From time to time most of us need some motivation to continue the journey that is powerlifting. One of the best ways to get motivation is to read powerlifting quotes from some of the best lifters of all time. Please comment below if you know of any other awesome powerlifting quotes that you think belong on this page.
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“To feel strong, to walk amongst humans with a tremendous feeling of confidence and superiority is not at all wrong. The sense of superiority in bodily strength is borne out by the long history of mankind paying homage in folklore, song and poetry to strong men.” – Fred Hatfield
“Passion trumps everything” – Dave Tate
“It does not take a fucking happy individual to do this shit, to lift these kinds of weight is not a happy thing, it’s not something you do if you are content and happy and everything is going fantastic and your life is wonderful, that’s not what it is. You do not try an pick up 800 pounds and fucking look like you’re going to fucking kill somebody before you do it, because everything is fucking great.
You do not put yourself through workouts that can cripple you on a regular basis, these workouts can cripple you. They can destroy your back and knees and shoulders, they can fuck you up for life. It takes an unhappy unusually motivated individual. It takes someone who’s willing to literally do whatever the fuck it takes to reach their goals for whatever reason they’ve decided that those are their goals.
You can’t do that shit if you have other options in your mind, if you can be just as happy peeling fucking potatoes as you can deadlifting 900 pounds, you’re going to be peeling potatoes, not fucking deadlifting 900 pounds.” – George Leeman
“It doesn’t matter what program you’re on, it doesn’t matter what drug, what supplement, what bench shirt, nothing, none of that matters. What matters is what’s inside of you, it’s your pride, it’s your heart. If you don’t have any of that for this sport, you’re never going to be the best. Cause I can tell you there’s a common trait amongst the great lifters that I’ve ever met, is they all have an undying desire to be the best, or the best they can be.“ – Brandon Lilly
“Think about someone you hate, think about someone that pisses you off, think about something that drives you, think about something that motivates you. My brother passing away a couple years ago, changed my life in a lot of different ways, in some ways it’s very hard to explain. But for some of you out there, you may know what I’m talking about – some of you who’ve lost somebody. I can draw upon that any time I want and I feel like I can lift the freaking world when I think about that situation.“ – Mark Bell
“Most powerlifters share some common defects. We, as a whole for whatever reason, LOVE to punish, beat and torture ourselves beyond the limits of mind and body. It is our spirit that prevails. This defect of intelligence and sensibility pushes us on to the next level, makes us better and stronger. We all have lifted sick and badly hurt. When this subject comes up with normal people and other meatheads, we all have that prideful smile when we talk about lifting with a 100 degree temperature or a torn groin. Thank God that therapy doesn’t work on us.” – Kirk Karwoski
“I wouldn’t tell somebody that they weren’t a powerlifter because they only bench pressed, or they only bench pressed and deadlifted, but, what the hell is wrong with squatting? What are you, afraid? I thought powerlifters were supposed to be big, tough guys. Strap your cock on, leave your pussy at home, put a bar on your back and bend your knees!” – Kirk Karwoski
“Don’t fall for that crap that people are peddling on the message boards, in magazines or on TV. Get your shit in order, and get your training in order. Start kicking ass, and take out the crap that doesn’t matter. Start doing and believing in the stuff that works, and do it today and forever. You want science and studies? Fuck you, I’ve got scars and blood and vomit.“ – Jim Wendler
“In a perfect world, 99% of the music being made wouldn’t make you question humanity and 100% of the training programs would get you big and strong. That ain’t the case, though.
Fortunately, there is a solution, and it’s not performing multiple sets of whatever cable kegel exercise is being pushed as “the answer.” Just a little hard, smart, basic work.
It’s boring, I agree. Do you want to be entertained or get big and strong?“ – Jim Wendler
“Through the years, I have combined meditation, action, and the Iron into a single strength. I believe that when the body is strong, the mind thinks strong thoughts. Time spent away from the Iron makes my mind degenerate. I wallow in a thick depression. My body shuts down my mind.” – Henry Rollins
“The Iron is the best antidepressant I have ever found. There is no better way to fight weakness than with strength. Once the mind and body have been awakened to their true potential, it’s impossible to turn back.
The Iron never lies to you. You can walk outside and listen to all kinds of talk, get told that you’re a god or a total bastard. The Iron will always kick you the real deal. The Iron is the great reference point, the all-knowing perspective giver. Always there like a beacon in the pitch black.
I have found the Iron to be my greatest friend. It never freaks out on me, never runs. Friends may come and go. But two hundred pounds is always two hundred pounds.” – Henry Rollins
“Get strong or die trying” – Unknown
“Don’t have $100.00 shoes and a 10 cent Squat.” – Louie Simmons
“Just remember, somewhere, a little Chinese girl is warming up with your max.” – Jim Conroy
“I have thought about training sessions weeks in advance. For instance, if a big squat workout is scheduled for the middle of next month, I am aware of it as the days pass by. One-week prior I’ll make sure not to walk too much or engage in any unnecessary activity. I used to plan my classes in college with minimum walking distance between them.” – Tom Platz
“Some people like to live without too much risk. They’re satisfied leading a safe existence. This attitude of caution infiltrates into their goals. Every successful athlete – or businessperson – enjoys taking calculated risks. You have to. Especially in the gym when you’re squatting 500 for reps and you can’t get one more but grunt out ten. Your nose starts bleeding, you fall into the rack? and that’s set one.” – Tom Platz
“And what I’m telling you now is not for you to go out and try the same ways I try, or not to even try my technique. Just put it to your personality, put it to yourself, and you develop your workout. Cause those books and things, those are other people’s gimmicks and hypes. Build your own gimmick and hype, and that’ll make you a better powerlifter. Not just doin’ it like James does it, cause if you try to fly off the building like superman you’ll be out there in the middle of the street.” – James Henderson