By: Chandler Canady
Georgia Southern Student, Caleb Alexander, 21, tapes up as he prepares to do a power squat. He is training for an upcoming competitive lifting meet.
Caleb grabs the bar as he is about to put it on his neck. "I have been lifting for a while, and always challenge myself to go up in weight. I know that the pain is temporary."
Caleb performs a full squat as he is spotted by one of his lifting friends. "I need a spotter if I want to go full weight. I could legitimately kill myself if I slip and fall."
Caleb stares at himself in the mirror as he waits to go down for another rep. Each time Caleb adds a plate on, the weight gets a little bit heavier.
Caleb takes his tape off as he finishes the set. "I use the tape for grip. When things are really really heavy I want to have as much stuff to help me as possible to not slip."
The tree sits to add good energy in the middle of the Georgia Southern RAC. The RAC is where Caleb does the bulk of his practice.
Caleb begins to do a variation of a deadlift. "The lower body is highly undervalued and under-appreciated when it comes to strength. A strong lower body is necessary for success in competition."
Caleb executes his deadlift. A deadlift is a full body exercise that involves a variation of a squat.
Caleb tapes up for his last reps of deadlifts. "I enjoy deadlifts, but they also provide the highest risk of injury. It is so important that people really understand what they are doing before they start lifting."
Caleb is physically tired after completing his last set of deadlifts. "Usually, I come work out for two hours daily. It is a huge time commitment but it is worth it to me. The results are addictive."
The box helps lifters and those doing cardio to increase or lessen the intensity of an exercise. This box is an excellent tool often used by professional athletes.
Caleb attempts a box-assisted squat. "A box assist is helpful on a squat because it helps the lifter get back up. Usually I am lifting heavy weight with the assist so it is quite helpful."
Caleb is satisfied as he leaves his set of box-assist squats. "I wear my headphones because they get me in the zone. It clears out all the noise and helps me focus on what I want in the moment."
Caleb gets ready for his final set with the box. He is maxing out weight on this particular set.
Caleb finishes a day of training with calf raises. Often this is the most excruciating exercise due to the number of reps.
Caleb goes up on a calf raise. "For this exercise, number of reps really does matter."
Caleb adds weight to his calf raises to increase the stress on his muscles. Caleb mentioned that he wears knee braces because of the pressure applied to his knees while lifting.
Caleb starts to walk off the machine as he finishes his set. After he gets off the machine, it is challenging for him to walk.
