Big 3 Challenge promotes community within powerlifting
For gym bros and couch potatoes alike, Utah State University’s third annual Big 3 Challenge is in season. The event is open to all levels of powerlifters, providing inclusion for those who have never lifted and a challenge for those who lift every day.
This year, the Big 3 Challenge took place from Feb. 27-29 and will happen again from Mar. 4-7 from 6-8 p.m. in the Fieldhouse. The event is free for USU students, and those who complete the challenge get a t-shirt.
Jordan Higbee, lead personal trainer at Campus Recreation, is a sophomore studying exercise science and elementary education. Higbee said the Big 3 Challenge consists of recording how much weight one can bench press, squat and deadlift and combining the numbers.
“You’re put into a club based on the totals being added together,” Higbee said. “That goes all the way from 250 up to 1,200 pounds.”
According to Higbee, the challenge started because the powerlifting club needed volunteer hours.
“You just show up, and we’ve got all the powerlifting team and all the trainers to help you out,” Higbee said. “Everyone there is happy to have you there.”
Higbee helped run the event last year, and said he was excited to help with the challenge again.
“I just love being around the energy around people lifting,” Higbee said. “It’s a very positive environment, like whether you’re a new lifter or very advanced.”
Higbee said the atmosphere in the Fieldhouse during the challenge is inspiring.
“I can’t count how many times people have been ready to lift, and they see someone else about to start and they’re like, ‘Wait, I want to watch them achieve that one,’” Higbee said.
Chance Marstella (center) makes one of his squat attempts during the Big 3 Challenge on Feb 28.
Derek Hayes, a sophomore in nutrition science, is a personal trainer with Campus Recreation. Hayes has helped with the event for the past two years.
“We follow close to powerlifting guidelines from actual competitions,” Hayes said. “You have to squat to a certain depth, things of that nature.”
According to Hayes, the staff enjoys helping with the challenge and have established a system to assist students.
“We have assignments as far as spotting, helping load and judging goes,” Hayes said. “We have judges to make sure it meets the standards we have set for it.”
Hayes said the set-up of the event is mostly getting plates and barbells from the weight room. The other important factor in preparing for the event is advertising.
Taylor Sledge, a graduate student in organic chemistry, saw the advertisement for the Big 3 Challenge in the ARC last year.
“I enjoyed the challenge,” Sledge said. “I really enjoyed being very pumped up for other people, to just be supportive of people exercising.”
Sledge said he’s going to come back to do the challenge again this year because he loved the positive environment.
“It’s like a powerlifting competition for everybody,” Sledge said. “It’s about testing yourself to lift, but also in a fun, open manner with people there to support you.”
Aaron Bryner, a junior in kinesiology, has participated in the challenge the past couple of years.
“I don’t really do any strength training,” Bryner said. “Lifting weights and just trying to see people have fun is interesting to me.”
According to Bryner, the supportive nature of the Big 3 Challenge makes it feel possible to meet weight goals.
“Last year, I tried to do a 15 pound increase on my deadlift to get to the 1,000 pound club,” Bryner said. “With all of the support, I could do it.”
According to Bryner, free and available campus recreation opportunities like the Big 3 Challenge are incredibly important.
“The more it’s accessible, the more people are going to be willing to do them,” Bryner said. “Especially for college students who may be more prone to just hanging out in their apartments.”
According to Hayes, participating in campus recreation is a good way to have variety in a period of life dominated by school.
“As students, we need to be able to de-stress,” Hayes said. “Recreational activities, especially activities you enjoy, is a good way to balance yourself and be more successful in school.”
Although the Big 3 Challenge is only open to USU students, Higbee said Campus Recreation is opening more opportunities to the community.
“We do offer things that community members can come to, like training and events,” Higbee said. “Campus Rec is great for anyone because they all have access to it.”
To find out more about the Big 3 Challenge and how to participate, visit usu.edu/campusrec/fitness/special-events.
“I think everybody should try it,” Sledge said. “It’s a morale booster.”