The bar will be set high this weekend at XConditioning.
For the first time ever, the Canadian Powerlifting Federation (CPF) Western Canadian championships are being staged in B.C. and the downtown Prince George gym will be a hub of activity.
The two-day event, today and Sunday, is a dual meet. It also serves as the Global Powerlifting Committee (GPC) national championships.
The entry list includes 100 competitors from all over Western Canada who will hoist iron in the three powerlifting events - dead lift, bench press and squat.
"This is twice as big as any event we've ever had," said meet organizer Jay Cook.
Today's schedule includes equipped lifting and the men's 90-kilogram-and-over categories. On Sunday, the women get their chance to lift, sharing the stage with the men's 82.5kg-and-lighter weight classes. Competition runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
Of the 100 lifters, 29 are female. Close to half of all competitors are from Prince George.
"It's awesome, it's non-stop action," said Cook. "Everybody will be trying to lift as heavy as they've ever lifted. There's lift after lift all day, there's not a lot of downtime."
Cook encourages spectators to come out and watch. Seating is limited in the gym, east of Queensway at 505 Second Ave., but they will try to fit you in.
Winners of the championship titles for each sanctioning body will qualify for world competition. The GPC world championships are in Moscow, Russia, in November. CPF is affiliated with the World Powerlifting Congress, which will hold its world championships in Trutnov, Czech Republic, also in November.
