Equipped powerlifting in all respects is completely crazy. Using bands, shirts, etc with reinforcement to allow an athlete to move incredible amounts of weight in each of the three disciplines. The challenge is that the margins of being able to complete the lift are extremely fine and require the athlete to have, not just strength, but excellent technique and an ability to ‘zone in’ and switch everything on physically and mentally to commit to the lift.
Tom Sheppard, when this image was shot back in 2022, had started to pursue his equipped lifting journey and at the time this was one of his big attempts. It was an extremely grabbed shot as I noticed the extreme concentration on Tom’s face, plus the incredible vein popping in his forearms as he took the initial weight. It’s not the best framed shot but it shows the commitment Tom had put into the lift.
How was it taken?
Date : 26th March 2022
Photographer : Mark Sims
Location : Leamington Spa, UK
Camera : Canon 1DX mkii
Lens : Canon EF 24-105mm f.4 IS USM
Shutter speed : 1/50 second
Aperture : f5.6
ISO : 500
