In the world of powerlifting, Julianne Taylor is something of a phenomenon.
I had the chance to speak to Julianne about how she got into powerlifting, and what it takes to compete at an international level.
Could you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m 59-years-old, a mum, a nutritionist, and a registered nurse.
How long have you been powerlifting?
I’ve been powerlifting for three years but, prior to that, I was going to the gym on a regular basis.
You’re representing New Zealand in the power weight lifting competition in Sweden. How did that come about?
I started powerlifting for a couple of years and noticed that I was getting stronger. Eventually, my personal trainer suggested that I start competing.
So I engaged the use of coach, Carli Dillen, who also represents New Zealand as a powerlifter. She got me ready for my first provincial competition, which was in April of last year.
My goal was to get a good enough result to get into the national competitions, which were held last August. Afterwards, my coach suggested that I apply to represent New Zealand.
And how do you prepare for this, what’s your training regimen like?
I train four or five times a week. I practise the standard lifts, which include bench presses, squats and deadlifts.
Besides age, are there any special concerns that older athletes should consider?
I think recovery is probably more important for older athletes because your body needs more time to recover from heavy weight sessions. If you do get niggling injuries, be prepared to get physio and get them sorted out quickly.
I think building up slowly is vital to avoid injuries. A really good gym/workout programme is also important so that you don’t take on too much too soon.
How did you get into it, what drew you to this sport?
I started going to a gym that advertised an eight-week training programme in powerlifting. After completing that, I just kept going because I really enjoyed it and really liked getting stronger.
Did you face any biases due to your age?
I haven’t faced any prejudices; the powerlifting community is incredibly supportive. Outside of powerlifting, I’ve had nothing but admiration and people telling me that it’s inspirational.
As a nutritionist, what are the benefits of a woman lifting weights?
There are huge benefits, especially for an older woman, because you can get osteoporosis, where your bones get weaker, and you lose
a lot of muscle mass. That process accelerates after the age of 50, so keeping your bones and muscles strong is really important.
It also means you’ll look better and feel a lot more confident about yourself as a result.
Do you feel as if women are under represented?
Yeah, I’d love to see more women in powerlifting, and strength training. At the moment, I’m pretty much the only one in my category. Having some competition would be really good.
What steps would someone who’s interested have to take?
Anyone can do it. I’d say having a good coach is really important. I also think that the first thing to consider is the technique. The technique’s vital so that you don’t end up hurting yourself.
If you do want to compete in competitions, then there are certain technical things you’ll have to do, otherwise your lift will be discounted. So a good coach and good technique are important.
Would you recommend it for everyone?
Only if they enjoy it. I think that everyone should do some sort of weight lifting to keep themselves strong. If they start doing powerlifting and they love it, then they should definitely keep going.
Any advice for people who think they’re too old to try something different?
I would say that if you’re mentally or physically capable, then you’re not too old to do anything. (KERRY LEE)
For more information on the upcoming powerlifting competition in Sweden, please visit www.powerliftingwp.co.za/event/world-classic-powerlifting-championships-2