Product Information

Form, style and technique are everything.

Only in the world of powerlifting, when one is asked how to improve one's lifts, are we encouraged to try this new routine, or asked, "What is your routine?”  If I was a baseball player, I might ask what technique do you use to swing the bat, increase bat speed or shorten the distance the bat travels?  I would not ask what routine you use to become a better hitter.  If I was a football player, I might ask what technique should I use to throw the ball more accurate or faster/harder?  Surely I would not ask what routine would I use to accomplish it.

If I was a shot-putter, I would surely ask what form and style do you use to throw the shot 50-60 foot or more, not what routine did you use to accomplish the feat.  So why in powerlifting is the first thing asked and the first thing offered is a routine?  We don’t ask how do we accomplish the lift the best way possible.  The strongest do not always win.  Instead, the best prepared and the ones who perform the lifts flawlessly are the ones who win.  It is a goal orientated and a performance orientated sport like all others, so form, style and technique should be the first thing on the athlete’s mind, as well as the first thing on his agenda when trying to improve his lifts, i.e. his max single.

I believe the reason we do not focus on form is that we have been influenced by our brother sport, bodybuilding, and its results orientated status.  It has a big influence because of its popularity in magazines and books aimed at bodybuilders.  It is, however, a different sport and has different goals and needs.  We should not confuse the two, and allow it to get in the way of our goal as a powerlifter.  Our goal is to become not only stronger, but in how to display that strength in the most productive way, i.e. a big single max lift.

Conclusion:

Form, style and technique are more important than the routine.  We know this to be true in every sport and so it is in powerlifting.  We need to concentrate more on it, and spend hours on it, consistently, every week, throughout your whole career.  A baseball player takes thousands of swings a week.  So a lifter should do many, many reps with little or no weight to perfect his form, style and technique.

Running time: 92 mins

Price: £27.50

• Tell a Friend