Young or Old, Your Training Shouldn’t Be Treated Lightly

By Alex Truman

As a high school athlete, I am able to squat 500 pounds, bench 375, and deadlift 550, causing me to be constantly asked how I have been able to achieve that level of strength. When posed a question like that, I’m able to reply with just one word - DEDICATION. At 17 years old I have dedicated my life to my training. I have missed out on parties, going out late at night, eating junk food and many other things a normal teenager would do. This type of dedication has proven to be one of the main tools in my quest to become an elite athlete. If you want to become anything more then the average gym-goer, then you need to get dedicated to yourself and your goals. Continue Reading »

Alex Truman, 17, of PA Masters Powerlifting; Bodybuilding Next in his Sights

This is Part One of a continuing series provided exclusively by MuscleSport Mag entitled, “This is Your Magazine,” where we profile the every-day athlete. If you would like to see yourself profiled here, please send us your story and photo to superbas@optonline.net.

When you begin preparing for powerlifiting competitions at the young age of 15, you know that you are taking weight training a little more serious than the rest of the bunch. Alex Truman of Butler, PA began working out and shortly thereafter realized where his passion lied. 10 months later, he entered his first local competition.

Only one year later, he won his weight division at the 2007 IPA PA States with a 1,180 pound total at a body weight of only 181. Some would have been satisfied with a victory, but not Truman.

“I knew I had to improve,” he said. “I started to train even harder and set my sights on a local Strongman show.” He entered the YMCA Octoberfest’s Strongest Man as a Novice Middle Weight, competing against people much older and more experienced than him, which turned out to be all the incentive he needed. Continue Reading »