The Highland Powerlifting Club hosting their second annual open powerlift- ing competition at the Athlete Institute on Saturday, September 12, with over 40 competitors taking part.

The event was sanctioned by the Ontario Powerlifting Association and was subject to the rules and regulations of the Association.

The event was held in two parts.

First up was the bench press. This was a stand alone competition with some competitors entered in this event only.

During the lift, each competitor gets a signal from the judges to lower the bar. Once it touches the chest the judges again yell out a signal and the bar must be raised to the upright position.

If a competitor can’t get the bar back to the upright position it is counted as a failed attempt.

Spotters stand by on each side of the bench to step in if someone has trouble completing the lift.

Then came the three lift competition. This includes the bench press, squat, and dead lift.

Competitors are allowed three lifts in each activity with their best lift in each event going toward their points total.

The total of the three events gives each person their final score.

Three judges make sure each lift is done correctly and according to the rules to count.

“We have 30 competitors for the three-lift and 13 for the bench press,” Explained Highland Powerlifting Club member James Newton. “They come from all across the province. They come from dif- ferent clubs and independent people that don’t belong to a club. That’s referred to as being unattached. You don’t have to be part of a club. You can compete on your own.”