Post by Mike White on Nov 10, 2006 7:50:07 GMT -5
Chris Clark is from Mount Airy, North Carolina and lifts at Granite City Barbell Club. This past week at the WPC World Finals he totaled a massive 2310 in the SHW Open class. Very impressive!
1. Mike White: Congratulations Chris. How does it feel to be the new WPC Super Heavy Weight champion?
Chris Clark: I am excited..Had no expectation of winning when I went...only wanted to place.
2. MW: Give us a brief background on Chris Clark.
CC: 39 years old, father of two, Christopher (20) (who was an accomplished teen lifter) and Kristi (14). Married to a very understanding wife, Donna, who tolerates my training and gives up vacations in lieu of competitions. Started competing bench only in 1999, did my first APF full meet in 2003..since then I have won at The Master/ Sub-master nationals, competing at the Senior Nationals in Las Vegas and Most recently at the WPC worlds in NY. my competition bests are 970 squat, 675 Bench and 733 deadlift with a near miss at 800 in SC this year, I passed out at the top. Best gym lifts are 1030 - 725 -825.
3. What got you into Powerlifting?
CC: Chris Cooke, I started training with Chris Cooke in 1998. I was at the gym I trained at and heard someone talking about a guy that benched 500 + pounds and I thought this is the guy I need to train with, so I heard what time he would arrive and when he did I was waiting for him and I introduced myself as his new training partner.
4. What style of training do you employ? How is your pre-competition training structured?
CC: a blend of Westside, Metal Militia and things I have seen and tried that work for me and I keep them.
Starting raw on squats and gradually progressing to more equipment and less reps with more weight to suspended chain work pulling less and less from the floor at the end.
Bench work is basically the same year round but with heavier raw work on Tuesdays at the beginning
5. MW: I know that you work hard to maintain your size and weight and having eaten with you many times it’s clear that you aren’t afraid to make a second trip through the buffet line. Give us an idea what it takes to get as big as you are and stay there.
CC: 8000 calories a day with massive amounts of protein, I eat pretty clean for a SHW. I get at least half my daily protein from foods, takes all sorts of vitamins and antioxidants.
6. MW: What are the most important things to do and consider on meet day?
CC: That everything will not be perfect and accept it ahead of time and be ready to adapt. Be confident in your training and have fun.
7. MW: We’ve all heard that our mind plays a critical part in training and competing. Just how important is the mental aspect? What do you do to prepare your mind and body for the tremendous beating they’re about to take?
CC: Your mind is either your biggest adversary or your biggest asset, Program it to succeed. Practice makes perfect, train at different locations and under different conditions. Learn to get ready in less than one minute.
8. MW: If someone who knew nothing about Powerlifting asked you to explain it, what would you tell them?
CC: It is a sport of individual principles that cannot be executed properly without the help of many. It is you against the iron, the ultimate power trip...It is a sport where your competitors will teach you what they know, unselfishly.
9. MW: What advice would you give to beginner and intermediate lifters?
CC: Beginners should find a group of accomplished lifters and learn from people that have already learned from their mistakes
Intermediate lifters - Be open minded, continue your quest of knowledge...read everything, try it..if it works keep it, if not move on. Pay your dues, it will happen.
10. MW: What are your short-term and long-term goals for Powerlifting?
CC: Short term goals: squat 1000 Bench 700 and pull 800 in a meet.
Long term goals: the sky is the limit, let's roll!!!! Long term goals are only mental limits.
Chris, take this time to identify your team helpers and those who have helped you along the way. Oh yeah, you can also thank your new sponsor. Congrats on that!
CC: The list is long, but here are the highlights....Tim Higgins, Ox Mason, Travis Mash, Chris Cooke, Hannah Johnson, Barry Williams, Barry Wood, Ben Hooker, Mike White, Rusty Slate, the entire Granite City Team, Joey Smith and all the Nebo Guys, all the wives, and way too many more to thank....Thanks to Metal for giving me a chance.
1. Mike White: Congratulations Chris. How does it feel to be the new WPC Super Heavy Weight champion?
Chris Clark: I am excited..Had no expectation of winning when I went...only wanted to place.
2. MW: Give us a brief background on Chris Clark.
CC: 39 years old, father of two, Christopher (20) (who was an accomplished teen lifter) and Kristi (14). Married to a very understanding wife, Donna, who tolerates my training and gives up vacations in lieu of competitions. Started competing bench only in 1999, did my first APF full meet in 2003..since then I have won at The Master/ Sub-master nationals, competing at the Senior Nationals in Las Vegas and Most recently at the WPC worlds in NY. my competition bests are 970 squat, 675 Bench and 733 deadlift with a near miss at 800 in SC this year, I passed out at the top. Best gym lifts are 1030 - 725 -825.
3. What got you into Powerlifting?
CC: Chris Cooke, I started training with Chris Cooke in 1998. I was at the gym I trained at and heard someone talking about a guy that benched 500 + pounds and I thought this is the guy I need to train with, so I heard what time he would arrive and when he did I was waiting for him and I introduced myself as his new training partner.
4. What style of training do you employ? How is your pre-competition training structured?
CC: a blend of Westside, Metal Militia and things I have seen and tried that work for me and I keep them.
Starting raw on squats and gradually progressing to more equipment and less reps with more weight to suspended chain work pulling less and less from the floor at the end.
Bench work is basically the same year round but with heavier raw work on Tuesdays at the beginning
5. MW: I know that you work hard to maintain your size and weight and having eaten with you many times it’s clear that you aren’t afraid to make a second trip through the buffet line. Give us an idea what it takes to get as big as you are and stay there.
CC: 8000 calories a day with massive amounts of protein, I eat pretty clean for a SHW. I get at least half my daily protein from foods, takes all sorts of vitamins and antioxidants.
6. MW: What are the most important things to do and consider on meet day?
CC: That everything will not be perfect and accept it ahead of time and be ready to adapt. Be confident in your training and have fun.
7. MW: We’ve all heard that our mind plays a critical part in training and competing. Just how important is the mental aspect? What do you do to prepare your mind and body for the tremendous beating they’re about to take?
CC: Your mind is either your biggest adversary or your biggest asset, Program it to succeed. Practice makes perfect, train at different locations and under different conditions. Learn to get ready in less than one minute.
8. MW: If someone who knew nothing about Powerlifting asked you to explain it, what would you tell them?
CC: It is a sport of individual principles that cannot be executed properly without the help of many. It is you against the iron, the ultimate power trip...It is a sport where your competitors will teach you what they know, unselfishly.
9. MW: What advice would you give to beginner and intermediate lifters?
CC: Beginners should find a group of accomplished lifters and learn from people that have already learned from their mistakes
Intermediate lifters - Be open minded, continue your quest of knowledge...read everything, try it..if it works keep it, if not move on. Pay your dues, it will happen.
10. MW: What are your short-term and long-term goals for Powerlifting?
CC: Short term goals: squat 1000 Bench 700 and pull 800 in a meet.
Long term goals: the sky is the limit, let's roll!!!! Long term goals are only mental limits.
Chris, take this time to identify your team helpers and those who have helped you along the way. Oh yeah, you can also thank your new sponsor. Congrats on that!
CC: The list is long, but here are the highlights....Tim Higgins, Ox Mason, Travis Mash, Chris Cooke, Hannah Johnson, Barry Williams, Barry Wood, Ben Hooker, Mike White, Rusty Slate, the entire Granite City Team, Joey Smith and all the Nebo Guys, all the wives, and way too many more to thank....Thanks to Metal for giving me a chance.
