#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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#74 An Introduction to ER Racks
This article explores how squat racks advanced from basic wooden benches to hydraulic bottle-jack mechanisms and fully independent stands—each innovation improving safety, speed, and convenience for powerlifters.
Ken Leistner |
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#83 A Meet Director's Common Sense Decision, Part 4
The article traces powerlifting meet equipment’s evolution from homemade, often unsafe setups—like wooden benches and military gear—to modern, federation-certified platforms, underscoring directors’ legal duty to ensure competitor safety . It...
Ken Leistner |
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#82 A Meet Director's Common Sense Decision, Part 3
A coach organized a safe “driveway meet” using federation-approved gear and a skilled crew to give beginners a controlled competition experience, highlighting directors’ duty to ensure all platforms—even warm-up areas—meet...
Ken Leistner |
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#81 A Meet Director's Common Sense Decision, Part 2
Early powerlifting meets relied on homemade wooden benches and racks that often failed under heavy loads, posing serious safety risks . Although competition platforms eventually transitioned to federation-approved equipment, warm-up...
Ken Leistner |
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#76 More on ER Racks Part 3
Erik Rasmussen’s ER Rack uses a solid wood insert and simple mechanical lever to deliver precise, reliable height adjustments—eliminating the need for finicky hydraulics or electric drives . Its bolt-together...
Ken Leistner |
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#77 Singing the Praises of the ER Rack, Conclusion
From manual, spotter-dependent frames to ER Racks’ pin-and-lever hydraulic system, squat racks now offer rapid, safe height changes and side-to-side rollers. Crafted with precision welds and finishes, ER Racks also...
Ken Leistner |
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#78 Titex, When Old School is the New Thing
The article explains how TITEX’s American-made barbells merge modern engineering with IPF federation certification and powerlifting heritage to deliver high-performance, competition-ready equipment for all lifters . It highlights the brand’s...
Ken Leistner |
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#79 Titex, A Bit of an Explanation
The article details how TITEX navigated and resolved legal disputes with Eleiko to launch their own federation-approved barbells, merging innovative design with powerlifting tradition . It underscores TITEX’s focus on...
Ken Leistner |
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# 80 A Meet Directors Common Sense Decision
The article reflects on growing up in Long Beach during the 1950s–’60s, where a strong dose of common sense drove meet directors to prioritize lifter safety and foresight in equipment...
Ken Leistner |
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#75 More on Racks
Trace squat rack evolution: from standalone stands to Jim Sutherland’s groundbreaking 1980s electric connected racks boosting safety, stability & performance.
Ken Leistner |
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#73 Exercise Choice, Keep It Limited
This article draws on insights from Mark Rippetoe and Bill Starr to show why powerlifting programs should focus on a limited set of multi-joint exercises—squat, bench press, deadlift, overhead press,...
Ken Leistner |
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#72 "What Don't You Get?" Wrapping It Up
This article draws on insights from Mark Rippetoe and Bill Starr to show why powerlifting programs should focus on a limited set of multi-joint exercises—squat, bench press, deadlift, overhead press,...
Ken Leistner |
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#16 Competitive Beginnings
This article delves into the early days of odd lifting and powerlifting—an era marked by homemade bars, mismarked plates, and impromptu “odd lift” contests. It recounts legendary anecdotes like a...
Ken Leistner |