Information

Mission

To provide Powerlifting and Olympic Weightlifting enthusiasts with a forum for discussion of various lifting techniques and a platform for practice of sound techniques.

History

Though only 5 years in age, the Iron Dogs have very quickly become one of the fastest growing teams on Truman’s campus. Founded by Olympic Weightlifter Zach Schluender and Powerlifters Russ Smith and Zac Cooper, the Iron Dogs have the vision to bring competitive lifting back to Northeast MO.

With so much tension in the world these days, the Iron Dogs have made a commitment to cross the lines between sports and unite for one common goal: To provide Powerlifting and Olympic Weightlifting enthusiasts with a forum for discussion of various lifting techniques and a platform for practice of sound techniques.

As of September 2008 we have grown to over 40 members and have made remarkable progress as a team considering our immaturity as a Truman Sport. In addition to our rapid growth, Truman State University can now boast that it has the only organized, competitive collegiate powerlifting team in the state of Missouri.

The Iron Dogs’ first inaugural John Ware Classic was held on March 23, 2002 last year and was considered a huge success. Our wish is that we build on that success every year. Our goal is that this meet becomes a yearly tradition with you.

Forms of Weight Training

Resistance training refers to any type of training that involves some form of resistance, whether it be machines, free weights, large boulders, or anything else that forces you to push, pull, or work against anything that is more than your own body weight. General weight training refers to the use of training with with some type of weights, usually dumbbells, loaded barbells, or Nautilus machines.

Competitive forms of weight training include: Weightlifting, Body Building, and Power Lifting.

Weightlifting refers to the Snatch and the Clean & Jerk, and is the only of the three that is a competition at the Olympic Games (which is why it is commonly referred to as Olympic lifting). We hold an annual olympic lifting meet in the Fall of every year, and participate in various meets in the surrounding areas.

Power Lifting involves the Squat, Bench Press, and Dead Lift as the three competition lifts. We hold an annual power lifting meet in the Spring of every year, and also participate in regional meets. The Iron Dogs power lifting division is a member of the Son Light Federation of Power Lifting.

Body Building refers to the competition of trying to build the largest muscles possible while maintaining a low body fat, and combined with total body symmetry. To get things straight, Arnold Schwarzenegger was a great Body Builder, not Weightlifter, nor Power Lifter.

The Iron Dogs club provides separate branches for each of these catagories. You may choose to participate in one or any combonation of the lifting types.