Competition

My own discipline is power lifting, an exercise to be done by lifting a barbell with weights from the supports, lowering towards oneself in the maximum time of 60 seconds, to rise from the rest to the arm stretching until the referees invite to readjust the barbell when all the body is motionless.

Power lifting, with the squat and the deadlift are some of the basic exercises for everybody to better their neuromuscular efficiency. I'd like to show you some important tips to avoid muscle and joint traumas, while gaining the max result with the weight lifted.

First of all, the correct movement is where the bar starts from the chest and curves towards the shoulders ending when the arms are straight and perpendicular. Second: avoid the "rebound" of the bar on the chest, that might ruin the thorax, losing the muscle tension. Third: always keep the back and the lumbar region adherent to the bench. this is obtained by half-bending the thighs.

Correct breathing is key, with a light breathing-in before starting the descent of the yoke towards the breast, then going on in apnea and starting breathing out when the bar is ending the ascent. For a perfect body steadyness, feet rest on all their soles, away between them the width of the shoulder.

Between the many competitions I have attended, I like to remember:

1) The victory in the contest "Trofeo Valle Olona", won with 165 kg still, October 2006.

2) The Champions Cup won at Capiago Intimiano, with 170 kg, december 18th 2006

3) "Sport person of the year 2006", second place

4) The fifth european place in the contest "Trofeo Valle Olona", with 170 kg, May 2007

5) The win in the Italian tournament at Tione of Trento, with 175 kg, June 2007

6) The third place "Strong Men", Cantù, August 2007

7) The win in the "Valle Olona" with 170 kg, October 2007

8) The first place, always in the "Valle Olona", October 2007 in the resistance on the bench (18 repeats with 110 kg)

In Italy, the federation (where the "Naturals" like me compete) is the Wdfpf.