USA Powerlifting-NY would like to spotlight some of the stand-outs in the state. We will feature a new lifter each month, and ask them some random questions to get some insight into what makes them tick…..
This month’s featured lifter is AITOR LAPENA-GUTIERREZ.
A little about Aitor Lapena-Gutierrez
I was born and raised in Spain. I always practiced sports; judo, hockey, track, and field but not soccer (I hate soccer actually).
I moved to the USA in 2008 and I’m raising 2 beautiful kids.
Training Center: ABC Sports & Fitness
Question and Answer time!!
USA Powerlifting – NY: What got you interested in Powerlifting?
Aitor Lapena-Gutierrez: I’ve always been interested in strength sports. In the Basque country, where I was born, there are many rural sports that involve strength like stone lifting,
wood chopping, anvil lifting, tug-of-war. After going to the gym for many years I felt that I needed something more and Powerlifting was the perfect sport to compete again.
USA Powerlifting – NY: When and where was your first meet?
ALG: October 2016, NYS Championships at ABC Sports and Fitness in Latham, NY
USA Powerlifting – NY: What things have you learned since your first meet?
ALG: I think nutrition is the most important factor in my journey as a powerlifter.
USA Powerlifting – NY: What does the future hold for you in regards to powerlifting (PR’s higher total, weight loss, etc.)?
ALG: I’m working really hard to win the 2019 Raw Nationals in Chicago in the M1 -105 weight class.
USA Powerlifting – NY: What is your favorite of the “Big 3” and why?
ALG: Squats!. I’ve started quarter squatting during my track and field years and I think that transferred really well to the squat in powerlifting.
USA Powerlifting – NY: What is your least favorite of the “Big 3” and why?
ALG: I don’t have a least favorite. Sometimes it’s bench and sometimes it’s deadlifts when things are not going well.
USA Powerlifting – NY: Do you follow a specific training program? If so, is it a custom program for you or a template style program like 5/3/1 or the Texas Method?
ALG: My coach is Tina Tornado and I follow a custom program based on RPE.
USA Powerlifting – NY: Do you lift as part of a team or a group? Who are they and how did you become part of that group?
ALG: I am part of Bent Bar Powerlifting. I became part of this team thanks to Jared Sachs (NYS powerlifting referee and also a member of the team)
USA Powerlifting – NY: What advice would you give a newbie powerlifter?
ALG: Powerlifting is a marathon, stick to the basics and trust the process and the PRs will come.
USA Powerlifting – NY: Tell us something about you that those in the powerlifting world wouldn’t know about you (guilty pleasure, vice, anything at all)?
ALG: I work as a software developer and … did I say I hate soccer even though I am a Spaniard?
Bonus Question
USA Powerlifting – NY: Who is your favorite powerlifting athlete and why?
ALG: Jesse Norris, I think because he’s one of the first powerlifters I started to follow on Youtube and also because of his unbelievable strength on squat and deadlift.
