A new fitness program is emerging on campus this semester. Sophomore powerlifter Tyler Butkus has introduced his own E-fit-like powerlifting program to his fellow students. With this small and informal program, Butkus is hoping to build a micro-community of enthusiastic powerlifters as well as promote another way to get students to become active at Elizabethtown College.
January has always been the month of New Year’s resolutions and here at the College many students take those resolutions very seriously. Many students start off their spring semester by attending more of the E-fit events on campus and visiting the Body Shop more frequently. This is their valiant effort to accomplish the resolution of losing weight or getting fit in the upcoming year. Most days, the gym is packed, and students can often see Butkus overseeing and training with the students in his new powerlifting program.
Butkus became enthusiastic about powerlifting in high school when he was required to do strength training for swimming. He noticed his lack of technique and was eager to fix it. Butkus researched powerlifting and trained to become better at his technique. He recently qualified to compete in the USA Powerlifting Nationals this October. Butkus aims to bring his knowledge and love of powerlifting to campus through his program.
“I just want to clarify, it’s not an official club or anything,” Butkus said. “It’s more like a loose conglomeration of students going to the gym to powerlift together.” The Schlosser resident assistant posted a flyer on his door to see if people would be interested in powerlifting. He wanted to encourage his residents to become active as well as build community among his first-year honors floor. Butkus thought this could be a great way to get to them involved.
The feedback he received was very positive. Many of his residents expressed interest. Butkus reported that on the first day the program met, nine male students went to the gym with him to powerlift. It is not just the men looking to get fit, either. Three female students who were willing to give powerlifting a shot also joined the program.
Butkus’s program is a raw powerlifting program in which one lifts without any of the special clothes needed for equipped powerlifting. It consists of three types of lifts; squat, deadlift, and bench press. The lifter has three attempts to reach their highest combined total weight. “I am in no way a coach, but I’m more than happy to help those who are interested in improving their lifting techniques.” Butkus is hoping that the program will build a community on campus for those who are passionate about lifting.
