Gravity Defied at IHSPLA Warrior Regional

By: Beyond Strength
Athletes, Powerlifting, Strong, , , Leave a Comment on Gravity Defied at IHSPLA Warrior Regional

Spectators and competitors moved in unison to the middle of the McHenry Community High School Upper campus weight room. Logyn Frappoly, a McHenry senior, took her place under a barbell; a barbell that was loaded with 365lbs. This would be Logyn’s 3rd and final squat attempt at the Warrior Regional Powerlifting Meet. A successful lift would give Logyn a perfect 3/3 on her squat attempts. Even more importantly, a good lift would earn Logyn yet another spot in the Illinois High School Powerlifting Association’s (IHSPLA) record book as the heaviest squat ever completed by a female lifter in the 181lbs weight class. The crowd was mostly quiet as Logyn shouldered the load. As soon as she unracked the weight, cheers filled the weight room as teammates, competitors, and spectators yelled and screamed encouragement. She began her descent

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Cultivating Joy

By: Beyond Strength
Mindfulness, WellnessLeave a Comment on Cultivating Joy

You have been programmed to believe that if you simply try and work harder than you will be successful. The German Philosopher Goethe once said … “Before you can do something, you must first be something.” In a culture that glorifies “the grind” it is important that you learn how to stop, to think and BE more. When you focus on being more you will feel and experience a greater sense of joy in your life.

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The Gathering of the Iron Tribes Begins…

By: Beyond Strength
Leadership/Character, Opportunity, , , , , , Leave a Comment on The Gathering of the Iron Tribes Begins…

2022 IHSPLA Season Kicks Off at the Charger Regional Author: Chris Dertz On Saturday, February 26th, the first meet of the 2022 Illinois High School Powerlifting Association (IHSPLA) season commenced on the campus of Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Palos Hills, Illinois. Representing the IHSPLA’s South Suburban Region, powerlifters from Sandburg, Romeoville, Marist, and…

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Everybody, Move!!

By: Beyond Strength
Move, Strength, Wellness, , , , , , , , 1 Comment on Everybody, Move!!

at the end of the day. Movement, as Caroline Williams explains, should be an essential component of our lives.

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Always Building

By: Beyond Strength
Leadership/Character, Motivation, , , , , , , Leave a Comment on Always Building

There are two ways to create the tallest building in town. One can spend all their time and energy tearing down the buildings around them, or one can focus on making their building the tallest. The value of the two final products will be vastly different.

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One of the Greats: Coach Bobby Bowden

By: Beyond Strength
Football, Leadership/CharacterLeave a Comment on One of the Greats: Coach Bobby Bowden

by Dr. Pat Ivey In 2021, we lost a legendary college head football coach. I never personally met Coach Bobby Bowden but I did have a chance to hear him speak at a national conference. The room was packed and everyone was eager to hear him present. If you ever listen to any of his…

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5 Easy SEL Lessons for Sport or PE

By: Beyond Strength
Opportunity, , , , , , , Leave a Comment on 5 Easy SEL Lessons for Sport or PE

Professors Carol Ciotto and Ellen Benham of Central Connecticut State University are experts on Social Emotional Learning (SEL). At the 2022 Health and Physical Literacy Summit, they shared a review of these skills, as well as in-room exercises to team them in an athletics/physical education space. Their strategies center on what is referred to as…

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The Relationship Between Posture, Stress, and Chronic Pain

By: Beyond Strength
Move, Strength, Leave a Comment on The Relationship Between Posture, Stress, and Chronic Pain

Posture is not as simple as your mom telling you “sit up straight”.  Rather, it is a product of common daily actions (like sitting, driving, or using a smartphone). Actions which are continuously executed result in an enhanced ability to recreate, due to increased neurological proficiency. Without an intervention, this cycle can significantly exacerbate poor posture, leading to chronic pain during daily life. This is because an improvement in posture is essentially a reduction in the amount of tension placed upon the bones by the muscles. 

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2022 Illinois H.S. Powerlifting Season

By: Beyond Strength
Athletes, Powerlifting, StrengthLeave a Comment on 2022 Illinois H.S. Powerlifting Season

IHSPLA Gearing Up For Spring 2022 Powerlifting Season! by Chris Dertz It’s time to replenish your supply of chalk and make sure that your singlet, lifting belt, and Chuck Taylors still fit! The 2022 Illinois High School Powerlifting Association (IHSPLA) 2022 spring season will be here soon! The last few years have been tough on…

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Creatine: Benefits and Drawbacks

By: Beyond Strength
Athletes, Eat, Safe, Leave a Comment on Creatine: Benefits and Drawbacks

By Matt Klem In high school athletics, the use of creatine has been a controversial topic, often leaving athletes and parents with questions regarding the potential benefits and consequences that it can have on athletic performance. However, there is emerging evidence indicating that if used in conjunction with a balanced diet and a consistent exercise…

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