Just one more plate…

I’m encouraged by the amount of athletes that enjoy lifting weights. It’s apparent that Malta has had plenty of success in sports thanks in part to a hard work ethic in the gym.

Since my high school years I have also become infatuated with becoming stronger through weight training.

I’ve never turned to alcohol or drugs during the “low” times in my life. I’ve always found prayer and the iron to be more therapeutic.

There’s nothing like kicking off your week with 300 pounds on the back of your neck.

Only the Lord knows why the pain from a good workout feels so good. Maybe it’s the fact that you feel like you’ve put in hard work.

Growing up I didn’t have hay bales to move. I didn’t have an elk to carry up a mountain. The only cattle I saw were through my car window as I drove by various pastures in Illinois.

I guess what I’m saying is that I didn’t have many constructive things to build my strength.

So when I found out that our high school had an after school lifting program that was primarily for athletes, I was intrigued.

Kids today like cartoons like SpongeBob and Phinehas and Ferb…. Yuck.

When I was younger it was all about X-Men, Batman and Street Sharks. Every hero on those shows was huge and ripped like they were on steroids.

I was born premature and until second grade, I was a runt. Then I found junk food and pop and I’ve been overweight ever since.

It took a few times of getting picked on that I knew I needed to get huge. So I turned to weights.

My first experience with lifting began in my family’s basement, where my mom and dad got me a weightlifting bench for Christmas around my freshman year of high school.

A few days later I overestimated my strength and got pinned down. Being out of control with a lot of weight on top of you is a scary feeling.

Since then I have been lifting on-and-off for about 14 years and have only gotten pinned once since then.

I’ve found that lifting weights is a great way to release stress, anxiety, anger, etc.

So, athletes remember when you feel like punching something or someone; first off find a pil-low, because I have seen way too many broken hands and wrists. Secondly, go hit the gym. Weight training will only help you in your pursuit to be the best athlete you can be.

Lastly, be smart about the amount of weight you use without a partner. The best thing you can do is grab a buddy to workout with. Not only does having a friend give you a spotter, it also forces you to push yourself.