Powerlifting family: Mom and 3 kids test their strength at national competition
CBC
A family in Stephenville, N.L., have found a way to bond in the gym as they train and compete in powerlifting competitions.
Bonnie Lee and her three children, Rebekah, Omar and Georgea, spend five days a week working out in a small basement gym with the Bay St. George Powerlifting Club. It all started about a year ago with Bonnie and her oldest Rebekah wanting to improve their fitness.
After their first competition, they were hooked.
"It's so fun. You are basically competing against yourself and with a team. You travel together," Bonnie said, "just getting better every time, and [you] try and beat your own score and bring home the gold."
The two youngest soon joined the youth program through the gym, and now the whole family trains together in deadlift, bench and squat.
"It's really nice to see everyone improving as a whole and everyone just supports each other. And it's nice to see myself improve and my family improve," said 17-year-old Rebekah Lee.
Her sister Georgea, who's only 11, can deadlift over 70 lbs.
"It makes me feel really good and really strong, and I like to win gold at competitions," said Georgea, showing off her biceps.
The family have gotten so good they recently all qualified to compete in the Canadian Powerlifting Union National Championships in Moose Jaw, Sask.
"I do not know if there has ever been four people travel as a family to a competition like this. So it's very exciting for us. It's brought us closer for sure," said Bonnie.
All four will compete in their age categories and weight limits, and will have their own personal cheer squad: their family.
WATCH | The Lee family says the four powerlifting competitors are stronger together:
For Bonnie, the time together in the gym has brought them much closer.
"We encourage each other and we see each other getting better. We just really support each other," she said.
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