Interviews

   

BARRY PIGOTT – IRISHPF NO.1 MALE LIFTER. : Q&A

1.  At what age did you start powerlifting?

Well I’m 25 now, I started lifting when I was 14 but didn’t start powerlifting until I was 20 .. so competing in powerlifting for 5 years.

2. Do you believe nutrition has a big impact in strength gains?

Nutrition always plays a massive role in any physical performance. So ensuring you have the right foods to train and even more importantly the right foods to help recover will make a difference. But also to ensure as a lifter you make the most of the weight you have on your body, since we are restricted by weight classes the leaner you are (within useful limits) means the better and bigger you can be in a weight class

3. How many litres of milk do you drink a day?

Always get asked this .. i have always just liked to drink milk, i probably drink on average a minimum of 2 to 3L a day. I’m never overly hungry early in the morning or immediately after training so it’s a good way to get some calories, carbs and protein in without having to actually eat.

4. Would you ever hire yourself a coach? Yes/No, why?

Would I, yes. Have I, no not yet.

A coach is probably one of the best things a lifter can have, to watch over lifts and provide feedback on movement as well as managing programming. However, I think there’s a lot I know I’m doing wrong that I am aware of that i need to fix so don’t see the point in hiring a coach just yet … when I get to a stage where I can’t see or feel what I’m doing wrong then I will get one but I have a lot of silly stuff to fix yet.

I am also lucky enough to be friends with a small group of some very strong and smart lifters, we share videos and offer feedback to each other. Without any sugar coating which is essential. I’d sooner be told I’m doing 10 things wrong than get a high 5 and say I did 100 things right .. it’s not what you’re doing right is hindering you

5. Do you set short and/or long term goals? If so, are you open to share those goals with us?

Yes I always have goals, would get bored without them. I enjoy knocking off small goals as you get a great sense of satisfaction out if them and it’s all the little short term goals that make the medium term ones possible. Well one of my current goals is a 500 wilks, I was within reaching distance if  had a little more diesel in the tank for final deadlifts at nationals. Current short to medium term goals for the 3 lifts are  as follows Squat, hit a 300kg squat. On platform, in a gym or in a field for all i care once i get to take it down and back up again i’ll be thrilled. Bench, The next number I’ll be happy with or proud of is 227.5 (a hair over 500lbs if you use freedom units).  That’s possibly borderline a long term goal but I’ll lie to myself on that one. Deadlift, my next goal is to pull something in excess of 300kg on a platform after I’ve made 3 solid and genuine attempts on the other two movements.

6. What are your go to accessory lifts for squat, bench and deadlift?

My favourite accessory movements are seated good mornings for squats, paused incline DB presses for bench and either pause at the knee or deficit pause at floor pulls for deadlifts.

7. Who is your favourite lifter and why?

My favourite lifter, asides from Arthur Lynch, it’s a toss up between Andrey Malanichiev and Kirk Karwoski. Andrey is an incredibly humble lifter and probably (long term) one of the greatest squatters of all time. Kirk is just an insanely strong human with an even stronger personality so if you don’t get a little fired up watching his 1000 lbs double there’s something wrong with you.

8. What do you do to get your head in the game before a big lift in training or in a comp?

I’m a fairly quiet lifter so don’t really need to get my head in the game or get psyched up. I tend to talk less and sit to the side the heavier the lifts get, just breathe and picture moving the weight etc. Not one to shout or jump around before a lift, just slow things down think about what I’m doing and do it.

 

 

 

We got the chance to ask USAPL Champ, Bryce Lewis a couple of questions. From attempt selection to training strategy.