Meet Recap: Howard Cohen American Masters 2021

After two long years without competitions, we had four lifters take on the annual Howard Cohen American Masters meet!

Janice made 48 and 50 kgs on the snatch, as well as her second attempt clean and jerk at 63 kgs. These lifts all became new American masters records in the 55 year old / 45 kg group. Additionally, Janice’s efforts were good for Best Lifter out of all the women in her age category, and Grandmaster of the competition. This award goes to a lifter who placed highest after adjusting for both age and bodyweight, and it is Janice’s second consecutive Grandmaster title at this meet!

This was Donna’s first competition since undergoing shoulder surgery just over a year ago. She put together a great performance, making 34 kgs in the snatch and going three for three in the clean and jerk. Her 46 kg clean and jerk, combined with the 34 kg snatch, gave her the bronze medal for women’s 55 years old / 64 kgs and qualified her for next year’s Masters Worlds.

We are so proud of the hard work these two have put into their training over the last several years. They are truly leaders amongst their peers and inspiring to everyone around them. The atmosphere when the 55-60 year old ladies compete is one of positivity, mutual respect, and joy. Yes, awards are given and there are winners are announced, but these sessions feel more like celebrations than competitions. What a wonderful experience to be a part of!

Sarah came into this meet more focused, more relaxed, and more certain of herself than ever before. Her snatches were smooth and she made all three at 61, 63, and 65 kgs. The clean and jerks were all makes as well - Sarah went 75, 78, 80 for a competition PR in the clean and jerk as well as a huge PR in the total and a six for six day!

Christine came back from missing her opening snatch at 60 kgs to make the five remaining lifts. She was successful with 60 kgs on the second attempt and followed it up with a strong 62 kgs, putting herself in medal contention going into the clean and jerks. She looked sharp and composed on all three attempts, making 73, 76, and 79 to take the bronze medal for 35 year old / 59 kg women!

Fantastic performances and huge learning experiences for both lifters, in very different ways. One, an experienced competitor working to relax in the meet environment and bring all of herself into each lift. The other, a first time competitor working through the wide variety of feelings and sensations that the meet environment brings up. It takes tremendous vulnerability for a lifter to put themselves out there on the competition platform. We are so proud of how these two showed up to celebrate and express themselves on meet day. Strong work!

As always, a huge shoutout to the FTH community that makes our participation in events like these possible. So many people were a part of this process, in ways big and small. Weightlifting may be an individual sport, but behind every athlete’s successful performance is an incredible support team - much appreciation and gratitude for you all!

Why We Train: Health and Connection

Several times per week, these ladies gather together to take charge of their health and strength. Some have trained with weights for years, others just a few months. These women come from many different backgrounds, but share the common goal of aging healthfully - by improving their physical capacity and maintaining their physical independence.

The best part about this particular session? Seeing these women applaud each other, congratulate each other, cheer each other on, and articulate how inspiring they find each other’s accomplishments. Witnessing authentic connection and genuine support between training partners never grows old. Strong work ladies!

Training Partners

Personal development is inherently a solo journey, but at the same time, the support and friendship of others is a wonderful resource. Good training partners authentically celebrate your made lifts, offer heartfelt encouragement for missed lifts, and lovingly challenge you to bring your best to each and every session. #community #strengthmatters

Thoughts In The Moment

What are the last words that go through a lifters head just before a big attempt? Is it a helpful cue, a quick reminder of the technical points of the lift? (“Drive!”) Is it a positive mantra, or word of self-belief? (“I can do this!”) Is it thoughts of external pressures - a projection of the reaction of others? (“What if I fail?”) Does the mind go blank completely, letting the body default to what it has rehearsed so many times?

The final moments just before an important lift is executed are deeply personal and special to each lifter. Are you in the flow state - calm but intense, fired up but fluid and powerful? Or stuck, frantic, fumbling over the movements you’ve worked so hard to perfect? Every attempt is a chance to bring all of you, all of your whole, true, Self, to the platform - what do you think about in that moment?

Strength - Technique - Mind

Success in weightlifting can be distilled down to three disciplines: strength, technique, and mind. Examine your missed attempts - where was the breakdown? Examine your makes - where did these three concepts collide?

Strength - am I actually strong enough to make this weight? You can have perfect technique, and the most positive of intentions, but certain weights will still be out of reach. You simply don’t have the strength for it. Strength is developed over time, through careful and calculated application of stress.

Technique - am I moving in the most efficient way possible? If your mind is focused and the number on the bar makes sense in the context of your current developmental state, there may be a technical error that is keeping you from making the weight. Sometimes technique can be fixed with a quick cue or a simple drill; sometimes it requires the unlearning and relearning of patterns, thousands of reps with mindful attention on the details of the movement. 

Mind - do I believe in myself? Am I allowing fear to creep in? Am I creating a story around my situation that is untrue? The mind is simultaneously the simplest and most complex piece of the triangle. This is the only component of your training that you are always in complete control of at all times.

Technique development may require an outside source to point something out, and thousands of repetitions to refine. Strength is developed over time, with lots of dedicated effort, and many sessions spent patiently adding kilos to the bar. But the mental game - the flow state, the elusive head space of success - is a matter of moment to moment attunement and alignment.

Sometimes you need reassurance that your strength and technique will support you if you simply choose to put your fear aside. Sometimes you need time and space to work through past experiences that are clouding your decision. Yes, I can, I will, or no, I cannot, I will not. You can go through all the motions, be very strong, put up huge numbers in training, eat a regimented diet, take all the right supplements, tirelessly drill your technique, and still have nothing to show for it when you step up to the bar in competition. Because the piece of the triangle that is often overlooked is the place a true winner spends the most time studying - the mind. 

Why We Train: Independence

Margo has made an impressive transformation over the last year. She began training in August of 2018. At the time, she was unable to squat her own body, unloaded through a full range of motion. She needed assistance pulling her self up off the bench or out of a chair. The remedy for this? Learn to squat - starting out with high box squats using an empty 7 kg bar. Margo has patiently worked through her fears and expanded her capacity, most recently achieving a 36 kg single on the squat (with no box, to a full depth!) as well as a 60 kg single on the deadlift. Far more important than the numerical progress, Margo is learning to trust herself and to be confident in her physical abilities.
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Strength matters, especially as we enter the last third of our lifetime. Fighting the effects of aging with strength training is an important and meaningful process. We are honored to be able to support so many people, in all stages of life, as they work to regain or maintain their physical independence.

Photos: Margo works through a set of squats at 27 kgs, and pulls a PR single on the deadlift at 60 kgs.

Meet Recap: Capitol City Open, April 2019

The spring competition cycle culminated in three lifters attending the Capitol City Championships down at Fortis Sports, in Olympia. The day was spent supporting Janice, Sarah, and Kristen at this classic Washington weightlifting venue. 

Janice used this meet as a final tune up for her trip to Nationals just three weeks later (see a full recap of that meet below!). It was a great opportunity for Janice to get familiar with the flow of the warm up room, the feel of lifting in a singlet, and the sights and sounds of competition. She put up solid numbers and matched her PR total, finishing with a 54 kg snatch and 69 kg clean and jerk. 

Sarah trained through a busy winter season, taking on hours at a new job, and a spring break vacation to prepare for this meet. Despite less than ideal circumstances leading up to competition day, she pulled off a performance when it counted. Sarah finished with a 66 kg PR snatch and a 72 kg meet PR clean and jerk. She also pushed her total by five kilos - but what made the day really special was seeing all four of her kids show up to support their mom in the pursuit of what makes her happy. 

Kristen made big improvements over the last several months, and it definitely showed on meet day. She pushed her openers aggressively, opening 2 kgs higher on the snatch and 5 kgs higher on the clean and jerk than her last meet. She finished with a solid 67 kg snatch and a huge 85 kg PR clean and jerk - four kgs over her competition best. So many lifters let the pressure and nerves of competition get to them, mentally falling apart when it comes to meet day, but Kristen is consistently just the opposite. The routine of meet day seems to fuel her, and she always comes through with an outstanding performance, persistently and incrementally pushing the edge of her capacity. 

Three very different lifters with three very different experiences in preparing for this competition, but the common thread between all of them is the support from their teammates and community. Much gratitude as always to the entire Fulcrum Training Hall crew for everything you do to make days like this possible. We are excited to be right back to work, pushing minimums and refining details in preparation for whatever these athletes choose to accomplish next!

USAW Nationals 2019: Meet Recap

Janice recently made the trek to Memphis, Tennessee, to compete in her first national weightlifting competition! Her performance at a local meet back in October 2018 was enough to qualify for USA Weightlifting Nationals as a 45 kg lifter. Janice committed to this opportunity with extraordinary focus and dedication; working hard for months to refine her technique, improve her strength, and recover harder than ever before. It was a great experience for all, and Janice came away not only with a stellar performance, but lots of valuable lessons about her self and her training.

After missing her opening snatch at 53 kgs, Janice commented on how the intensity of the big stage and bright lights was enough to send her back into old habits. With the mental fortitude of a seasoned competitor, she shook off the miss and came back at that same weight to smash her second attempt. She then stood up with a solid 54 kg on the third attempt, but was given red lights for a press-out by the judges. Regardless, she was on the board and well on her way to a competitive total!

Janice’s opening clean and jerk was also red-lighted by the judges, but it was such a close call that the officials actually asked for a video replay of the lift. Upon review, the judges determined that it was still a no-lift, but this didn’t shake Janice’s composure or focus. By the second and third attempt clean and jerks, at 68 kgs and 70 kgs respectively, she was really starting to look comfortable in the competition environment. She absolutely crushed both lifts with poise and determination. Many positive remarks were made in the back room by other coaches and lifters about Janice’s speed, flexibility, and technical proficiency.

Ultimately, Janice was credited with her second attempt snatch at 53 kg and third attempt clean and jerk at 70 kg, for a 123 total. This put her at sixth place out of a field of 12 lifters. This result is incredible, not just for her first national meet, but also because Janice is 53 years old - 15 to 33 years older than the rest of her competition! 

Janice’s natural athleticism, exceptional drive, and impressive strength continue to amaze us every day. The experience of a national meet is like no other, and we are excited to have been able to support Janice in pursuing this endeavor. A huge congratulations to Janice on her performance, and much gratitude to the Fulcrum Training Hall community, whose support makes trips like these possible for everyone involved!

Next up is the American Masters, a national level masters-only competition being held in Seattle this November. Janice will join seven other Fulcrum Barbell lifters to compete not only as individuals, but for the women’s team title. More details to come soon!

Meet Recap: USAPL Washington State Championships, February 2019

Gaven competed last weekend at the USA Powerlifting Washington State Championships and came through with a phenomenal performance. He set state records in the squat, deadlift, and total for his age (teen one - 14 and 15 year olds) and weight category (-66kg). At a bodyweight of 65.6 kgs (144 lbs) Gaven finished with a 152.5 kg (335.5 lb) squat, 65 kg (143 lb) bench, and 192.5 kg (423.5 lb) deadlift, giving him a 410 kg total. This bested the previous state record total by 25 kgs! Very strong work from this talented and hard working 15 year old.
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Next up for Gaven is high school baseball season. He will continue to train with weights throughout the spring, before returning to training full time in the summer. We are excited to see how his strength transfers over to the baseball field, and look forward to supporting all of Gaven’s future athletic pursuits. #strengthmatters

Meet Recap: Team Phoinix Holiday Classic, December 2018

Eight Fulcrum Barbell athletes took their talents to a USA Powerlifting sanctioned meet this past weekend. For most it was their first taste of competition in the sport of powerlifting, where the squat, bench, and deadlift are used as the contested lifts. The two day event resulted in lots of personal records, several medals, and one state record for the Fulcrum Barbell contingent.

Gaven is an experienced athlete, having played elite level baseball for many years, but this was his first competition in the world of strength sports. He handled the pressure and intensity of meet day like a seasoned competitor, staying cool and calm throughout the long day. He was able to match his PR in the squat, ending with a strong 145 kg third attempt, push his best paused bench to 65 kg, and matched his top deadlift with a solid second attempt at 190 kg. The 190 kg deadlift earned him a state record for his age and weight category in the lift - an impressive accomplishment for Gaven’s first meet! We are excited to continue to support Gaven in all of his athletic endeavors.

Erin had a rough week leading up to meet day. Battling illness and car troubles in addition to the stress of competition preparation, it would have been easy for Erin to let unfortunate circumstances diminish her ability to perform. Instead, Erin stayed focused on the tasks at hand and came away from the competition with a meet PR in the squat at 130kg, a meet PR in the bench at 80kg, and matched her best deadlift with 150kg, all for a PR total of 360 kg. This strong showing was a testament to the hard work Erin has been putting in to her training - she has been diligent and focused on refining her patterns and working through nagging injuries. Strong work Erin!

Marcella proved to be poised and fierce competitor, quelling her initial nerves and looking more and more comfortable on the competition platform as the day went on. After red lights for technical issue on her first two squat attempts, Marcella executed the third attempt excellently to be credited with 105 kg in the squat. She went on to set big personal records in the bench, at 60 kgs, and deadlift, with a strong 142.5 kg lift. Overall, a fantastic first meet for Marcella! We are excited to see where she takes her strengths next.

A last minute entry to the meet, Curtis put in several solid weeks of training to get himself ready to compete. He was consistent and solid in the squat and bench, finishing with strong attempts at 170 kg and 120 kg, respectively. Where Curtis really shone was in the deadlifts, where he set a big personal record with his third attempt at 215 kgs. His wife and step-mother were in attendance to support and celebrate the big achievement - strong work Curtis!

Erik expressed interest in competing after having gone through several iterations of our Lift Off three-lift total event here at the gym. He focused his meet preparation efforts on technical refinement of the squat and pushing past his comfort zone on the deadlift. All that hard work paid off with a stellar performance on meet day - 150 kg in the squat, 75 kg in the bench, and 152.5 on the deadlift.

Tal earned herself a bronze medal, a tough task in a very competitive group of 63 kg women. An unfortunate muscle strain in the weeks prior to the meet left her unable to push the squats the way she may have wanted to, but she finished with a 105 kg second attempt to put herself on the board. Tal went on to have a beautiful showing in the bench press, setting a personal record with a very technical 70 kg lift. She then secured her third place medal with a solid 132.5 kg deadlift. Strong work Tal!

This was Wendy’s first strength sport competition of any kind, and she had a great performance at her rookie meet. Wendy fought fiercely for a 100kg squat on the third attempt, stayed calm and collected on a 55 kg bench, and pushed herself to the limit to secure a 132.5 kg deadlift. It was wonderful to see Wendy’s competitive nature rise to the top, and we are excited to see where she takes her talents next!

Last but not least, John was participating in his third USAPL meet of the year. He finished with competition PR’s in all three lifts and the total - ending the day with a 120 kg squat, 80 kg bench press, and 170 kg deadlift for a 370 kg total. The 170 kg deadlift was a wonderful way to cap off the weekend’s events - this lift bested John’s last meet results by 15 kgs. As usual, John’s enthusiasm and positive energy was infectious, and kept the whole crew smiling!

Overall, a great weekend of lifting for everyone! As a team, Fulcrum Barbell placed fifth out of all teams entered in the meet. Team Phoinix and USA Powerlifting put on an organized and well-run event, with plenty of resources and a timely schedule. We greatly appreciate the Fulcrum Training Hall community for your continued support of our members who choose to take their journeys in strength and health towards a competitive event. Preparing lifters to compete is truly a team effort - small words of encouragement, helping to spot heavy attempts, courteously sharing equipment, advice on singlets and meet-day nutrition… all of these small acts and more add up to help each individual lifter have his or her best possible performance on meet day. Congratulations to the competitors, and thank you to the wonderful support system behind them!

Meet Recap: Industrious Fall Classic Weightlifting Meet

Another great competitive training cycle is in the books! Nine Olympic weightlifting athletes represented Fulcrum Barbell Club at the Industrious Fall Classic meet this past Saturday. Each individual competitor was successful in their own way - whether that was a result of increasing their meet total, pushing their opening numbers, facing fears and insecurities, or sticking to their commitments through the challenges and difficulties of meet week.

The first session saw three different Fulcrum lifters. Kelley had a rough morning unrelated to the meet, but was able to get herself to the meet, put on a positive attitude, and come away with five successful attempts. She finished with 40 kg in the snatch and 60 kg in the clean and jerk.

Tal, in her first meet on American soil, came away with top lifts of 60 kg in the snatch and 69 kg in the clean and jerk. Tal proved herself to be a fierce competitor, and has big things ahead of her as she intensifies her training schedule in anticipation of her next meet!

Janice blew everyone away as usual, totaling 123 with 55 kg in the snatch and 68 kg in the clean and jerk. This qualifies her for USAW Nationals as a 45 kg lifter, and shows once again what a phenomenal athlete Janice is. As she shifts her focus towards training solely for weightlifting, it will be exciting to see where she takes her talents!

Our second batch of lifters was full of variety - some are experienced competitors, others relatively new to the sport. Some had great training cycles with few interruptions or distractions, others overcame many obstacles in simply showing up to train. Everyone came away with a successful outcome on meet day, and we are grateful for the experience to work with such a wide variety of personalities and people. Strong work everyone, and congratulations on your big day!

Akansha’s total has increased in leaps and bounds since she began competing last year, as her technical proficiency catches up to her impressive strength. She finished out this meet with best lifts of 52 kg in the snatch, and 69 kg in the clean and jerk, taking her total to 121 kgs. It will be exciting to watch Akansha continue to grow into her potential as an athlete over the next several years. 

Sarah was able to open up with the numbers that were third attempts in her last meet. While a seven kg increase on her total initially doesn’t seem like much, three kilos is a wide margin in the long game of weightlifting. The work she has put in to refining the technical aspects of the lifts really showed on the platform, and there is even more to come from Sarah! 

Rachel finished the day with a strong showing in the snatch, topping out at 56 kgs, and a competition PR of 72 kgs in the clean and jerk. Rachel had an emotional lead up to meet day, but on the day of, her experience as a competitor showed in her calm and composed approach to each attempt, and the numerical results speak for themselves!

Jen spent much of this training cycle traveling for work, and thus spent many sessions training alone in an unfamiliar gym across the country. Those difficult and lonely hours paid off on meet day, resulting in meet PRs of 61 kg in the snatch and 75 kg in the clean and jerk. Jen’s dedication and focus to her training is admirable - we are excited to continue supporting her wherever her travels take her!

The last session of the day saw some great lifting. Lesley flourished in the organized and structured approach to competition day, putting up a PR total of 138 kgs. She finished with a competition best snatch at 63 kgs, and a strong 75 kg clean and jerk, narrowly missing the jerk on her third attempt at 80 kgs. We look forward to supporting Lesley’s continued growth and progress as both a lifter and a person!

Kristen’s quiet and focused attitude in competition was easy to work with and reassuring for her teammates. The consistent progress she has made over the last few years, both numerically and in her technical proficiency, continued to show where it counts the most - out on the competition platform. She had a perfect day, going 6 for 6 with meet PRs of 69 in the snatch and 81 in the clean and jerk. Those numbers also match her all time best lifts, and she increased her meet total by seven kgs. Strong work Kristen! 

Overall, yet another very successful day for the Fulcrum Barbell crew. The support from the Fulcrum Training Hall community was wonderfully evident in the crowd of spectators, well-wishes at the gym, and positive vibes felt throughout the meet day experience. The next training cycle has already begun, and we are grateful for the opportunity to support each athlete in their individual journey towards strength and health!

#strengthmatters #fulcrumbarbell

Connection + Community

The process of learning about self care and self development is inherently a solo one, but it is a difficult process to undertake alone. It takes a whole community of like-minded people working together to create a space for each individual to explore what it means to be all of who they really are. 

Looking around you to see friends, teammates, and peers who are working through a similar yet unique experience is reassuring and inspiring. A special form of connection, a deep trust and appreciation, forms between the people who show up and allow themselves to be seen, to be vulnerable in their journey of self discovery. 

In the photo below, the 10 am crew shares a moment of rest and reflection between sets. Their positive camaraderie, mutual support for each other, and genuine interest in each other's lives feels like the kind of welcoming community anyone would want to be a part of. Through training alongside each other week after week, these women have developed a unique connection and friendship - an authentic, loving, empowering kind of friendship.

Why We Train: Growing Together

Training together is a wonderful opportunity for connection for Wayde and Helen. They each train three sessions per week, but Saturday is reserved for time together. This shared focus on health and strength is inspiring to see in two people who have been together for over 30 years. Both are healthier, more full of life, and more physically capable than when they began this journey together three months ago. We are grateful for the opportunity to support them in growing together in health and strength!

Photos: Wayde and Helen share a bar for deadlifting. Helen tops out with an impressive 70 kg (154 lb) single (she recently bested this with a 78 kg /172 lb pull), and Wayde warms up with sets of four at 70 kgs(154 lbs).

Meet Recap: USAPL Empire Classic, January 2018

Francesca and Amanda traveled last weekend to Spokane, WA for the USAPL Empire Classic. It was the second powerlifting meet this year for both women, and they came away with successful results and a positive experience. 

Travel plans interfered with Amanda’s training leading up to the meet, but she went in with a great attitude and enthusiastic outlook. She made her opening attempts at 90 kg in the squat, 47.5 kg in the bench, and 130 kg in the deadlift. After getting on the board, Amanda pushed her capacity and reached for big numbers, coming up just short of setting a new state record in her age and weight class for the deadlift. Overall, a wonderful learning opportunity with lots of positive take aways for Amanda. 

Francesca pushed her total from the last meet by a significant amount, and set big personal records in all three lifts. After a strong opener at 150 kg, and a technical foul at 157.5 kg, she set a six kilo PR in the squat with her 160 kg third attempt. She was very successful in the bench as well, coming away with a 65 kg competition PR. Her biggest improvement was in the deadlift, where she eclipsed her numbers from last meet with a 160 kg pull. 

Next up for both - the Washington state regional meet will be held later this summer. Francesca is aiming for a total that will qualify her for October’s national meet, while Amanda will continue to use competition as a way to push herself and test her limits. We are excited to be supporting both in their individual journeys!

Meet Recap: Industrious Weightlifting Championships, April 2018

The first competitive training cycle in the new space culminated in a successful day of competition last Saturday. Through the hard work put in over the last three months, the challenges presented by meet day, and the relationships developed along the way, every lifter learned something about themselves, gained valuable experience under the bar, and had the opportunity to celebrate their personal journey towards strength and health! 

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Five of ten lifters in the first session were representing Fulcrum Barbell Club. For some it was a new and unfamiliar adventure, for others a chance to improve upon previous competition experience. Donna had a personal record total at 89 kgs (196 lbs) and displayed huge technical improvements to her lifts. Dede had a great first meet, posting a total of 98 kgs (215 lbs) in her first weightlifting meet, and further exploring what it means to be a part of a competitive team. Kelley battled the flu for most of the week, but still came out strong on meet day, with solid and strong lifts of 43 kgs (95 lbs) in the snatch and 58 kgs (128 lbs) in the clean and jerk. Giannina brought intensity and passion to the platform, eclipsing her numbers from last meet to finish with 45 kgs (99 lbs) in the snatch and 57 kgs (125 lbs) in the clean and jerk. Rounding out a busy first session, Akansha looked strong, snappy, and confident. She hit a personal record clean and jerk of 64 kgs (141 lbs), and improved her meet total by 24 kgs. Overall, an excellent display of lifting to start off the day! 

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Session two brought both experienced athletes and first-time competitors to the platform. Janice had a successful day, staving of a nagging elbow injury to finish 10th overall by Sinclair formula. Her best lifts were 54 kg (118 lbs) in the snatch and 66 kgs (145 lbs) in the clean and jerk, done at a bodyweight of just under 46 kgs (101 lbs). 

Rachel was a composed and graceful competitor as usual, and her technical proficiency stands out on the platform. While she didn't set any personal records this meet, she had a positive performance and quite the cheering section in the crowd. She finished with a 53 kg (116 lb) snatch and a 68 kg (149 lb) clean and jerk. 

Sarah had a successful first meet, going 4/6 and finishing with 58 kgs (127 lbs) in the snatch and 68 kgs (149 lbs) in the clean and jerk. She is still relatively new to the sport of weightlifting, and will look to continue refining her positions and gaining strength over the next cycle of training. 

Jen was also competing for the first time, fishing with lifts of 54 kgs (121 lbs) in the snatch and 72 kgs (171 lbs) in the clean and jerk. She has made huge changes in regards to both bodyweight and technique over the last training cycle, and she proved herself to be a fierce competitor. 

Strong work by everyone in the second session - we are excited to see where your training takes you next!

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Skinner was consistent and calm on meet day as always, and has also made significant strides in technical proficiency since her last meet. She had a stellar day, finishing with competition PRs in the snatch (66 kgs / 145 lbs), clean and jerk (77 kgs / 169 lbs), and total (143 kgs / 315 kgs).

Meaghan’s training all came together at the right moment, resulting in a 72 kg (158 lb) snatch, and 90 kg (198 lb) clean and jerk - a new personal record in both lifts! Meaghan's work ethic and positive attitude are always admirable. It was great to see her persistent training style pay off on the competition platform. 

Our last lifter for the day was Nate Miller. His goals were to make his openers and then shoot for the moon and that is exactly what he did. In a session full of missed openers and sloppy attempts, Nate was calm and professional in the warm up area, and looked confident and strong on the platform. He made his opening snatch of 100 kgs (220 lbs), and his second attempt clean and jerk of 126 kgs (277 lbs), for a total of 226 kgs (497 lbs). 

Industrious ran an efficient and professional meet as always, with plenty of resources and attention to detail. The backing from the Fulcrum Training Hall community was overwhelmingly positive - lots of well wishes, a loud cheering section, and a pervasive feeling of connection and support. The competitive crew has jumped right back into training this week, looking to continue improving upon the success of this meet. We are thrilled to be celebrating these 12 athletes, and look forward to their continued success! #strengthmatters #fulcrumbarbell

Meet Recap: USAPL Rookie Competition, March 2018

This weekend marked the first of several competitions this spring for athletes from the Fulcrum Training Hall community. Mark, Weber, and Brandon all had a very successful day at the USA Powerlifting rookie competition in Seattle. A unique event, this meet is put on several times per year by USAPL and is geared towards first-time competitors in the sport of powerlifting. Each contestant brings his best in the squat, bench, and deadlift. 

Mark has been training with weights for five months now. He has always been active, but had little experience with structured barbell training before finding Fulcrum in October of 2017. After two technical misses in the squat, he made it on the board with 87.5 kgs (192.5 lbs). Add in an 82.5 kg (181.5 lb) bench, and a solid 130 kg (286 lb) deadlift, and Mark finished out with an impressive 300 kg (660 lb) total. Strong work Mark!

Brandon has been at Fulcrum Training Hall since January, and outside of informal competition in his college weight room, this was his first exposure to the world of competitive strength sports. He made his first two squats, including a PR at 165 kgs (363 lbs), and had a strong bench session, topping out at 135 kgs (297 lbs). Combined with a 222.5 kg (489.5 lb) deadlift, Brandon hit his goal total of 500 kgs (1100 lbs). We are excited to see where he chooses to take his training next!

This meet was Weber’s return to competitive athletics after a nasty bike crash last summer ended his track cycling season early. He has spent the last several months healing up from the injury and focusing his training towards this meet. Weber set personal records in all three lifts, finishing with a 192.5 kg (423.5 lb) squat, 130 kg (286 lb) bench, and 210 kg (462 lb) deadlift. A very strong showing for Weber, placing him first in his age and weight category. Now his training focus will turn back to cycling, and we are excited to see what he will bring on the bike this summer. 

Next up for the Fulcrum Training Hall team: a crew of Olympic weightlifters compete on April 7th at the Industrious Weightlifting Championships. More information about the meet, including location and start times, can be found here. 

New Year, New Location

Happy New Year! 2017 was a wonderful year of growth and positive change for many, and we are grateful to have been apart of so many individual journey. 

The Fulcrum Training Hall v1.0 location was officially packed up into storage on December 31st. Thank you so much to the many helping hands that worked tirelessly over the last few weeks to help clear out the space and move our equipment and belongings - you know who you are. The support of the community means so much to us, and our gratitude cannot be expressed fully enough.

Whats next? We are so excited to continue our journey at FTH v2.0. Our intention is to further refine and develop our craft in a safe, welcoming place where strength matters and connection is developed in many ways. To this end, we will spend the next week unpacking into the new space, and return to regular hours on Monday, January 8th. Please see the schedule online for more details on our hours of operation. We are thrilled about the new space and appreciate your flexibility and patience while we get things settled and ready for the next piece of this grand adventure!

Love, Michael, Emily, Hope, and Lulu.

Why We Train: Dreams and Goals

Gaven plays baseball for an elite travel team, as well as Eastlake High School, and aspires to play at the collegiate level and beyond. He and his parents wisely recognized early in his career that training with weights would be an excellent and effective way to improve his performance on the field. He is developing strength and size using the squat, bench, press and deadlift, working on untrained and undeveloped areas of the body with creative accessory work, and gaining speed, explosiveness, and agility by practicing the Olympic lifts. This is a wonderful age to learn these challenging movements, while the athlete’s nervous system is most impressionable. 

In May of 2017, just before his 14th birthday, Gaven started out with a 40 kg squat. In July he was up to 80 kgs for sets of five (see left-side photo below). It is now November, and Gaven’s squat is over 100 kgs for multiple sets of three (see right-side photo below). He says his ultimate goal is to squat 227 kgs before he graduates high school.

Not only is Gaven developing the physical skills and capacity to achieve his athletic goals, but the Training Hall environment offers a unique exposure to the world of high intensity athletics that not many young people have the opportunity to experience. Gaven trains alongside Olympians and national level competitors in a variety of sports. Each person he comes in contact with provides, often subconsciously, a template of some skill or attribute that a young athlete can learn from. He is able to take the learning experiences he needs, and leave what may be beyond his current capacity to process. Some things may not make sense to him now, but will be useful to draw on later in life - both as a baseball player and as a growing young man. 

Gaven's level of enthusiasm and focus is impressive to see out of a fourteen year old, and he grows in this area each and every training session. In a world so full of immediate gratification experiences, many people get wrapped up in things directly in front of them. Having the presence and foresight to celebrate where you are today, while simultaneously holding a big future goal in mind, is a wonderful skill generally seen in people well beyond Gaven's age. Gaven approaches each training session with a big smile - he seems excited to do the work it will take to reach his far-off dreams. We are thrilled to be supporting Gaven on his long term journey to growing into the best possible version of himself!

Why We Train: Health and Strength for Life

Seventeen year old Steph recently had a strong PR squat at 120 kgs (264 lbs). Steph has been training with barbells since the age of twelve. On her third day in the gym, back in 2012, she squatted 12 kgs for sets of five across. Five years later, she regularly squats over 100 kgs for multiple repitions. 

Unlike many trainees her age, Steph isn’t working with barbells to support goals in another sport or athletic endeavor. She has been able to fulfill her physical education credits for school by writing about her experience with barbell training, but for the most part she trains just for the sake of training. Steph’s time in the gym is not just about numbers - she is developing skills that will enable her to train for health and strength for the rest of her life. #strengthmatters

Left: Steph squats 100 kgs for the first time, in May of 2016.

Right: Steph sets a new PR at 110 kgs, in May of 2017. 

Above: Steph squats a life time best 120 kgs (264 lbs), in November of 2017.

Meet Recap: Industrious Fall Classic, October 2017

The Fulcrum Barbell team took it's largest contingent to date to the Industrious Fall Classic on October 21, 2017. Some were first time competitors, looking to challenge themselves by participating in an Olympic weightlifting meet. Others are experienced athletes competing with the goal of qualifying for a national event. All twelve athletes had an exciting learning experience and the day was a great celebration of months of hard work. 

Industrious consistently hosts a smooth and organized meet, with commitment to details and plenty of staff on hand. It was wonderful to see members of the Fulcrum Training Hall community at the meet supporting the team, providing words of encouragement, snacks, helping hands, and good vibes. We are grateful to be connected to so many positive and strong people!

Akansha, Donna, Giannina, and Liz all competed for the first time over the weekend. The day was a wonderful celebration of how hard these women have been working to prepare for the new and unfamiliar experience of an Olympic weightlifting competition. It has been fun to follow each athlete's progress, and there is so much more to come!

Rachel had an incredible meet on many fronts. Not only did she persevere through the intensity of a tough training cycle, push her opening attempts from her last competition, and make five out of six lifts, she also posted a qualifying total for December's American Open, one of two national meets held each year by USA Weightlifting. Her best lifts were 58 kgs (127 lbs) in the snatch and 71 kgs (156 lbs) in the clean and jerk, for a total of 129 - enough to be invited to compete as a 48 kg lifter at the AO. This has been a goal of Rachel's for a long time. Her dedication to her training is coming together, and we are excited to support Rachel in whatever she chooses to direct her talents towards next! 

Burrows and Skinner each went into this meet with the intention of gaining platform experience and improving upon their last competition lifts. Burrows opened higher in both the snatch and clean and jerk by several kilograms than her last meet with Fulcrum Barbell. Between owning a small business, working to be accepted into the fire academy, and training for this meet, Burrows has had a very busy schedule, but came through with a great performance on meet day. Skinner finished with a competition PR in the snatch at 63 kgs (138 lbs). She has been working diligently to refine the technical aspects of her movements and the attention to detail came together nicely out on the platform. 

With Burrows preparing for the fire academy, and Skinner looking ahead to the next competition cycle, both have jumped right back into training this week. These two have big things ahead of them, and we are grateful to have them as part of the Fulcrum Training Hall community!

Hope went into this meet with the goal of qualifying for the American Open. She had a clutch performance in the snatch, bravely hanging on to her second attempt and smashing a personal best at 75 kgs (165 lbs) on the third attempt. Her 83 kg (182 lb) opener on the clean and jerk solidified the total she needed to qualify for the national meet. Nearly three years of hard work culminated in this performance, and we are thrilled to be supporting Hope in to the next phase of her weightlifting career. She also placed third overall in the meet!

Cat headed into competition looking very strong and snappy. After three beautiful attempts in the snatch, she came back for a great showing in the clean and jerks, her best being 100 kgs (220 lbs). Just as impressive as the 100 kg clean and jerk - Cat's mental fortitude through the intensity of the competition experience. Strong work Cat!

Meaghan had a wild ride on meet day - after a solid performance in the snatch, making her opener and third attempt, she fought through severe cramping in her left leg to take the platform for clean and jerks. She was successful with her 70 kg (154 lbs) opener, meaning she totaled in her first meet - a huge accomplishment for a first time competitor. 

These three worked relentlessly to prepare for meet day, always bringing a fierce and focused energy in to their training. It will be exciting to see how Hope handles the jump to national level competition, how Cat continues to up her mental game, and how Meaghan continues to refine her skills as a weightlifter. 

In the very last session of a very long day, our lone male athletes competed in a varied field of lifters. Stamm, in his second meet with Fulcrum Barbell, gained great platform experience and had a consistent, solid performance. His best lifts were 95 kgs (209 lbs) in the snatch, which matches his competition PR, and 114 (250 lbs) in the clean and jerk. Weightlifting in a competitive sense will take the back burner for now while Stamm shifts his focus to the upcoming snowboarding season. 

A tremendous amount of effort went into preparing all twelve lifters for this meet. It takes not only physical strength and technical proficiency, but also huge mental and emotional resolve to train as a competitive athlete. Regardless of the lifts made or missed on meet day, everyone succeeded by simply choosing to show up. What a gift to be a part of a community that supports such a monumental celebration of self discovery for so many!