Weights coach lifts heavy weights for fun

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Coach Connor Karwowski attempts a heavy deadlift at a competition. Karwowski is the strength and conditioning coach.

Owen Wright, Reporter

This week Owen Wright went “Off The Clock” with Coach Karwowski. Karwowski is the strength and conditioning coach. Outside of school, Karwowski enjoys power lifting at a competitive level. 

Q: How did you get into power lifting? 

B: I have been power lifting since my sophomore year of undergrad, so about seven or eight years now. I had previously lifted for sports and once I discovered power lifting it just felt natural to compete again. Unlike most traditional sports, power lifting does not have a “season”. Most power lifters are lucky to compete once or twice a year because the physical demands placed on the body at a power lifting meet are not sustainable for long periods of time. I am only planning on competing one more time this year. My next meet is an invite only meet in Florida this upcoming August called the WPO Super Finals. They only invite the top 30 equipped lifters in the world to this meet.

 

Q: What kind of power lifting do you do? 

A: Power lifting has many divisions in it. The most basic is raw vs. equipped. I compete equipped. It can be compared to the high jump vs. pole vault. They are both trying to jump in the air as high as possible, but one uses equipment to push the limits. In power lifting, the equipment used is a squat suit, bench shirt, and various wraps and belts. These provide extra support and compression that allow the lifter to handle more weight and come in many different varieties and brands. 

 

Q: How did your most recent competition go ? 

A: At the meet this past weekend I squatted 1005lbs., benched 740lbs.and deadlifted 705lbs. My total was 2450lbs., which is those three lifts added together and is how power lifting is scored. To date my best lifts are 1040lbs. squat, 740lbs. bench and 705lbs. deadlift. My best total is 2450lb.

 

Q: Why do you enjoy power lifting ? 

A: I enjoy power lifting because it gives me something to train for. Training by itself is awesome but I have a very competitive mindset and this allows me to continue to compete even after leaving traditional sports. I also think it is important as a strength coach to put my money where my mouth is and show that I also still train hard and compete. I think this helps create a better relationship between the athletes and myself and I will continue to compete as long as my body allows it.