Seth is a powerlifter, therefore reads a variety of lifting magazines. As these magazines are often in the bathroom I read them when I have a bit of time - also, you know, to support my husband. In the November/December issue of Power there is an article by lifter Mike Tuchscherer on squat depth, as in the need (or not) of an agreement on how deep a squat should go to be considered valid. It's a topic that, for the most part, only matters to those within the sport, but a particular statement, quite unrelated to the article itself, caught my attention: "Powerlifting has always been a blue-collar sport that rewards hard and diligent work." Such a claim seems a bit presumptuous on the part of Tuchscherer: how is, or has, powerlifting been a "blue-collar sport"? Is it because it's assumed the basis is just "lift a bunch of heavy stuff" that doesn't require any special or expensive equipment? Last time I checked (which is often, because of the husband) the gear required - or necessary - for powerlifting is pretty steep, not to mention the cost of gym memberships. Is it because it's a sport in which "hard and diligent work" pay off? Is there a sport where that doesn't apply? (And is it elitist and non-blue-collar of me to point out that "hard and diligent work" is redundant?)
This idea intrigues and I plan to look into further. Get excited: I might be up to some investigative journalism.
What is the history of the support? Despite the high cost it may requires now, has it traditionally been an "everyman" sport (as opposed to something like golf, which has always been played by the rich)?
ReplyDeleteSecondly, I wonder if there even is such a thing as a sport now where one can complete at an elite level and not have high expenses. The right shoes, the right coach, the right practice space, etc. And that's not factoring in travel to competitions.