Yours Truly Performing the Powerlifts

Yours Truly Performing the Powerlifts

Below are pictures of yours truly performing the three powerlifts. These pictures were taken when I won National Collegiate's in March 1981 during my sophomore year in college. I was competing in the 114 pound weight class. These pictures originally appeared in Powerlifting USA and The Powerlifter magazines. Click any picture for a larger image.

Squat

The weight on the bar is 346 pounds. It should be noted that this picture was probably taken as I was still descending or just started ascending. How far I am squatted down is not at legal depth, but I know this lift was passed. A legal squat is when the top of the thigh at the "crease" where the thigh connects to the torso is below parallel to the top of the knee. I am a few inches above parallel in this picture.

This picture accompanied an article I wrote for Powerlifting USA titled, "Preparing for the National Collegiate Championships" (May 1981). The article discussed my diet and training methods prior to the meet. The caption reads, "EN ROUTE to victory, Gary Zeolla squats at Kutztown [PA]" (Powerlifting USA, May 1981).

Bench Press

The weight on the bar is 203 pounds. This picture accompanied an article I wrote for Powerlifting USA titled, "The Vegetarian POWER Diet." The caption reads, "1981 National Collegiate Champion....Gary Zeolla has proven vegetarianism can work" (Powerlifting USA, December 1982). Throughout college I followed a meatless diet.

Deadlift

This picture accompanied a report about National Collegiates that appeared in The Powerlifter. The caption reads, "Gary Zeolla of Penn State squeezes a 385 deadlift to win the national title in the 114 pound weight class. Note how he drives backward with his head" (The Powerlifter, March 1981).

Me Today

These pictures were taken May 9, 2003. The weight on the bar is 325 pounds, which I did for two sets of four reps. I was wearing a belt for these sets, but it's under the T-shirt.

Powerlifting and Back Pain

The first book is geared towards the beginner to intermediate powerlifter. It presents sound training, competition, dietary, and supplement advice to aid the reader in starting and progressing in the sport of powerlifting. The second book details how I overcame years of crippling low back and was able to return to the sport of powerlifting.

Starting and Progressing in Powerlifting: A Comprehensive Guide to the World's Strongest Sport

Overcoming Back Pain: A Mind-body Solution (Second Edition)