Shelley has only been training with us for about 12 weeks, this is the first gym she has ever walked into. Since starting here she has trained very consistently, 3 days a week, with the goal of getting stronger. Because she's going on a holiday this week, and she has been making such great progress with her training, we thought we might do some max testing as she inadvertently pulled a 120kg deadlift quite easily at the end of her session last week.
We finished with 70kg squat, true ATG style, 50kg comp bench, and an amazing 135kg deadlift at around 60kg bodyweight! The deadlift got a little wobbly at 135 but the previous attempt at 130 was very smooth. That's what happens sometimes to new lifters at max attempts but it will get smoothed out very quickly as she gets used to (more mentally than physically) these kinds of weights. Shelley has never so much as looked at a belt or wraps, so this is as raw as it gets. Considering 3 months ago she struggled to bench an empty bar, and couldn't squat bodyweight even close to depth, those numbers are pretty impressive. Actually, the numbers are pretty impressive anyway!
The funny part is, Shelley wasn't even the slightest bit phased by her tremendous results. Rapt, for sure, but because she has never seen an average joe training in an average gym, she has absolutely no reference for comparison. Around here, all the girls pull those kinds of numbers and upwards, so she just considers it normal! In fact, after talking to her afterwards, I worked out that all the girls that have been training here more than a two months pull 130+ and squat 110+. In her mind, she's way behind!
Shelley has been a wonderful addition to our team here at PTC Rowville, she trains her ass off, listens to every word her coach says, and is the first person to run over with a round of applause and words of encouragement when someone puts in a great effort or gets a new PB! She has embraced, and is the epitome of, the PTC spirit. As her coach, I couldn't be prouder, and I cant wait to watch her carry on her strength journey here.
The thing that makes me most glad, is that we got her first, and she didn't have a chance to be discouraged or dissuaded by the people or the rubbish that often occurs in the strength/fitness industry (wait till my next blog...). Nice choice of first gym, Shelley!
Yours in strength,
Dan
PS. I'll put the deadlift video up as soon as I become technologically educated enough to fix it...