Kate Kingsbury and Evren Cubukgil, Exeter College power lifter

Kate Kingsbury dead lifting

Steve Pellegrino, former Exeter student, started the Exeter College Power Lifting Tradition in 2005 when his amazing performance allowed Oxford's Power Lifting Club to triumph over Cambridge alongside Jame Kirkham a fellow Exeter student. Steve met two fellow Exeter students in the Exeter MCR and his passion for the sport inspired them to join the team when it re-opened in 2007.

Evren Cubukgil, D.Phil in Economics, will be competing against Cambridge in the Varsity event in June. Kate Kingsbury, D.Phil in Anthropology, is the first woman to have ever joined the team and hopes to start an all female power lifting team in 2009 so as to open up the sport to women.

Evren Cubukgil squatting

Power lifting consists of three events: bench press, dead lifting and squatting. These events are judged according to Wilks Points which comprise a ratio based on weight lifted per body weight.
In addition to the Varsity event, the team hold regular competitions at the Iffley Road Sports center which are open to all members of the university.

Health Benefits

Weight training is now seen as vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Power lifting increases not only strength but bone density. It promotes joint integrity and mobility as well as increasing back strength. It also protects against back, joint and muscle injury. Due to the increases in bone density power lifting is particularly beneficial for those at risk of osteoporosis (especially women), since increased bone density is the decisive factor in preventing osteoporosis later in life. Strength is useful in everyday life plus for various emergency and self-defense situations.