Cancer Benefit by Powerhouse Gym

(WEBMASTER:  The Powerhouse Gym in Burton, England recently did a weightlifting fundraiser for Breast Cancer and Cancer Research.  The following writeup was done by Steve on the IAWA(UK) Facebook page, but I feel it is noteworthy to on the USAWA website as well.  Well done to Powerhouse Gym!!!)

by Steve Gardner

Powerhouse Gym Charity Weightlifting Record Attempt

Participants in the Charity Benefit from the Powerhouse Gym.

At 6pm on Monday 14th January 2013, ten members of the Powerhouse Gym took part in an epic attempt to lift as much weight as they could in three hours and nine minutes: as per the IAWA World Record criteria. The event was run to raise money for Charity as well as for the individuals to attempt to set new records in the lift. To complete the challenge the lifters used the hand and thigh lift with varying weights from 50, 100 and 150 kilos for repetitions. As the event proceeded the lifters grip started to suffer and were callouses torn, with a great added pressure on the referees and organising officials as the constant counting and officiating of all the repetitions, and keeping the lifting to a regular order, making sure every attempt w…as properly completed and recorded, took its toll. The last 30 minutes was at fever pitch as lifters used every last ounce of enthusiasm to complete as many lifts as possible within the time, and when it was all over the officials and lifters were mentally shattered as well as physically.

Promotion for the Charity Lift Off.

At the end of the event, the team had amassedan amazing total of One Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty One Thousand and Seven Hundred Kilos (1,981,700.00) a mind boggling amount. Karen and Steve the main organisers of the event are very proud of the lifters who completed the challenge and now hope to be IAWA record holders with: Paula De La Mata 45,500.00 Jason Dorn 199,250.00 Graham Saxton 182,000.00 Mark Price 264,000.00 Simon 232,000.00 Luke Davis 268,000.00 James Gardner 300,000.00 and John Gardner 337,000.00.

Hopefully the team will have raised a good sum of money for Breast Cancer and Cancer research and we will keep people informed once we have the grand total, and Karen will arrange for a representative from the Cancer unit at Burton Hospital to come along and receive the money – Once again..Well done all, and a big thanks to all who sponsored the team!!

Rules for the Pinch Grip

by Al Myers

Mark Mitchell, of the Dino Gym, lifting 252# in the Pinch Grip at the 2012 Dino Gym Record Day. This is the ALL TIME best Pinch Grip in the history of the USAWA.

The first lift conducted in the USAWA Grip Championships will be the Pinch Grip.  This lift is in the rulebook under “Special Equipment Lifts”.  The reason for this is that the “special equipment” is the plates themselves – as that is what is used to pinch to make the lift.  The USAWA rules for the Pinch Grip are as follows:

I15.  Pinch Grip

The setup for this lift requires two metal plates joined together with smooth surfaces facing outward. A bar may be placed between the plates to hold them together, and should be long enough to add plates to it. Front hang or back hang is allowed to the loading of the center bar.  Collars should be used on this bar. The lifter’s fingers must not touch any added plates. The width of the two plates joined together must be between 2 ¼ inches and 2 ½ inches. The lifter will straddle the weight, with the weight being placed in front of the lifter. Width of feet placement is optional, but the feet must be parallel and in line with the torso. Feet must not move during the lift, but the heels and toes may rise.  The lifter will then grip the plates with both hands on the top of both plates. The palms of the hands must be facing the lifter. The lift begins at the lifter’s discretion. The weight must be lifted to a point where the lifter’s legs are straight and the body upright. Once the weight is motionless, an official will give a command to lower the weight.

At the Grip Champs, we will use two old york 45# plates as the “gripping plates” with a VB holding them together. You will like these plates for this lift because these are the old “milled” York Plates.  If you don’t know why these are better, you soon will when you get your mitts on them.   I do have some 35# plates if less weight is going to be lifted. I also want to emphasize that the only substance that may be used on the hands is chalk.  I will be watching this closely!!  The rules do not specify whether the arms can be bent or not – so that means they may be bent during the lift. 

Below are the Overall Mens USAWA records in the Pinch Grip.  I expect to see several of these get broken at the USAWA Grip Championships!!!

WT CLASS LIFT LIFTER DATE MEET
70 100 Howard, Colby 5/23/1999 99 Super Grip Challenge
75 135 Jaeschke, Jon 10/18/2003 2003 Super Grip Challenge
80 150 Jaeschke, Chris 10/19/2002 2002 SuperGrip
85 190 Wagman, Dan 12/1/2012 2012 Gracie Club RD
90 170 Goetsch, Troy 5/20/2012 2012 Jobes Steel Jungle RD
95 170 Fulton, Doug 5/23/1999 99 Super Grip Challenge
100 162 Edwards, Ben  2/12/2011 2011 Grip Championships
105 204 Glass, Adam 3/3/2012 2012 Minnesota Meet
110 170 Capello, Mac 5/20/2012 2012 Jobes Steel Jungle RD
115 175 Carlton, Brian 9/16/2001 2001 Supergrip Challenge
120 200 Graham, Matt 10/19/2002 2002 SuperGrip
125 200 Graham, Matt 10/18/2003 2003 Super Grip Challenge
125+ 252 Mitchell, Mark 2/12/2012 2012 Dino Gym Record Day

 

NOTES:  The record lift are recorded in pounds.

Rules for the VB DL – 1 bar, 2″, One Hand

by Al Myers

Andrew Durniat's 250 pound Vertical Bar Deadlift - 1 Bar, 2", One Hand at the 2010 USAWA Grip Championships. Andrew was the first lifter in the USAWA to exceed 250 pounds in this lift.

This is a lift that has been contested before in the USAWA Grip Championships.  It is a very popular grip lift, and I know the favorite of several.  For those of you that may have performed Vertical Bar Lifts in other organizations, pay attention to the USAWA rules for it.  They are quite different and may affect the amount of weight you can lift.  The USAWA rules for the Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, One Hand is as follows:

I23.  Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 1”, One Hand

The setup for this lift requires a Vertical Bar, which is a bar of one inch diameter with a maximum length of 18 inches. A collar or plate must be tightly fastened or welded to the bottom so plates may be added to the bar.  No knurling is allowed on the bar. The lifter may straddle the weight or have it placed to the lifter’s side. Width of feet placement is optional, but the feet must be in line with the torso. Feet must not move during the lift, but the heels and toes may rise. The bar may be gripped by any grip with only one hand near the top of the vertical bar.  The forearm is not allowed to touch the bar. The lifting hand must not touch the body during the lift, but the weight may accidentally touch the legs provided it does not aid in the lift. The non-lifting hand may be braced on the leg or body during the lift, but must be free from the body at the completion of the lift. The lift begins at the lifter’s discretion. The body must then straighten, lifting the Vertical Bar from the platform. The legs must be straight and knees locked at the completion of the lift, but the shoulders and body do not need to be erect. The lifting hand must be above the level of mid-thighs at the completion of the lift. Any rotation of the bar must be completely stopped. Once the weight is motionless, an official will give a command to end the lift.

I24.  Vertical Bar Deadlift -1 Bar, 2”, One Hand

The rules of the Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1Bar, 1”, One Hand apply except a two inch diameter Vertical Bar is used.

I have covered this lift in several past  USAWA Daily News blogs.  I will help you out here with the search on these, as I think “refreshing” yourself on this lift may prove to be beneficial to your performance.  In several of these Vertical Bar  blogs, tips were given out.

1.  This blog was written on February 10th, 2010 by me and it outlines some of the historical significance of the VB, plus has a cool picture of Ben Edwards lifting the “then record” of 235 pounds.

https://www.usawa.com/tag/vertical-bar/

2.  This blog was written on September 2nd, 2011 by Ben Edwards. Ben gives out some training tips en route to his new record of 251 pounds.

https://www.usawa.com/2-vertical-bar-training-tips/

3.  This blog was written by me on November 5th, 2011 .  Most of it is about the 2 BAR VB DL, but some of it applies to the 1 BAR VB DL. However, most of it is myself complaining about the differences between the USAWA and IAWA rules on this lift!!!

https://www.usawa.com/vertical-bar-deadlift-2-bars-2/

Past History of the ALL-TIME USAWA RECORD in the Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 bar, 2″, One Hand:

RECORD LIFTER DATE LOCATION
168  Jim Welsh 11/2/2003 2003 Gold Cup
185  Bob Hirsh 11/23/2003 Jump Stretch RD
200  Frank Ciavattone 6/5/2004 2004 Nationals
224  Scott Schmidt 6/25/2005 2005 Nationals
231  Frank Ciavattone 10/10/2005 Franks Record Day
235  Ben Edwards 11/22/2009 Clarks Record Day
250 Andrew Durniat 2/13/2010 2010 Grip Champs
251 Ben Edwards 8/28/2011 Dino Days RD
253 Adam Glass 3/3/2012 Minnesota Meet
255 Troy Goetsch 5/20/2012 Jobes Steel Jungle RD

NOTES:  All records recorded in pounds.

As far as I can find, Jim Welsh was the first lifter to do this lift in official competition.  The VB DL – 2 Bars was done in several competitions over a few years before the one hand version was contested.  Frank Ciavattone was the first lifter to break the 200# barrier, and held the record for the longest period (2005-2009).   The past two years have seen the most activity with big lifts and new ALL TIME records being established.  Andrew Durniat was the first lifter to exceed 250 pounds.  Troy Goetsch currently holds the best mark.  I have witnessed and/or judged the record lifts by Ben Edwards, Adam Glass, and Andrew Durniat.  My training partners Scott Tully and Darren Barnhart judged Troy’s lift, and they have assured me that it was officiated according to the same standards as the others.  These four grip masters are still at the top of their game – and I would just LOVE to see them together in the same USAWA competition to decide once and for all, who is the BEST in the USAWA at the One Hand 2″ VB DL!!!

Past IAWA Officers

by Al Myers

These past few months I have been working on a project.  I have been trying to develop a historical archive of the past IAWA Officers.  This has not been an easy task – as this information has not been located in a single source, but rather, multiple sources.  After searching through many past USAWA Strength Journals, IAWA(UK) Strength Journals, past IAWA World Meeting minutes, and talking to individuals who held office, I finally think I have this list complete.  If anyone notices any errors in this list – please let me know so I can get to the “bottom of it” and make the proper corrections.  This archive will be kept on the USAWA website under the “history” section for future reference.  I especially want to thank Steve Gardner, Frank Allen, and Chris Bass for their help in getting this project done. 

————————————————————————–

Elected October 5th, 2012 – Salina, Kansas, USA

IAWA PRESIDENT

Al Myers, United States

IAWA GENERAL SECRETARY

Frank Allen, England

IAWA VICE PRESIDENTS

Denny Habecker, United States
Chad Ullom, United States
Steve Gardner, England
George Dick, Scotland
Peter Phillips, Australia
Robin Lukosius, Australia

IAWA RECORD REGISTRAR

Chris Bass, England

IAWA TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

Dennis Mitchell – Chairman, United States
Denny Habecker, United States
Al Myers, United States
Steve Gardner, England
Steve Sherwood, England
Peter Phillips, Australia

————————————————————————————————

Elected October 3rd, 2008 – Barton under Needwood, England

IAWA PRESIDENT

Steve Gardner, England

IAWA GENERAL SECRETARY

Frank Allen, England

IAWA VICE PRESIDENTS

John Vernacchio, United States
Denny Habecker, United States
Mike Archer, England
William Wright, Scotland
Frank Lamp, Australia

IAWA RECORD REGISTRAR

Chris Bass, England

IAWA TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

Dennis Mitchell – Chairman, United States
John Vernacchio, United States
Denny Habecker, United States
Steve Gardner, England
Bill Chapman, Australia
Steve Sherwood, England

IAWA MEDICAL COMMITTEE

Joe Caron – Chairman, United States

———————————————————————————

Elected October 1st, 2004 – Burton on Trent, England

IAWA PRESIDENT

Steve Gardner, England

IAWA GENERAL SECRETARY

Frank Allen, England

IAWA VICE PRESIDENTS

John Vernacchio, United States
Denny Habecker, United States
Mike Archer, England
William Wright, Scotland
Frank Lamp, Australia

IAWA TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

Dennis Mitchell – Chairman, United States
John Vernacchio, United States
Denny Habecker, United States
Steve Gardner, England
Bill Chapman, Australia
Steve Sherwood, England

IAWA MEDICAL COMMITTEE

Joe Caron – Chairman, United States

———————————————————————————————————–

Elected September 1st, 2000 – Walpole, Massachusetts, United States

IAWA PRESIDENT

Howard Prechtel, United States
(Steve Gardner, England, was appointed the duties of President in 2001 after Howard Prechtel’s resignation)

IAWA GENERAL SECRETARY

Frank Allen, England

IAWA VICE PRESIDENTS

John Vernacchio, United States
Frank Lamp, Australia
William Wright, Scotland
Mike Archer, England
Steve Gardner, England

IAWA TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

Dennis Mitchell – Chairman, United States
John Vernacchio, United States
Denny Habecker, United States
Steve Gardner, England
William Wright, Scotland
Steve Sherwood, England

IAWA MEDICAL COMMITTEE

Joe Caron – Chairman, United States

——————————————————————-

September 20th, 1996 – Glasgow, Scotland

IAWA PRESIDENT

Howard Prechtel, United States

IAWA GENERAL SECRETARY

Frank Allen, England

IAWA VICE PRESIDENTS

Frank Lamp, Australia
Mike Archer, England
William Wright, Scotland
Steve Gardner, England
John Vernacchio, United States

IAWA TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

Dennis Mitchell – Chairman, United States
Denny Habecker, United States
John Vernacchio, United States
Steve Gardner, England
Steve Sherwood, England
William Wright, Scotland

IAWA MEDICAL COMMITTEE

Joe Caron – Chairman, United States
Steve Sherwood, England

————————————————————————————————-

Elected September 11th, 1992 – Twickenham, London, England

IAWA PRESIDENT

Frank Allen, England

IAWA GENERAL SECRETARY

John McKean, United States

IAWA TREASURERS

Bill Clark, United States
Frank Allen, England

IAWA VICE PRESIDENTS

Frank Lamp, Australia
Mike Archer, England
William Wright, Scotland
Steve Gardner, England
Frank Ciavattone, United States
John Vernacchio, United States
Howard Prechtel, United States

IAWA TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

Mike Archer – Chairman, England
Adrian Blindt, England
Bob Smith, England
Ken Edge, England
Art Montini, United States
Bob Moore, United States

IAWA RESEARCH COMMITTEE

Bill Clark – Chairman, United States
Joe McCoy, United States
Tom Ryan, United States
Terry Todd, United States
Frank Lamp, Australia
Frank Allen, England

IAWA MEDICAL COMMITTEE

John McKean – Chairman, United States
Roger Lynch, United States
Joe Caron, United States
Adrian Blindt, England
Steve Sherwood, England

—————————————————-

Self Appointed July 1st, 1987

IAWA PRESIDENT

Bill Clark, United States

IAWA GENERAL SECRETARY/TREASURER

Frank Allen, England

IAWA VICE PRESIDENT

Jon Carr, United States

IAWA REGISTRAR

Joe McCoy, United States

IAWA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Bill Clark, United States
Jon Carr, United States
Frank Allen, England
Joe McCoy, United States
Tony Cook, England
Clive Nevis, England
Frank Lamp, Australia
Teddy Kaplan, Israel

Postal Championships

by Al Myers

USAWA National Postal Championships

Dates: Between December 1st and December 31st, 2013

Entry form must be postmarked by January 5th, 2014

Must be a current USAWA member to be eligible for competition

Entry Fee: None

Official USAWA rules apply as outlined in the Rule Book

Lifts:

Clean and Jerk – One Arm

Curl – 2 Dumbbells, Cheat

Deadlift – Heels Together

ENTRY FORM (PDF) – 2013 National Postal Championships Entry Form

1 … 267 268 269 270 271 … 477