Northman Power is a powerlifting RSO here at the University of Wyoming looking to make a name for itself.
Formed two years ago by current students Justin Ramos and James Porter, Northman Power, known as the Northman, has quickly established itself as a premier weight-training organization on campus with over 40 active members.
Ramos and Porter met while training at Half Acre.
“James and I met about two years ago during my freshman year,” Ramos said. “We wanted to start powerlifting and competing, and both shared the idea of starting a powerlifting team. We knew there were weightlifting teams already on campus, but we wanted to single out powerlifting.”
Porter said, “We just began approaching other people in the gym. We would see someone hit a strong lift, and ask them if they had ever thought about competing. We built a crew like that of both men and women, and from there it was just putting in the paperwork with the university (to become an RSO).”
Powerlifting is a strength sport that consists of attempts at maximal weight on three primary lifts: the squat, bench press, and deadlift.
Members of Northman Power train together three days per week, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 5 p.m. Members train bench press on Monday, squats on Wednesday, and their deadlifts on Fridays.
In general, Northman Power trains in Half Acre Gym and Recreation Center on Mondays and Wednesdays, and conduct their Friday training sessions at Laramie Fitness.
In addition to their regular training sessions, the group also travels to powerlifting meets in the area as well, giving members the opportunity to compete against other powerlifters in the surrounding region.
“There are two primary federations for powerlifting, the USAPL (the United States affiliate of the International Powerlifting Federation) and the USPA (the United States Powerlifting Association),” Ramos said. “We usually compete in the USPA, which is a more competitive field of powerlifting. We like to do at least one meet per semester.”
Meets are largely individual with lifters having three attempts with a certain weight in each of the three exercises.
Although they are largely individual, Porter noted the effect that the team can have on one person.
“[During a competition] you and your teammates have been grinding for months together,” Porter said. “When you or your teammate makes the lift, the judge gives the finishing command, and you see those white lights. As a powerlifter there is nothing better than that; it feels like victory.”
Northman remains open to all and is very willing to work with anyone interested in the sport, whether they are an experienced powerlifter or a beginner.
“We take pride in dedicated members, those who show up, put in the work, and are willing to meet with us,” Ramos said.
Dedication to the sport of weightlifting and the UW RSO is apparent for Ramos and Porter.
“The energy around me is really electric because this is it, put up or shut up time,” said Porter. “There is nothing more black and white than either making the lift or not.”
Ramos said, “I love to watch other team members achieve their goals through the help James and I provide.”
For those interested in joining Northman Power, they may email Justin Ramos at jramos3@uwyo.edu, or view the club’s Instagram feed at wyonorthman_power.
