Tag: No Pain No Gain

F U E L | ⛽⛽

Iris Kensenhuis

Days fly by as I’m getting closer to participate at the Worlds Championships Powerlifting.  And every day and step a long the way I’m still learning, failing, building and fine tuning things.

It even got more clear to me after last weeks central training. Meeting the other members of the Dutch team, training together and the reveal of the new costum TITAN Netherlands Singlet??.  I’m very pleased being part of the team and feel honerd to wear it ?.

This week was one were I made long hours. Off and on work. That’s good for my sleep cause during bedtime I was out of this world. I didn’t just wake up but really awakened around the same time without the alarm going off…wondering what day it was.?

The transition from equipped training to classic training is a fact. Already I am noticing some changes. I actually can say…I miss my suits.  Not for the fact that the suits make me lift heavier. And It’s not because I’ve forgot how to lift classic. But for the mere fact that the equipped training challenges me to get in a different zone and mindset. Now I’m invited back to digging deeper in to my self to turn on that other switch again.

After competing in Pilsen @the EK Equipped Powerlifting Championships the (local) media picked up on my achievements. Some fun stuff happened relating to that. I got recognised in the grocerie shop where I get all my food. At work when answering the phone people congratulated me. Even there I’m noticing some differences and it makes me switch between random getting the job done *classic* versus getting the job done with a twist *equipped*. It’s all appreciated and makes me place things in perspective.

People seem to understand a little bit more why I’m always carrying so much stuff around.
One of the lovely ladies of the gymstaff showed me that there are lockers you can claim forever (24/7) in another part of the gym. If I’d known that since 2015 my bagcollection would not have grown so much the last 3 years ??. It’s about time to sort out my stuff ??‍♀️.

Yesterday’s central training showed me why I’m involved @cardiopowerlifting training. It was one for the books again. Light on paper but heavy on the ‘mind’ body and soul. On my way back home with @ilyscious I even had to stop at the gasststion to get some fuel myself ?. When finally home and eaten dinner the lights went out ?. I planned on watching TV but eventually the TV was watching me.

Today I have a restday and I am going to enjoy it to the fullest. Wishing you a lovely day as well.

Untill we meet again
Xoxo
IRIS

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The Devil is in the Details

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Blog by: Kevin

Because of shoulderproblems (and shouldersurgery) I could never perform a proper or painfree low bar squat. But since both shoulders have somewhat improved the last months I decided to give low bar a go for the first time. I got a hang of the basics fairly quick. But somehow it still didn’t feel like I could properly transfer all my force into the bar. At least not in the same way I can with an high bar squat.

Although I coached quite a few people the last few years, I got nowhere near the experience as some of the powerlifters in the Netherlands. Hence the decision to send Wim some of my squat vids together with the question if he could take a look at my technique (talking about someone who has loads of experience). As always, the devil is in the details, two relatively small adjustments: not looking down as much and toes pointing out more already made a big difference. I’m not a big fan of a ‘one size fits all’ approach to technique, but these cues seem to work for me. Next session: my head position was fine, but my toes where back pointing straight ahead. Fortunately the head posistion already made a big difference, most of the tipping forward was gone. But the force transfer into the ground was still to improve upon. Adjusting your technique will always cost you some time and may even set you back in the short run. I will get it right.

A big shout out to Wim who watched and critiqued my technique without wanting anything back. Although a small blogpost was appreciated 😉 After my deload he offered me to send him some new vids as well.  This is what I love about powerlifting, almost everyone is prepared to help you out to become a better lifter. 6 weeks out from my first meet in ages, hopefully everything comes together on the platform.

Lifting from your technique ………

Wim Wamsteeker

HEADSTRONG

Iris Kensenhuis1 Comment

So here it is, my throwback to competing at the European Equipped Championships Powerlifting. Let’s get ready to rumble!

Tuesday
Trainer and coach Wim together with assistant coach Joost de Groot picked me up. For every day I was staying there I decided to pack a bag. What’s a girl to do without all her stuff? I’m used to take half of the house with me if I leave it for a couple of days. Including my weighing scale and all the food I can carry for a whole village. Coach Wim took my scale out of the bag with the message: there is no room for it in the car.  Like really…….!!! Oh Lord…how will I survive this journey starting like this.

After a nice roadtrip from +/- 7 hours we arrived in Pilsen, Czech Republic. I met all the other lifters from the Dutch team and was ready to unpack my bags. Get settled in my hotel room and roar for the first athlete that would be on the platform on Wednesday.


Wednesday
Early in the morning I went to weigh myself. Good results: Still in my weight class! Coach comforted me by saying that everything would turn out right and I should JUST EAT. I managed to be less strict with cutting down on my big appetite. Cause the scale showed me that there was enough room left to eat & drink for the day.
After lunch I installed myself in the competition area. Seeing all the lifters from different countries was an epic experience. I realized that the language we all speak “together” is Powerlifting and that brought such a variety of people at the same time and place. I was nervous to see @sandrawildeman compete because I wanted her to succeed. And so she did!! She showed me what a fight looks like when things get heavy and what determination is supposed to be.

Input: set the bar high
Outcome: get the job done

Needless to say that I got more excited to have my own meet. But do I still know how to squat? Am I really prepared for this? What If I am not able to hit depth in my suit? And will I manage to get on the platform on time with the knee wraps? All these thoughts crossed my mind.

Seeing the equipped lifters shuffle their way up the ramp, trying to walk the stairs and lifters get carried on and off the platform amazed me. It looked like I need to walk a mile before I get up there. CAUSE WHO’S GOING TO CARRY ME? I went to bed on time hoping that meet day didn’t came too early.

Thursday
Woke up feeling good! Eager to save up energy for the big day 2morrow. All this waiting feels like forever. Why am I feeling so restless and tired at the same time? And then it hit me…. All the impressions cost energy too and I want to hold on to it for the meet.

First and for most I decided to enjoy this day to the fullest and even indulge on some good food.
My taste buds needed some P-food: Pizza, Pasta or Potatoes. Also known as CARBS. It was a blast to do so. Coach asked me what time I needed him in the lobby on meet day. We agreed on 6.30 in the morning, before that I had a date with the scale again. I packed my bags before bedtime and made sure I took some much needed quality time with myself.

Friday: MEETday
This is the day I was waiting for. And my oh my….I’m ready! I went to date the scale and….81.92KG is what it said.

Time to EAT. After that Wim and I did the clothing check and I could get the official weigh in: BOOM 82.25KG I got to eat some more, not too much cause that would only get in the way during lifting.

All I could think of was: How do I make sure that all the pieces come together? The answer was simple: trust the force and myself.  Read more “HEADSTRONG”

Technique is a perfection of Your Strength

Wim Wamsteeker