I have been Powerlifting for 15 years and a member of the National Masters Powerlifting Team for 3 out of the last 6 years. I finished 6th at the World Championships in the Czech Republic in 2010 and placed in the top 10 in 2005 and again in 2009.
On Thursday September 15, 2011 I successfully attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the most amount of weight lifted squatting in one hour, which was 125,065 lbs set in 2009 by 32 year old “Six Pack” Ryan Lapadat. I guess I should mention I am 21 years older than Ryan “Six Pack” Lapadat the former record holder…..I was 53 in January 2011.
My record target weight was 126,000 lbs, which was to be accomplished by completing 700 to 1000 squats at various weights in one hour or 11 or 17 squats per minute for 60 minutes.
On September 15, 2011 on Live With Regis and Kelly I officially broke the record exceed my target weight lifting 127,245 lbs over 904 squats in one hour on live national TV.
My effort to break the current world record was to bring attention to the fact the adults can continue to remain healthy and get stronger longer than even before, and well into their 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.
But to be honest, it was not always that way. After spending a weekend traveling, I once again realized how difficult it is to find time and maintain motivation to exercise. I further realized that while many people find it hard to exercise when traveling, the majority of us don’t exercise at all.
As you start out on your new adventure here are a few suggestions:
- Visit your doctor for a check up or physical to ensure there are no health risks.
- Find something you like – make it your passion.
- Ask professionals for help – avoid friends or relatives unless they are professionals.
- Start small and work up.
- Try to make it fun.Walk, run, bike, swim, enroll in fitness classes, lift weights, do something and anything…
- Do not be intimidated by others – we all started in the same place.
Remember it’s exercise, you decide when, where, how long and what and to coin the phrase, “JUST DO IT!”
Get up, get started and don’t give up!
Walter Urban is an American born Powerlifter and Guinness World Record holder and challenger living in Canada. Walter competed in the Powerlifting World Championships in 2005, 2009 and 2010 placing 6th representing Canada in the Czech Republic. Walter holds and MBA from Bowling Green University and a BS in Economics from Albright College. Walter is a license private pilot, licensed skydiver, a former pro ski racer, hang glider pilot, runner and Formula Ford race car driver and a former member of the 1982 United States Parachute Para-Ski Team. Walter is the President andowner of Urban Dynamics Inc a consulting company www.urbandynamics.net. Walter and his family reside in Guelph Ontario. For more information on Walter visit www.walterurban.com