Lake Orion HS powerlifting team prepares for new season
LAKE ORION, Mich. — Lake Orion High School began its first powerlifting practice on November 14 for the 2022 school year. The Dragons are hyped to reenter the weight room once again and will practice and compete in three separate events: Bench, Deadlift, and Back squat.
Not only will there be new lifters but returning lifters from previous years have come back with higher weights and bigger expectations.
The size of this after-school club has only grown. Freshmen, sophomores, and even middle schoolers come to compete and practice for a chance to join Varsity and/or compete at States, which will be held at Rochester High school in the Spring of 2023.
To be on the powerlifting program (team/club) at Lake Orion you simply must be self-dedicated with a physical on file.
Students who begin their first day of lifting say they can feel the excitement of the coaches and other peers sitting beside them.
“Super excited to begin lifting,” Shane Price, a freshman Junior Varsity lifter, said, “The coaches seem pumped. The older, more experienced, lifters are sharing a lot of their excitement and it just spreads through the room, giving a very hopeful and friendly aura.”
Powerlifting is not just significant because of its muscle building but also the inclusiveness amongst all sizes, genders, motivations, and people in general.
“In this room, there is no drama, we do not have time for that,” Vincent Booker, one of the many powerlifting coaches at Lake Orion High School said, “This is a place to build our better selves, along with friendships and self-confidence.”
Lifters from other lifting programs joining the Lake Orion club for the first time say they are grateful for this opportunity.
“To be on a school team, not have to travel far, and still have the same workout routine is a convenience to me,” Constance Lovell, sophomore powerlifter from Troy, said.
Seniors and Juniors who are returning to the club have volunteered to help guide new lifters through processes, techniques, and motivation. Demonstrating lifts, and giving advice and pointers allows the new lifters to get an idea of how practices will be run.
“Demonstrating skills actually allows for me to get a refresh and get a better idea on what the newer lifters need regarding advice and how I am to guide them through different points in each lift.” Minna Plattenberger, a senior second-year lifter said.
According to INspire US, powerlifting will assist in adding more muscle in less time than doing a ton of lightweight, fluffy reps, and sets which are usually found in your normal gym-type workout routines. Reinforcement and repair of various non-muscle tissue is a clinically established benefit of resistance training. For powerlifting training, this benefit is taken even further due to the various angles of resistance and high levels of pressure placed on the bones and joints of the lifter.
According to Sports Rec, powerlifting is a great place to build strong friendships and even a family. Weightlifting can often be a social activity. You may be able to find a partner or small group of friends with whom you can train. Even if you train on your own, you may be able to meet new people and train with others in your gym.
Sports help teenagers live a more active life — thus reducing their risk of obesity, diabetes, and other serious health complications – and athletics affect teens mentally, socially, and psychologically.
The club goes from November 14 all the way through March, and practices are Monday through Thursday for one hour each day. Competitions are every other Saturday.
Lake Orion Powerlifting is always recruiting. Willing to work with everybody equally and differently depending on each individual student. The family students build is the family students beg to come back to and dedicate themselves to. The benefits are worth the time and self-dedication.
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