawrence, Kansas getting his PhD from the University of Kansas.  At that time he came to my  …… More

by John McKean  

(WEBMASTERS NOTE: This little email came to me Monday morning from John McKean regarding the festivities at Art’s Birthday Bash over the weekend. It started my day off with a laugh, so I want to share it with everyone.)

Hi Al, Great meet yesterday! I’ll do a write up ,later, but wanted you to have these records  …… More

by Thom Van Vleck

The 2nd Annual Old Time Strong Man Championships were held on October 14, 2012. We were back in the old Willard School Gym where the 2011 USAWA Nationals were held. This “old school” gym seemed to me to the appropriate place for an “Old Time” themed contest. I had 7 lifters show to test themselves. I  …… More

by Al Myers

One of the BIG AWARDS given over the course of the 2012 IAWA World Championships was the IAWA Award of Merit, awarded to Steve Gardner.  This is the second time this award has been given to someone in the IAWA.  The first Award of Merit went to Art Montini at the 2010 World Champs.  The Award of  …… More

by Al Myers

The Gold Cup is the next major IAWA meet on the Calendar of Events.  This year it will be held in Glasgow, Scotland on November 3rd.  As most know – the Gold Cup was started by the legendary Howard Prechtel while he was the President of the IAWA.  The first Gold Cup was held in Lakewood, Ohio  …… More

by Al Myers

The meet results from the 2012 IAWA World Championships have been amended since the initial release of these results, and now everything should be correct.  If you lifted in the meet please check over your listed results to verify that they are correct. If you notice any problems or issues, please notify me so I can investigate the  …… More

by Steve Gardner

The IAWA World Council Annual General Meeting – Friday 5th October 7.30pm Salina, Kansas, USA

Roll Call: Steve Gardner, Al Myers, Paula Delamata, Chris Bass, Frank Allen, Chad Ullom, Thom Van Vleck, Mike Murdock, Denny Habecker, Art Montini, George Dick, Janet Dick, Graham Saxton, Toni Saxton, Karen Gardner, Tim Piper, Dawn Piper, Dennis  …… More

[ December 1, 2012; 11:00 am; ]

by Jarrod Fobes

MEET ANNOUNCEMENT

Gracie Judo Club Record Day

Location:

Gracie Judo Club
8250 Unit 9 Coal Mine Ave.
Littleton, Co 80128

Date:  December 1, 2012

Meet Director: Jarrod Fobes

Email:  jfwaveman@yahoo.com

Phone Number: 720-202-7857

Entry: No entry fee

Start Time: Weigh-ins at 9:30, lifting starts at 10:00.

Gracie Judo Club is  …… More

by Al Myers

WOW!  That sums up this past weekend’s World Championships!  I was SO IMPRESSED with the lifters that showed up to participate and celebrate the 25 year anniversary of the International All Round Weightlifting Association.  25 lifters entered, with 24 lifters actually competing.  The competition commenced with an opening ceremony which included lifter introductions and the playing of the anthems of  …… More

by Al Myers

(A full meet report will be coming in a day or so, but for now, here are the meet results.)

MEET RESULTS – 2012 IAWA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

IAWA World Championships
Dino Strength Training Center
Salina, Kansas
October 6th & 7th, 2012

Meet Directors: Al Myers & Chad Ullom

Meet Announcer: Steve Gardner

Meet Scorekeeper:   …… More

by Roger LaPointe

I hate the term “Man Cave”. Now I’ve said it and you know the perspective I am coming from.

THE REST OF THE STORY
Here is the other half of that equation. Except for looking at the hot chicks, I dislike almost everything I see at commercial gyms. I don’t necessarily dislike most of the equipment, but  …… More

by Al Myers

The past weekend was a great success for the 2012 IAWA World Championships in Salina, Kansas.  A full meet report will be coming later, but for now, here are the BEST LIFTERS for the 2012 Championships.  Congrats goes to the OVERALL BEST MEN and WOMEN LIFTERS Dan Wagman and Ruth Jackson!!!

BEST LIFTERS

Womens Open:  Paula De La  …… More

by Al Myers

The last lift of the TWO DAY competition will be the Straddle Deadlift, or the Jefferson Lift as it is often called in USAWA competitions.  This is another “classic” All Round Lift and has been contested often in World Meets. 

The IAWA Rules for the Straddle Deadlift are:

C12. STRADDLE DEADLIFT (JEFFERSON)

The rules of performance for  …… More

by Al Myers

This lift is the “one arm” version of the Hack Lift.  It requires great gripping strength, much like the One Arm Deadlift.

The IAWA Rules for this lift are:

C11. ONE HAND HACKLIFT

The rules of performance for the hacklift apply, except that the entire lift will be performed with one hand, the choice of hand is  …… More

by Al Myers

Day two of the 2012 IAWA World Championships will “kick off” with the Fulton Bar Snatch. There are some differences in how the IAWA names lifts using the 2 inch non-revolving bar.  IAWA usually uses the description as “2 Inch Bar”  for most 2″ axle lifts whereas the USAWA identifies these lifts as the “Fulton Bar” lifts.    …… More

by Al Myers

We are in for a SPECIAL TREAT this weekend at the 2012 IAWA World Championships. The two best Neck Lifters in the WORLD have agreed to have a duel – a NECK LIFT SHOWDOWN! Last year at the 2011 USAWA Heavy Lift Championships in York, PA, Chad Ullom became the first man to exceed  …… More

by Al Myers

The “finale lift” on DAY ONE  of the IAWA World Championships is the Steinborn Lift.  The Steinborn Lift has a long standing history as a competitive lift with the IAWA.  It has been often contested at World Championships.  It is the TRUE ALL ROUND version of the squat.  But instead of taking the bar from squat stands,  …… More

by Al Myers

Last week Andy Tomlin posed this question on the IAWA Facebook Page, “Does anyone have a list of the past Best Lifters at each World Championships?”  I thought this was an EXCELLENT QUESTION considering the upcoming World Championships next weekend.  Of course I knew the answer to this question (all TOP TEN Best Lifters at each World Championships are  …… More

by Al Myers

The Pullover and Press is the “original” chest press with a bar.  In the days before there were benches to lie on, if you wanted to chest press a weight you had to lay on the floor to do it.  Thus, the exercise FLOOR PRESS got its name.   The funny thing is that now Floor Presses are making  …… More

by Al Myers

The 2012 IAWA World Championships is ONE WEEK AWAY!   Chad and I are in the final stages of having everything ready – just the “small stuff” now to take care of.  The list of registered competitors is set.  This is the 25 lifters who are entered:

 …… More

by Al Myers

The second lifting event on DAY ONE of the IAWA World Championships is the one arm Clean and Jerk.  This is one of  “the original” all-round lifts, and once was even contested as part of the Olympics Weightlifting.  The athlete can choose either arm for this lift, but once the arm “is chosen” it must be used for all  …… More

by Al Myers

Over this next week I’m going to highlight each lift that will be contested at the 2012 IAWA World Championships in Salina, Kansas on October 6th and 7th.  The total lifts contested is 7 – 4 on day 1 and 3 on day 2.  It is a good mix of lifts to test the  …… More

by Al Myers

The new updated USAWA Rulebook is now available.  It is the 6th Edition, and contains all the updated rules changes.  It is available in the USAWA Online Store for $30 plus shipping.  The USAWA bylaws are now included as part of the Rulebook.  As always, the Rulebook is on the website FREE OF CHARGE to download (but  …… More

by Al Myers

It’s been a sad past couple of weeks with the passing of John Vernacchio.  He had many friends in the all-round weightlifting community.  However, it is a glorious occasion as well, because I know he is in heaven right now meeting family members and friends that have gone before him.  My bet is that he and Howie are  …… More

by Roger LaPointe

How much do you bench?

How many times have you been asked that question?

To me, the bench press is an exercise. To other people, I know it can be a way of life. For the Masters Age lifter, it can be an enigma..

I have recently been doing more bench pressing, because of my focus on  …… More

by Roger LaPointe

Clang! Ding! Bang! Ohhh! My TOE!

Imagine the sound of plate after plate hitting the floor and then the other plates bouncing off those plates and rolling on the floor, with the ringing sound of milled cast iron followed by intense cursing and swearing…

Yes, the catastrophic failure of a crappy spring collar is what I have  …… More

by Roger LaPointe

What is the sound of one arm lifting?

Is it the sound of a grinding shoulder? I hope not. I hope all those dumbbell snatches are being done with tools that rotate, but I know they are not. Solid non-rotating equipment can be fun, but for some lifts, it can also cause real pain. Trust me, that  …… More

by Al Myers

The deadline has passed (September 15th) for entry into the IAWA World Championships to be held on October 6th & 7th in Salina, Kansas.   A total of 25 lifters have entered, which looks to be a good field of competition!  I am excited that there are 6 overseas lifters registered – from England, Scotland and Australia.  This  …… More