Mums’ bodies transformed

TWO MOTHERS GAINED MORE THAN FITNESS THROUGH POWERLIFTING, WRITES

AMY Hansen, 33, and Lorraine Hamilton, 37, are both proud members of the ‘100 Club’.

The powerlifting mums say being able to reach 100kg in a lift was the big goal and something they have both now achieved.

Both have since gone beyond 100kg lifts, with Lorraine reaching the crowning achievement of 176kg in a deadlift. Both mums have transformed their bodies – shedding huge amounts of weight – and their lives since joining The Box at Kangaroos Leagues Club, Mooroobool.

“It keeps me fit,” Lorraine says. “It gets you going for the day ahead. I can keep up with my children. I probably wouldn’t do as much with them if I didn’t do this.”

Lorraine – who is mother to Nadia, 1, Lelita, 11, and Victor, 9, – has been training for five years. The 9am class at The Box appealed, along with the fact her children could either train there too or be entertained while she worked out.

As for Amy and son Patrick, 11, they’ve been attending The Box for more than a year.

Amy recently competed in a local Powerlifting Australia event, which she says was “fun but still nerve wracking”.

“It’s just about getting in there and doing it,” Amy says.

“It’s not about winning, it’s about getting that personal best. It (powerlifting) makes you feel good. Since doing this I’ve had more energy and you also take more pride in your body. For me it’s that place away from everything. When you are training and lifting, that’s all you are concentrating on.”

The bubbly Amy says she had no confidence when she started powerlifting but has since become a role model for her son.

“It’s good for our kids to see us do it,” she says. “While we train they can be doing the kids classes.”

Lorraine believes powerlifting helps women to change the way they view themselves. She also says women are being taken more seriously in the sport, now that so many are competing.

“We take pride in what we can do,” she says. “With body image, we don’t worry about how much we weigh. You can drop a dress size but weigh more. I can now deadlift 176kg. When I first started I never pictured myself as someone who could lift that.”

FOR ME IT’S THAT PLACE AWAY FROM EVERYTHING. WHEN YOU ARE TRAINING AND LIFTING, THAT’S ALL YOU ARE CONCENTRATING ON.