By Russell Bennett
It’s the Cranbourne gym where everyday people can achieve the incredible – and on Sunday Iron Strength Sports hosted its annual Pretty and Powerful competition for female powerlifters to show what they’re made of.
Held in loving memory of Madi Tait – the sister of one of the strength training club’s great friends, Josh Tait – the competition raised money for both Redkite and the Australian Red Cross Blood Service.
The whole mantra of Iron Strength Sports, which is operated by the husband and wife team of Martin and Steph Nguyen, is that anyone can lift and learn to lift and better themselves.
“For women it is very empowering – especially in today’s society,” Martin said.
“I think for women to see other women lifting it’s quite empowering to know that they’re strong and capable of lifting heavy weights and getting stronger and kicking goals.”
The ‘Pretty and Powerful’ concept originated from a Brisbane gym a few years ago as they started running all-female powerlifting competitions.
Iron Strength Sports’ competition runs annually and provides local everyday women with the chance to show what they can achieve.
“All of the girls get behind each other and it’s a really good day,” Martin said.
“It’s competitive, but it’s also very encouraging to see the mateship between all the girls. They all know how hard each of them has worked to get there so it’s good to see.”
Iron Strength Sports sprung to life two-and-a-half years ago with a goal to bring to the table a quality product that looked after its members and had their best interests at heart.
Kane and Kelly Latham are a local husband and wife team that both train, and compete, at Iron Strength Sports.
For Kelly – a mum of two young boys – her powerlifting journey started just seven months ago. On Sunday, she competed in her first competition.
“I came into the sport with no powerlifting background, just personal training,” she explained.
“In February I attended Iron Strength Sports to watch my husband compete in his first-ever competition. I knew he lifted weights but to the extent I didn’t really understand. I just thought it was a men’s sport.”
After watching the competition Kelly made the decision to take the plunge and get involved, herself.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think it was possible to be able to pull a 100kg deadlift,” she said.
“At Iron strength it’s a family, it’s not your everyday gym. Every member is so welcoming and I think this is what made it even easier for me.”
On Sunday, just months after deciding to enter the world of powerlifting Kelly recorded some truly incredible numbers at ‘Pretty and Powerful’ – a 70kg squat, 40kg benchpress, and 100kg deadlift.
“Being a mum of two little boys and getting to the gym can be so hard and sometimes it feels easier just to stay home, but I get there and I get it done with both my kids,” she said.
“It’s one of the best things mentally and physically I have ever done.
“I’ve never been a runner or a netballer but I have finally found my sport. I can’t wait to see where I am in another seven months from now.”
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ironstrengthsports, email enquiries@ironstrengthsports.com.au, or call Steph on 0426 393 573.
