Maria Mikola - Fitness & Nutrition

Bench Press Contests

I have always enjoyed challenging myself with my strength capabilities. I have always wanted to do a power lifting competition. But for now I am happy to be able to participate in a charity bench press contest held annually at Ironworks Gym where I train. The funds are raised to help to provide programs and services for children with disabilities at the Pathways Health Centre for Children in our community. Other years the funds have gone to the Children's Wish Foundation and other worthy programs.

Here are my accomplishments:

1996 - only female to compete
          - max lift 175 lbs.

1997 - max lift 180 lbs.

1998 - didn't hold the competition this year

1999 - lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan
          - never made it home for the competition

2000 - I didn't get time to train for this contest, as I had just moved back to Ontario from Michigan.
          - but I did compete in it.
          - max lift 200 lbs.
         - First in class
        - Best Lifter Award

2001 - a week after first Canadian bodybuilding show
          - max lift 180 lbs.
          - First in class
        - Best Lifter Award

2002 - max lift 215 lbs.
          - First in class
        - Best Lifter Award

Other Max Lifts include:
Squats: 275 lbs. for 4 reps. (Never maxed out on squats)
Dead lifts: 315 lbs.
Bench Press: 225 lbs. (Not in competition)

2003
- max lift 215 lbs.
- First in class
- Best Lifter Award
- had been lifting 225 lbs. weeks previous to the contest

2004 - did not compete in bench press contest
- was invited to guest pose at the Grand Rapids Bodybuilding Championships in Michigan
- received "Best of the Best Award" Grand Rapids Best Body Builder In the Last 25 Years.

2005 - didn't specifically train for contest
- max lift 200 lbs.
- First in class
- Best Lifter Award

2006
- max lift 220 lbs.
- First in class
- Best Lifter Award
- new personal best in competition

2007
- max lift 215 lbs.
-First in Class
-Best Lifter Award

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