But there is one man that comes to mind that was contested by the fact he could be beaten on a bad day if someone else had a great day. They've been a nuisance for years, the smaller knurling center causes people to line up too close in the DL and it hardly grips your back at all, some of the even brand NEW bars have NO KNURLING. Dans statue, not his weight, makes him unusual for the hings that he has done. Gaynor said lifters at the IPF event have been more likely to get around drug tests, take PEDs leading up to the competition or have a history of PED use. Mike Bridges ( Birth date: february 1, 1957) Who is that? TPB makers stood to gain by keeping the sponsorship fee up, after all, it's a BUSINESS.[/quote]. Several people in the area had Ivenko Bars--within 2oo miles I bet there were four available. See you in Georgia! Mike's best official lift was 608 made in 1977. A meet with the quality of lifters, albeit the lack of numbers it has previously enjoyed, SHOULD have been prepared to entertain world record attempts. Results 1 to 5 of 5 Thread: Mike Bridges Training ? George Hechter (Birth date: august 14, 1961). When he first saw Vince hecould tell he had dropped down to 198,then he saw me all bulked up and ready for battle. Mike Bridges was the Ed Coan of powerlifting before there was an Ed Coan. When planning ahead for the meet today, I had to ask myself if I was capable of creating conditions in which records could be set and make it known to the lifters who entered the meet today whether the conditions in which they would find would or was not condusive to setting any records. We landed in St. Louis five hours later. Ivanko bars are awfulthey are outrageously whippy and the non-standard knarling makes setting up for the deadlift quite confusing. Fred has held the squat record in several classes and he has squatted 1008lb at the Budweiser meet in 1986. (365.5 kg). Some powerlifting meets drug test, and some dont. And they'd be American records. its not the fault of the ipf, but the stuff up of the meet directors!!! He has proved that you dont have to be a giant to do record poundages! Author: Staff. he was just as good as coan just in a lighter weight class. So the facts are the facts guys stop being a bunch of cry BABIES! Heres how those numbers compare for each lift.7. Mike broke his prior world record by 87 lb. See, they cannot make an exception for a USA lifter because USA would beef huge IF a russian had an improper bar and broke records too price of having approved bars, weights, and rules. BUT, as a lifter at the meet who is not capable of setting world records, I was very happy when I learned that we would be using a Texas Power Bar. I hope it wasnt 45lbs cos USAPL/IPF rules stipulate metric measures And at 51 I expect to take it even higher next week at the APF Georgia. I went 760, 810, 832. He has broken over 100 combined Nationals and World Records in his storied career. I couldn't sleep on the flight. And he held a special "women's gateway open" with lifters all breaking WR's TOO..WHERE WAS THIS MAN's BRAIN??? From then on and into the 80s, Id estimate that about 85 percent of competitive American powerlifters at the national level were using something in massive doses to gain an edge: anabolic steroids, dianabol, testosterone.. The rule said small jump of 2.5 kg would nullify a third and that is how I lost the bid for my 10th world championship.Lou: Tell us about your most memorable world championship.Larry: That would be my first in 1971 against John Kanter. Dr Mike lives in st Louis and I know he has some. Mike Bridges - Bridges was one of the greatest powerlifters of all time, competing in the 165 and 181 pound classes. Putt Houston. now with more Bom Chicka Wahwahhhhhh. I saw the Gestapo in action first hand at the Master's Nationals and again today at a local meet. 7. The squats went well. Try Squatting with all that weight with a smooth middle! to the meet director - sorry this sounded so strong. Come on, guys.Mike LIFTED the f***ing weight! Without a doubt, he wasthe greatest of the 275 pounders. Now all the anonymous guys can come on here and bash the IPF for requiring approved equipment for records. On another note, the IPF will truly commit a crime if they take Mike's records due to this smallest of technicalities. Bodybuilding and physique-training provide exposure to the powerlifting exercises but not the technique. No official word has come down from the IPF or USAPL. There was no money meets back then.Lou: What motivated you back then?Larry: A strong desire to be the best and win all the time at anything. Lou: I want to thank you for doing this interview and for the memories you have left imprinted on powerlifting and after knowing you for the last fifty years, on me. Second, the guys that want to do drugs and get around a test can and will. On the other end of the spectrum, USA Powerlifting (USAPL) vehemently tests lifters, and its slogan is Americas choice for drug-free strength sport.. If dan can get his bench together, lookout! Ivanko bars are awfulthey are outrageously whippy and the non-standard knarling makes setting up for the deadlift quite confusing. His name was Mike Bridges. No one ever say a word to him no matter what. Jim Squat: 405kg/892.87lb Ed did one bodybuilding show as a teenager but he did not like the idea of losing weight, he wanted to become as big as possible. 3. I envied Larry for having such good training partners and a coach like Bob Matz. lol. well yeah they were legal when they kept the sponsorship fee up. (course they also did drug tests on mike but odds are those won't be a problem). If he would choose to use the best gear of today, it would be crazy. When planning ahead for the meet today, I had to ask myself if I was capable of creating conditions in which records could be set and make it known to the lifters who entered the meet today whether the conditions in which they would find would or was not condusive to setting any records. All of Mel's lifts are done in extremely strict style. One official got yelled at for asking about the bar while my boyfriend was checking his rack height later on thursday. When we talk about how PEDs improve performance in sports e.g. He was lifting at National Masters and I was his coach. My team was also lifting, including Eric Stuber, Mac Richards, John Topsoglou, and several others. True, Jack. Had Wade Hooper eclipsed his squat record, for example, which was also QUITE possible, then what would this meet director say! Putt Houston. now with more Bom Chicka Wahwahhhhhh, http://usapowerliftingforum.com/cgi-bin/config.pl?read=12709. Unless there became a cause to recognize a record. 6. It was a great trip home. That has got to be more dangerous that squatting without wraps. Everyone knows that politics are stupid when it comes between a person and a hard earned accomplishment but if they let it stand then everyone will say "hey, what could have so-n-so done on a Texas Power bar instead of those whippy Ivankos?" Welcome to the club, Mike. As I'm now fast closing on 49 I find my biggest problem is not overtraining, but under-recovering. BUT, as a lifter at the meet who is not capable of setting world records, I was very happy when I learned that we would be using a Texas Power Bar. What reports? Then he came and got me. IF they used the same Texas Power Bars for that WOMEN's MEET, THE WORLD RECORDS THERE TOO ARE NOW NOT VALID. 1985 Mens Senior Nationals I hope this does not come true. What happened? #1 mike bridges training style 05-07-2008, 02:14 AM ive read about mike bridges and his records. thanks Jeff Mumaw. Its 2016 and this year marks the end of my first 50 years in powerlifting. Mike entered his first power lifting competition in 1976 and broke a world record in his very first competition. The guys in the lighter . Mike Bridges - 512 lb Raw Bench @ 181 lbs (232.5 @ 82.5 kgs) 2,478 views Aug 19, 2016 35 Dislike Share Save Lexington Plummer 1.52K subscribers From the 1982 USPF Sr Nat'ls, Mike Bridges. They called Mel the king of the bench press. I re-vamped my training to train every area only once a week. We took off and I told him what happened. George has spread his body weight from 242 pounds all the way to the high 300s. Everything else is the liquid inside the glass. (course they also did drug tests on mike but odds are those won't be a problem). Lou: I recall soon after getting home from the army in 1970 you set a national total record on the same dayas Joe Weinstein at 1675 at198. Can you imagine a man that tiny hoisting a dead lift of nearly 600lb. The author and famed Mike Bridges are shown in a light moment at the 1982 World Powerlifting Championships in Munich. If this is how the IPF treats their lifters it's no wonder that the WPC Eurasian Cup has 635 lifters pre- registered to lift! northernhiro Additional comment actions. Everyone knows that politics are stupid when it comes between a person and a hard earned accomplishment but if they let it stand then everyone will say "hey, what could have so-n-so done on a Texas Power bar instead of those whippy Ivankos?" I loved Mac Richards, but I never loved him as much as when he handed me that beer. [/quote] How about a total of 2105 lb at 181lb body weight. No one ever say a word to him no matter what.The Conversation. 1985 Mens Senior Nationals "Reports have surfaced that the IPF will take those records from Bridges,,,,,," That's the most ridiculous thing i've ever heard, did they not KNOW you need to use approved equipment? It's NOT a 45lb bar. I drove it to within an inch from locking it out. why someone running a meet like this waits to the last second anyway is a damned good question. Ron Collins who would mostly lift at 181 and you were mostly a 198 and there was a lot of talk of a match between you.Larry: Yes, it would be at 198, but never happened.Lou: You won nine worlds starting in 1971, it ended at Wisconsin in 1980. They run around $140 a piece, and I dont want to pass the cost onto the lifters, because I honestly think that the majority of elite guys in the sport just dont care that much anymore. Mike Bridges indeed used anabolic/androgenic steroids (along with everybody else) to amass his several world record squats and totals in the IPF. I wonder how it would feel to have a 700+ pound bar slide down your back. I envied Larry for having such good training partners and a coach like Bob Matz. Its also important to note that competitions use different weight-class systems. Let's hope they get confirmed soon. i just dont like the fact that theres not much assistance. Jons training lifts around 2300lb! We know Larry was one of the greatest lifters of all time, but not much is known about many. fed ex, several people with bars in ATTENDANCE who could have had fed ex deliver them, there's NO EXCUSE in this day and age. Harold put on a great meet. It may linger and help him kick ass for years to come. Benchpress: 705.5 pounds (320kg) He started lifting at 58 and was that one-in-a-thousand who had that Special Super Strength. So, as a powerlifter, if you stay in the same weight class but you lose 10 pounds of fat and gain 10 pounds of muscle, you can be tremendously stronger, because fat doesnt help you lift weight. There was a two-hour weigh-in and no round system. Mike Bridges, age 50, captured multiple IPF Master's 2 (50+) World Records last weekend at the USAPL Men's Nationals. Love it. [quote=An IPF member]I have a Texas Power Bar and it weighs 20kg. Mike Bridges The Peoria Powerhouse as told to POWERLIFTING USA by Herb Glossbrenner Great Form from the beginning. if indeed he's been robbed before, then he's pretty tough for sticking in there and coming back. Larry was the one getting all of the attention setting American records before World records were official. There I said it for you. Squat: 365kg/804.69lb TPB makers stood to gain by keeping the sponsorship fee up, after all, it's a BUSINESS. It was a beautiful day to drive, but once we got 50 miles away, Mac said we needed to pull over. Oh yeah, no squat suit until about 1976, and no disrespect, but the squat suits were not much. Best Lifts: Larry: Yes. I opened with 540 very easy, then the 242 world record of 578. When you talk about bench pressing, I have to enter Teds name for he is the only other person to do what I have done , bench press in excess of 700lb. they cut it fine by sending it to you thast close to a meet. [quote=Anonymous]My boyfriend was in the area on Thursday afternoon when several referees told the Technical Sec that something was wrong with the bar and they were told it was OK, it was an old Ivenko Bar. I stayed there for three days. I also know you were never cocky or arrogant, but totally confident and fun when I was around you. ive seen a little on his training also here it goes mon-squat, bench max weight squat- 8,5,5,3,2,1,1,1max partial squat- 1x1 bench- 8,5,5,3,2,1,1,1 max wed-squat,bench light, max deadlift squat-8,5,5,3,1,1 about 50-60% of max JOHN INZER An elite lifter, Inzer invented the bench shirtsupportive equipment that allowed for bigger lifts. Hewon nine consecutive IPF World Powerlifting Championships from 1971-1979 (198-pound to 242-pound weight classes) and set 54 world records during his powerlifting career. View Profile View Forum Posts . 2023 ABC News Internet Ventures. When we landed my finger was twice the size. Harold, your meet was excellent!!!! 1983 Mens Senior Nationals Everything at this meet was ran by the guys in the uniforms! Powerlifting differentiates between world records set at tested and non-tested competitions. Thats total that maybe one other lifter has approached. There was also another little boy who came in from Tennessee. Mike is going to get robbed because it's an IPF rule, tpb isn't approved equipment and so he's getting american records. To this day 37 years later, I don't know why I tried to bail out from that bar. This was the best meet I've been to everything was done possible to make this the best meet for lifters and judges also for whoever came to the Meet! I hope this does not come true. Mine was over first. In powerlifting we have had lifters such as Pacifico who many times totaled more than the heavyweights in the early years of powerlifting. To: Chip Hultquist..would like to know more about your hip replacement; facing the same thing..30+ yrs of powerlifting. I checked the rules on the USAPL site and they just referenced the IPF rules. It took him three more hours to fix the other hands. I was completely drained. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Perfect I went around and took off my coat made a pillow out of it then took off my watch, laid it down, and fell sound to sleep. Mike Bridges, age 50, captured multiple IPF Master's 2 (50+) World Records last weekend at the USAPL Men's Nationals. Consider this 2008 American Physiological Society study, which found that the benefits of steroids in powerlifters can last several years beyond when the drugs leave their body. [/quote] Although he seldom works them, he has pressed 300lb from behind the neck and military pressed 325lb. They keep raising the standard. Sam is a world record holder in the 275lb class with a lift of 639lb in the bench press. how long did u have the bar before you opened it? A prodigy of the great Larry Pacifico. 711 still weighs 711 on a Texas Power Bar or an Ivanko! A 220 pounds, Joe squatted 837lb. the only people who are happy with those lousy bars are benchers. Deadlift: 320kg/705.48lb. My boyfriend was in the area on Thursday afternoon when several referees told the Technical Sec that something was wrong with the bar and they were told it was OK, it was an old Ivenko Bar. Wow! $29.95 each. That number is even more amazing when you consider that at the 1968 German powerlifting championships, 176-pound Arnold Schwarzenegger squatted 460 pounds. Guys felt like they had to take them to stay competitive, and that became problematic, Gaynor said. Log in or register to post comments Those of you out there who knew Mac Richards know exactly what I mean when I say he was a great guy, great lifter, and a best friend to us all. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. More on that in a bit.5. His form was a model of perfection, but his physical strength was amazing in the squat and bench.He[MCJ1] was doing theBridges Flair before Mike was doing it. But while he was doing amazing feats of strength, Larry also was always making a judge, Jerom Weiss, mad. Source: As told by Larry Pacifico from Pacifico Power Systems (July 2017) On October 4, 1980 I lifted at a meet in Dayton, Ohio that I promoted. Dr. Fred Hatfield (october 21, 1942 Died may 14, 2017). My total at around age 46 was just under 1700. Really, then what would you have done if the meet director, technical sec were standing together when they opened the box from Ivanko to find the wrong bar had been sent? I also was a shotput and discus thrower and won Athlete of the Year in New York in 1964. not screwing up in front of the WORLD. This year, at 52, Mike just won 4 gold medals in the Pan American Games. In football, the drugs can help a fullback break through what would have been a tackle; in baseball, they can help a pitcher take a 95 mph fastball to 98 mph (and also help him recover between starts). Well most know he won nine straight before makinga tactical error when he jumped five pounds on his second attempt on the deadlift, which nullified a third attempt, letting Mark Dimiduk win the1980s nationals and worlds.Larry told me if I would open lighter I would do better, and he was right again.I remember Larry making a 530-pound bench press and a 1,900 total in 1972 in Cincinnati, Ohio, at a body weight of 198. I can attest to that because I lifted in the Master's Nat's in Charlottesville, VA and along with a IPF Cat I ref, pointed out a number of infrations which where simply explained away. And tell me something about your personal life.Larry: I was vice president of Holiday and New Life Spas, there were 20 of us all total. When we competed against each other I won 575 to 505. Worlds Strongest Man Bill Kazmaier has referred to him as a god in powerlifting, and world-champion powerlifter Don Reinhouldt has said, Larry will always be a legend of all time to us.. ive seen a little on his training also here it goes. I suddenly woke up startled and couldn't remember where I was. Bars don't grow on trees, what would you have done in this situation? Mike was the superlative powerlifter. The problem was discovered on Thursday. My training poundage started climbing again and I felt more and more like busting it in the gym again. some even fresh from factory seem unduly "slick"! Men (65+) 2022 open 28th Worldwide. Well, if you have ever lifted with an Eleiko or Leoko bar, they are similar to a Texas, so I would state this wouldn't be that big of a deal and a DL record set on a TPB vs. an Ivanko is arguably harder to hold on to and more distance traveled. George has put his time in and i know we all appreciate Georges effort in supporting the game through his participation. Privacy Policy. Back then I was a big man with a big chest. As for everyone saying ivanko bars are shit because they are so whippy you have to remember they were actually designed for weightlifting. All right reserved. Bridges came back to bench press and hit 440 pounds, good for ninth . Now that is damning testimony if I have ever heard it. Bob Matz would judge meets and was down right scary to look at. 123-pound squat data was a dwarf and indeed hoisted 639 pounds. 1980 IPF Mens World Powerlifting Championships I'm fine Jesse! I recall weighing less after a meet back in those days. The numbers from these competitions arent perfect; for example, the IPF just started hosting a raw championship,6 so there are only three years of comparable data. I would hear it from him every meet when he told me if I did not get a better bench I would never win at nationals. Why is it so hard? As promised, I left with Mac to coach him at the World Masters in Victorville. Benchpress: 272.1kg/599.88lb Power bodybuilding requires you to re-learn technique and reach new movement standards. The bar we used was 45lbs plus the collars. You might say not bad well let me tell you this, maybe 12 super-heavies have done 630 plus, but Sam, at 275, has out-benched at least half of the twelve. Fantastic story. I drove it back over my head, I guess to keep it from tearing my pec worse, and to keep the bar from sinking in my chest. Something like this should never have been overlookedEVER ! The one thing that keeps Lee from the world record total is a poor deadlift. A winner of five world championships and several world record. The power lifts are the bench press, squat and dead lift. I said, "Are you all right Mac?" Week 7: 4 x 4 (55% of 1-RM) Week 8: Deload (50% of 1-RM) Week 9: 4 x 3 (75% of 1-RM) Week 10: 3 x 2 (90% OF 1-RM) This is a basic program to allow you to progress quickly. It's a shame his feats aren't hailed about today. Was this in Tampa? Mike was the superlative powerlifter. Brand spankin new bar, just no center knurling. :), [quote=Anonymous][quote=Jeff Fiss]Harold put on a great meet. Note: During the BFCM sales period all sales are final.Thus, no returns will accepted. all of the sheiko guys seem to do well in these feds. Many powerlifters even on high level don't train more than 3-5 times a week. American Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation, 2008 American Physiological Society study, How The Federal Reserve Is The Shadow Branch Of The Government, Why Original Predictions About The War In Ukraine Were So Off. :)[/quote] You've probably never heard of him, but he's one of the strongest men who's ever lived, and he was a powerlifting god in the early 1980s. Mike Bridges' DVD series. Just lift it! Once inside and rolling, they put the piece of finger that came off in some of the ice and stuck it in my sweatshirt pocket. C'mon. I invited several well-known lifters of that time: the great Mike Bridges, Terry Dillard, Dave Waddington, Steve Wilson, and Mark Chaillet. The next day I called Dr. Kunitz and he said to call my doctor. When people talk about competitive weightlifting, theyre usually talking about Olympic lifts, which are the snatch and the clean and jerk. We both didn't try to make weight. You can train as hard as ever; but there will be a time that you have to allow more recovery time. The events just bring in two different powerlifting cultures. IPF did not return requests for comment. John has totaled just around 2300! He was born September 4th, 1948 in Duluth, Minnesota. I realize that rules are rules but, don't shoot the horse because the jockey was overweight. Size didnt mean anything to him. It was a bold move, because the USPF was popular its competitions were even nationally televised. Although my preparation for the event was right on schedule to maximize my strength, I feel certain that the confidence that comes with improved body mechanics and alignment allowed me to turn on every ounce of strength I needed to set my 23rd world record. I must have said 5 pounds which was a 2.5kg jump[MCJ2]. I was married three times.Lou: How many world records did you break in your illustrious career?Larry: 54Lou: I know you had rivals along the way. That might not seem like much, but because these guys lift so much, it translates to between 30 and 344 pounds. In 1956 in Minneapolis my buddies and I, Reps and sets ranged from 510 to 10-15 sets of lower reps, to the aforementioned 50-rep sets on some exercises,. That has got to be more dangerous that squatting without wraps. I flew back to Louisville every other week for two months. It's NOT a 45lb bar. No excuses! I slid under it and the bar hit me just over my left eye, tearing off half my eyebrow. "But it weighed MORE so he should the record for sure!" For example, 7 sets x 3 reps at a lower percentage (50-60%) of . USAPL, was it "modified rules" which were in effect this time? Steroids split us into two federations. Over time, more groups broke off from both the USPF and drug-free federation, splintering the sport further. He got his little finger caught in a sliding door. By this time I was pouring sweat and time was running out. he did this for 10 years and kept progressing but he's unreal. Then a week after that, Frank Zane and I had a seminar in New Jersey. Bench: 260kg/573.2lb George is to be feared, and why not , it isnt everyone who can squat 985 and total 2369lb. Lee not only squatted 1003, but he has bench presses 617.4 to give him the highest subtotal in history of power lifting. So as we got off the plane Paul was waiting for us to step off the plane. The bigger the glass, the more of everything else you can do. All other things being equal, the stronger you are, then the quicker you run, the harder you hit, the higher you jump, the faster you throw. He said, "Okay, just be sure you're at the gate in time." And there were no bench shirts until 1984, so his bench was raw as they say nowadays. Mike Bridges (Birth date: february 1, 1957). I could not believe it Paul was calling my room and even trying to send girls to my room. 1. some even fresh from factory seem unduly "slick"! Deadlift: 320kg/705.48lb, Lee Moran (Birth date: may 17, 1955 Died july 15, 1999). I called him and he got me in and said it might never straighten out again. Where are my safety guys screaming about that? What did this meet director think? Modern powerlifters are some of the strongest people in history. Best Lifts: LOL! Reports have surfaced that the IPF will take those records from Bridges due to the fact that Texas Power Bars were used at the event instead of IPF approved equipment. Best Lifts: they had TIME TO FIX THIS. Lou: There were other super stars from England. Place Fed Date Location Competition Division Age Equip Class Weight Squat Bench Deadlift Total Dots; DQ: USAPL: 2010-03-05: USA-OH: Con-Cret Raw Challenge: MR-M: 53: Raw: 90 [/quote] i'm over 40 and over the past years since i hit 40, i've actually stepped UP my sets and find i'm getting better results, doing my best even as i get older isn't a problem.. the one thing is to keep the challenges coming and step up to them, not think "oh i'm a master, maybe i shouldn't train so hard". Good post, ya old fart! What can be said about a guy that can do exploits like that? Squat: 446.7kg/984.4lb [/quote] They had time to get another bar!!! Mike was in powerlifting from the first days of the IPF in the early 1970s. Mike Bridges (Powerlifter) Inger Blikra (Powerlifter) Subrata Dutta . One would have to see the 325lb. No excuses! it matters what the rules actuially are!!! If I remember, this is not the first time a National Meet in St Louis had the wrong bar. Michael Easter is an associate editor at Mens Health magazine. John in a way is like the great Doug Young, but stronger. And it's still very hard for me to write after all these years. Well, Bridges and I were using it as a workout. Let's hope they get confirmed soon. After the last time you would think they would be extra careful to see it didnt happen again. If they were lifetime PR's for you as well, then even greater congratulations are indeed in order! My middle finger and both the fingers on each side were caught. Bob Matz would judge meets and was down right scary to look at. So, after the 1983 IPF event, he and others formed the American Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation. The bar used was the correct weight & configuration. The Hall of Fame began with just male lifters and officials, but started including female lifters since 1987. . Way to go meet directors! Bench: 280kg/617.29lb What Powerlifting Tells Us About The Effects Of PEDs. In fact, the folks in Missouri have always done a great job. also what do you guys think about this every monday he would max out on bench/squat and max out on deads every wednesday. At 198 he went 450-315-440 to win. Its a shame his feats arent hailed about today. Raw Unity lifters outdo IPF competitors by about 3 to 4 percent and USAPL competitors by 17 to 18 percent. Blood started flowing and I started to stand up, but I passed out and rolled back on the platform. It is not the training intensity per workout that changes as a lifter ages; it is our training frequency (recovery period allowed) that must be adapted. I didn't know exactly what they were but I knew there would be some kind of difference between the bars. One of the nicest menin the power lifting game. If they can't get the bars right, I just wonder how the Arnold is going to turn out. For all weight classes, world records in bench press, squat and dead lift are, on average, 7.9, 6.0 and 6.4 percent heavier, respectively, when the competition doesnt test for PEDs. I am aware of the wrong bar that was shipped because I warmed up with it in the warm up room. On the morning before the meet we opened 2 brand new shipping tubes from an IPF approved manufacturer and they contained bars that did not have center knurling. This will be different for different people as we are all genetically different as to how we age. My friend Eric Stuber and the two side spotters couldn't even react in time. Whats more, nearly every powerlifter who competed at the U.S. competition and went on to the IPF event saw a significant drop.2. Just lift it! Bridges weighed just 173 pounds, but at the 1983 U.S. Powerlifting Federations (USPF) national championships, he bench pressed, squatted and dead lifted1 a combined 2,011 pounds. This means they have to use IPF-approved equipment on the platform. yea i was thinking about trying this because i want to compete eventually in single ply gear and natural. This happened to Mike Bridges. that'd just be the cherry on the top of this disaster! Both of us totaled 1,815. You won't believe my luck. Where are my safety guys screaming about that? Since the bar and collars must weight 25kg(55.115lbs) and the TPB and collars would weigh 56.023(25.4kg). I just went to a baseball game and payed $18 for a lousy $10 hat. [quote=mark roskell]its not the fault of the ipf, but the stuff up of the meet directors!!!