By Twenty- eight participants lifted and shifted their weight at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center’s second annual Bench Press Contest Wednesday afternoon.
The event took place in the SRWC’s main gym, and SRWC Fitness Coordinator Maureen McRae said three women and 25 men signed up for the contest. Some SRWC employees even participated, according to Shawn Del Rossi, associate director of the SRWC.
“There are six different weight categories for men and three for women,” McRae said.
Free giveaways, like Jelly Belly Sports Beans, were available to all participants.
Winners received either a protein shaker and a gift certificate for a Bod Pod test that measures body fat or $15 in University Bucks to be spent on campus.
Del Rossi said that in order for a lift to be cleared, there must be five points of contact.
“Both feet must stay on the floor, butt and back cannot leave the bench and spine must be aligned,” Del Rossi said.
Daniel Perez, a freshman business major, said he found out about the contest at the SRWC and thought it would be something fun to do.
“I don’t know how much I’ll lift; the max weight I’ve lifted is 250 pounds,” Perez said.
Sophomore health science major Michelle Nguyen said she had been practicing for about two weeks.
“I was trying to accomplish a goal,” Nguyen said.
She was unaware that participants were only allowed three attempts. Even though the maximum weight she could lift was 105 pounds, she chose to move up gradually and finished before she could reach her goal.
“Put your mind to it, and your body will follow,” Nguyen said.
Joshua Wolfsohn-Tate, personal trainer and senior communication studies major, maxed out at 310 pounds.
Wolfsohn-Tate said that he helped to promote the event and decided to participate because he thought he could handle the weightlifting contest.
“I didn’t really train,” Wolfsohn-Tate said. “I have been working out for myself, and [bench pressing] is a good way to lose weight yet maintain strength.”
The winners of the competition were Minh Tran of the 140 pounds-and-under weight class and Chris Sorensen of the 141-155 pounds weight class. The overall contest winner was Marcus Lindsey, who lifted a whopping 405 pounds.
“The highest weight lifted last year was 440 pounds,” McRae said.
Lindsey is a class of 1990 alumnus and former member of Phi Beta Sigma Inc.
“I am the strongest I’ve been since I was here at CSULB,” Lindsey said.
Lindsey tried to lift 455 pounds, but he was unable to clear the lift. He said this is his first time competing in such a contest and might come back next year to defend his title.
