#124 Too much?
Dr. Ken Leistner’s essay “Too Much?” dismantles the myth that ever-increasing volume drives powerlifting success, pointing to early champions who thrived on concise, focused routines centered on the squat, bench...
Ken Leistner |
Ken Leistner
#124 Too much?
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#111 Can You Go, Should You Go?
Powerlifters face a critical choice between pushing through pain and taking time to heal, using smart rehab to prevent minor injuries from becoming chronic. When a movement aggravates an injury,...
Ken Leistner |
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#110 No Attitudes Necessary
Early powerlifters fought stereotypes—labeled “uncouth” or “non-athletic”—even as they forged strong, supportive communities through odd‐lift contests and garage gyms. Athletes from diverse backgrounds built homemade equipment, shared training tips, and...
Ken Leistner |
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#109 A New Years Resolution Or Should One Just Train Hard?
The article questions the need for New Year’s resolutions in training, arguing that lasting progress comes from honest assessment and consistent effort rather than gimmicky pledges. It encourages logging workouts,...
Ken Leistner |
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#108 A new or at least another generation of lifters
Emerging powerlifters blend old-school grit and new-school compassion, forging supportive contests that honor tradition while embracing modern community values.
Ken Leistner |
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#107 A new or a least another generation of lifters, part one
Powerlifting’s early image of “cocky, uncouth” athletes gave way to a diverse community where respect and character mattered more than stereotypes. Lifters from all backgrounds bonded through shared training and...
Ken Leistner |
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#106 Not truly a part two of dedication or lunacy in hurricane season
Dr. Ken Leistner recalls powerlifters training through hurricanes, parking-lot squat sessions, and even alarming blood-test scares, proving their “can’t stop, won’t stop” mindset. He argues this relentless dedication defines strength...
Ken Leistner |
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#105 Dedication or Lunacy in Hurricane Season?
Dr. Ken Leistner explains that while Titan Support Systems’ Corpus Christi headquarters offers logistical advantages, it also sits in the path of devastating storms—yet lifters there keep training regardless, even...
Ken Leistner |
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#104 Powerlifting as a means or as a sport? Part three
Dr. Ken Leistner insists that running the squat, bench, and deadlift in training alone doesn’t make you a powerlifter—only facing certified judges on a platform does . He illustrates the...
Ken Leistner |
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#103 Powerlifting as a means or as a sport? Part 2
Dr. Ken Leistner argues that powerlifting is a distinct sport, governed by strict rules that judge every squat, bench press, and deadlift for technical legality—not just heavy training numbers. He...
Ken Leistner |
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#102 Powerlifting as a means or as a sport? Part one
Strength coach Alvin Roy turned organized weight training into a championship catalyst, elevating LSU from a projected ninth-place finish to the 1958 national title and igniting Billy Cannon’s Heisman run...
Ken Leistner |
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#101 There's no escaping politics! Part 3
Dr. Ken Leistner argues that politics have shadowed powerlifting since its earliest days, splintering the sport into ever-multiplying federations, drug-testing rules, and competing philosophies. Although he once hoped for a...
Ken Leistner |
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#100 There's No Escaping Politics! Part 2
Marking his 100th “History of Powerlifting, Weightlifting, and Strength Training” column, Dr. Ken Leistner reflects on decades of lifting lore and salutes Mike Lambert’s "POWERLIFTING USA" for reshaping the sport’s...
Ken Leistner |
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#99 There's no escaping politics
Dr. Ken Leistner opens his “There’s No Escaping Politics!” series by reflecting on careers that range from high-school coach to gym owner and on a March 1997 *POWERLIFTING USA* issue—evidence,...
Ken Leistner |