UNITY — Shauna Hammer earned a bronze medal competing at the Canadian Powerlifting Union National Championships for 2023 in Richmond B.C. the week of Feb. 13.
Hammer describes it as her best-ever placing.
Unity's powerlifting athlete participated in her first competition in 2016 and the 2023 event was the fourth national event she has been part of. In all she has competed in 15 competitions.
In an interview with the Unity-Wilkie Press-Herald and SASKTODAY.ca, Hammer says she was drawn to the sport watching other people she admired who were competing and saw that they seemed to being having fun with it.
“It’s a sport that plays to my mental strengths – setting personal goals, digging into the process, training in solitude, as well as investing in the long game of consistency and dedication.”
Of the recent national competition, Hammer says, “This is my first year as an M2 (Masters 2) and I set all new unequipped provincial records in that age/weight class, including back squat at 112.5kg, bench at 65kg and deadlift at 132.5kg for a combined total of 310kg or 683 lbs. My weight class is 57kg bodyweight.”
“It was a unicorn meet, successfully completing nine of nine attempts and setting personal bests in each discipline plus increasing my total by 12.5 kg or 27.5lbs. I've been chasing that bench number since May of 2022. Every kg is hard earned, with an average of eight hours a week of training time. I was competitive in my class, bringing home the bronze national medal, my best-ever placing.”
Hammer says this result is special for her as well as encouraging as she proved to herself that aging does not have to equal decline in muscle mass or strength.
The Fitness Lair staff team, where Hammer is a member and trains, says “We are so incredibly proud of Shauna for her success at CPU Nationals this past week. Shauna has been a member and a coach at the Fitness Lair for many years. We have the pleasure of watching her show up day after day, putting in the time, effort and unwavering dedication it takes to compete at such an elevated level of sport. Shauna's commitment to powerlifting, fitness and a healthy lifestyle in general is very inspiring to her fellow coaches and the many members of the Fitness Lair community.”
Also a Fitness Lair coach and athlete, Hammer says, “It's been a great experience with my fellow Saskatchewan teammates, plus meeting competitors from all over Canada.”
The Unity powerlifting athlete is looking forward to returning to training after enjoying the remainder of her mid-February week in Richmond as vacation days while watching other lifters putting together impressive performances.
Preparing for competition is not for the faint of heart as Hammer says her training is a year-round venture, dedicating four one- to two-hours sessions a week specifically to powerlifting, rounded out with general physical preparedness achieved through CrossFit classes twice a week, complemented with daily walking and mobility exercises.
To qualify for the national powerlifting competition, a lifter needs to compete at a smaller local meet to qualify for provincial championships. Attendance at provincials is mandatory each year to be part of Team Saskatchewan. A lifting athlete must also successfully complete a regional/Western Canadian event with Team Saskatchewan prior to become eligible for a national event.
Hammer says for both western and national competition, a powerlifter must meet minimum qualifying total scores at a previous meet prior to registering.
Asked what her biggest takeaway from the bronze medal win at the recent national event was, Hammer responds, “I have renewed energy to start the next training cycle. After taking some time to celebrate the day and appreciate the rewards and the people who helped me get here, I will contemplate the next hill to climb and the steps to get there.”
The newest national bronze medalist acknowledges that fellow competitors inspire her to believe the upper limit of her potential is still beyond the horizon.
“Success is different for everyone, and is definitely not linear,” affirms Hammer.
How does an athlete like Hammer balance training, work, home life and volunteer efforts? Her response is, “There is not straightforward answer to this as I am still learning and experimenting with what works and what doesn’t. One thing that has helped simplify the process is the stable weekly schedule and don’t vary a lot from that.”
Hammer says she is at the gym early in the morning, even on weekends and holidays. She maintains proper sleep and nutrition routines to maintain good energy for both work and training.
“For instance, my time in the gym, coaching and training are also part of my social life. Volunteer work is a social opportunity plus the chance to practise skills that benefit my professional development. I have an incredible support system and have learned to ask for help.”
As far as advice to prospective or potential powerlifters for taking up the sport, Hammer simply says, “Come talk to me.” She acknowledges she has made mistakes that can be learned from but is passionate about reducing anxiety and barriers to people truly enjoying fitness in a way that resonates with them. An experienced lifter can help navigate the rules and details that can be overwhelming to the prospective powerlifter.
“The friendships I've developed in the sport are truly special. It's a great community and there's always room for more.”
Hammer says she plans to be at the next national event taking place Sept. of 2023 in Summerside, P.E.I., while looking for a meet or two between now and then to continue testing her skills and strength.
