With StrathSport bustling with activity at all hours of the day, it can be daunting to people who want to keep fit, especially with the enormous mound of sports clubs to get into. So, fresh off their win at the Scottish Cup, we talked to Strath Union Powerlifting Club’s (SUPC) president, Alex Roberts and women’s captain, Patricia Usi, Chatting about the club, their competitions, socials and everything else related to powerlifting.

Powerlifting is a sport focused on lifting extremely heavy weights in three disciplines: the squat, deadlift, and bench press. The total weight is tallied, and whoever lifts the heaviest is the winner.

Seen across the world in the Olympics, Paralympics and world championships, it is impressive the strain these athletes put their body under lifting these weights. They do it multiple times a week, however, and even though their work is individual, the team spirit is what gets them through it. Patricia said, “We lift individually, but we play together. There is such a community spirit. Everyone is so friendly.”

According to them, the society is full of people who hype each other up, celebrate together, and spot each other when needed. They get to do this every week, where members come together every Wednesday, and again on Saturday for the competitive team only.

Newcomers don’t need to be at an Olympic level to join. Signing up for the trained sessions accept every level from experts to beginners just needing extra help and guidance. “All you have to do is try,” Alex said, Patricia adding, “All you need is passion and interest; the rest will come.”

As women’s captain, Patricia emphasised how hard it can be for women to get into what is characterised as an old boy’s sport; “When I first went to the gym, I was a cardio girlie through and through.” As she got more familiar with the gym and weights, however, she fell in love with powerlifting. It gave her such a newfound happiness and she said she could not ever imagine stopping.

“There has been growth recently in the women’s side, which is amazing to see, and we are super vocal about trying to get more women into powerlifting.” Their women’s only Instagram and socials aim to foster a tight knit community spirit, while creating a safe space to share experiences, insecurities, and progress.

There is also an active inclusion of recreational members who opt out of competition. The powerlifting WhatsApp chat is bustling with people sharing meal prep tips, a godsend for students struggling with what to cook. For Patricia, her favourite is a chilli con carne, which she says is her go to when cooking.

Strath’s powerlifting club’s rivalry with other universities does not stop them from getting along, emphasising sportsmanship. At the end of every month, they have a joint social with the University of Glasgow and Glasgow Caledonian.

When asked about why someone should join powerlifting, they both thought for a second, and Patrcia spoke first. “Powerlifting may seem terrifying at first, it was to me, but the sport made me healthy and happy, and that was possible by how much we are in for each other as much as ourselves. The community keeps me going even when I feel like I can’t and it’s amazing to go up a weight and see mine – and everyone else’s- accomplishments pay off”

Alex then said “My first experience with SUPC was at the Sports fayre, and the club was tiny. Watching it grow is so rewarding and seeing people engage with lifting and maybe even go onto competition when they were not initially is amazing to see, and it makes it so rewarding to see as president. We are the strongest uni in Scotland, and I am going to represent Scotland, and our alumni have so many accomplishments, it’s a huge achievement, and motivation to keep being the best”

Most importantly, what are the PBs of Strath’s president and women’s captain? Patrcia boasts a 135kg in Squat, 80kg in bench press and 150kg in the deadlift, while Alex can lift 250kg for squat, 152.5kg for bench press, and 270kg for deadlift.

If joining powerlifting sounds fun to you message them on Instagram @strathpowerlifting or alternatively the women’s team @strathpowerliftinggals!