Muscle Beach Is Scene of Powerlifting Championship

Chris Chandler

Mirror Contributing Writer

   If your idea of a good time is to get out in the sunshine and haul heavy iron, then you would have been in heaven on Saturday, as the famous Muscle Beach in Venice hosted its Annual Bench Press Championships.
   The event, which is sanctioned by the American Powerlifting Federation, drew a mixed crowd of 31 weightlifters ranging in age from 15 to 63 who put on quite a show for the crowd sunning themselves in the bleachers. Over the next three hours, these men (and women) of iron routinely lifted weights that were heavier than they were.
   Kevin Meskew, the Meet Coordinator and man responsible for coordinating all weightlifting events for the L.A. parks department, said the turnout was a little low this year, 31 lifters instead of the expected 40, but that there was good competition in many of the categories.
   Newcomers and old pros alike showed up to show off the results of countless hours of hard work in the gym. It was the first competition for John DuBose, age 37. DuBose finished second in the Sub-Masters division for 30-39 year olds with a best lift of 217 lbs. When asked why he decided to compete after regularly lifting for 15 years, John replied "peer pressure -- the other guys at my gym wouldn't leave me alone about it -- now I'm glad I finally did it."
   Unlike many other sports, lifting is a sport dominated by the mature athlete. "Your strength peak doesn't come until your late 50s" said Brian Meek, who won the Q 75 Open with a combined lift of 523 and was the winner of the Masters Competitor trophy. He's been lifting since the early 60's and says "all you guys in your 30s and 40s shouldn't give up thinking about getting in shape and building muscle." And if you are thinking of starting a weight-lifting program, but worry about the time, you'll be relieved to know that Brian trains only 1 1/2 hours a day 6 days a week and says anything more would be over-training.
   Of course, younger people also enjoy lifting. "Lifting is a great sport for young people" says Joane Wunderlich, whose husband Jack was a referee for the event. "It can really teach a kid how set and reach goals, and then move on to the next goal."
   You can see these and many other competitors next month at the Push-Pull Championships (Bench Press and Deadlift) competition at the same Muscle Beach location on August 7th.
   If you just like the idea of lifting heavy weights outside by the beach, but aren't quite ready to compete, the fee to use the Muscle Beach facility is just $4 dollars a day, and only $90 will get you a year-long passport to sand, sea and iron.
   For more information, contact the Venice Beach Recreation Center: 310-399-2775