"I didn't train specifically for this (powerlifting) meet. I just continued to follow Jason's programming and CrossFit five days a week."
In the quest to qualify for this year’s CrossFit Games, Lee Lipsitz ended up breaking two American Powerlifting Association world records.
An athlete at CrossFit Milford in Connecticut since its inception in the spring of 2008, Lipsitz hasn’t always counted strength as her strength.
“I was a high-school gymnast until I turned 15, and then never did much of anything until I turned 43,” Lipsitz says. “When I first started getting active, our gym was a boot-camp style gym. I couldn't even do push-ups on my knees. I had to do them against the wall.”
Since then, Lipsitz has been working on becoming a more well-rounded athlete.
“This year, I am trying hard to become that balanced CrossFitter and make it to the Games,” she says. “I try every year and every year I get better and better. Seeing as there is no age limit, I know I'll get there eventually.”
Specifically, Lipsitz has gone from a three on, one off training schedule, to five days a week with rest on Thursdays and Sundays.
“I rarely miss a day. It probably took a year to get a pull-up and be able to hold myself up on the rings. I truly can't remember,” she says. “It just takes incredible amounts of patience, and I work hard.”
A year ago, Lipsitz was “probably the strongest and fastest I have ever been.” Then she broke her foot.
“I had to have surgery and was non-weight bearing for three months,” she says. “I still came in maybe four days a week and did upper body work, but I obviously lost a lot of my strength and fitness. I haven't quite regained it all back yet, but I am getting there.”
Once her foot healed, Lipsitz’s doctor gave the OK for her to train. She started following CrossFit Milford’s competition programming around May of this year.
“The competition programming focuses on CrossFit as a sport,” affiliate owner and head coach, Jason Leydon, says. “So that goes through cycles with the competitors to make sure they have the right balance between muscular imbalances, strength versus speed, neuromuscular efficiency and training in their correct pathways for proper development, and then properly layering the ability to function in the different pathways.”
Regular programming is for basic general physical preparedness, he explains.
“That is for members who are not looking to compete, but want to come in get a great workout and have fun,” Leydon says. “Lee has always worked her tail off and never let anything get in her way. She progressed quickly through the workouts.”
From an athlete’s point of view, the difference between regular and competition programming is the focus on more challenging gymnastics movements, such as muscle-ups, handstand push-ups and pistols, Lipsitz says.
“And the weights are heavier,” she adds.
A Historic Lift
Although she had never competed in powerlifting before, Lipsitz stumbled upon the October Pillars of Power: Powerlifting Push/Pull event and decided to compete.
“I chose to do this meet because I love powerlifting and thought it would be fun. I had no idea I could potentially set any records when I signed up,” Lipsitz says. “Once I signed up for the meet, I started looking on the (American Powerlifting Association - World Powerlifting Association) website and stumbled across the world- and American-records listings. I wasn't sure they were up to date and accurate, but thought I could at least try to beat them.”
At that time, the deadlift world record for her age and weight division — she’s 47 and 148 pounds — was 305 lb. Lipsitz’s personal record was 335 lb. Her goal then became to set a new world record.
“I didn't train specifically for this meet. I just continued to follow Jason's programming (and) CrossFit five days a week,” Lipsitz says.
At the meet, she deadlifted 320 lb. with ease. After the meet, she emailed the APA to make sure the world records listed online were accurate. The answer was yes.
“I was stoked and proud of myself,” Lipsitz says. “I feel like I stumbled upon it, but it has certainly validated all the hard work I have done in the gym and in the kitchen, because most of us can't out-train a bad diet.”
She says she avoids processed foods and sugar, and mostly follows a paleo diet while adding oatmeal, brown rice and Greek yogurt.
An added surprise came when the APA informed her she also set a world record for her weight class and age division with her 145-pound bench press.
“I definitely want to continue competing in powerlifting, and at some point, I’ll refocus my training for it. I just don't know when,” Lipsitz says. “I've got lots of time. I'm still young and I'm still getting stronger and faster every day.”
Lipsitz, Leydon says, is a powerful athlete.
He adds: “Lee embodies what CrossFit is all about: passion, dedication and love for fitness.”
