Powerlifting takes time and dedication in a way that no other sport or training regimen does. As a result of the intensity required to pursue it, many misconceptions regarding its practice have arisen. Here are the three most common ones we’ve seen, and why they’re dead wrong.

1. What happens at the gym stays at the gym. While many training routines stick to this philosophy, powerlifting stands apart. This isn’t just a hobby, or just a way to train — it’s a way of life, and it certainly doesn’t end when you go home. Everything from the amount of sleep you get and what food you’re eating to how you spend your spare time will have an effect on your performance. While certain gear does help (such as powerlifting wrist wraps, SBD knee sleeves, weightlifting belts, etc.), looking after your body and your well-being is vital.
2. It’s all about the weight you lift. This is the biggest misunderstanding about the practice of powerlifting: lifting huge weights doesn’t mean you’re a pro just as lifting lower numbers don’t discount you as an athlete. Powerlifting is an art form; it’s focused on technique, form, and position, which may take years to perfect. Though your numbers will increase as you continue (in addition to your health as lifting weights has been associated with a 31% decrease in the risk of death from any cause), the goal is not entirely on the weight.
3. The more you train, the easier it gets. We’re conditioned to believe that the more you practice and train in any venture, the easier it becomes. While this is true of many things, powerlifting takes a different course: in the first few years, you’ll see sustained and noticeable progress. However, the human body has limits — as the weights get heavier and you get stronger, it gets harder to progress. It isn’t impossible to continue to improve, but you need to be prepared for the fact that it will not be an easy ride — but it’s not supposed to be easy.

People always say knowledge is power; as experts on power, we say it’s more to do with understanding (though the weights help, too). Having read and understood the truth about powerlifting, we hope it sounds like something you’re interested in seeking out, or learning more about — if only to boost your power!