| Name |
| Sharon Salomon |
| Age |
| 74 |
| Weight Class |
| 77kg |
| Squat PR: |
| 155 lb |
| Bench PR: |
| 105 lb |
| Deadlift PR: |
| 225 lb |
| Years lifting? |
| 8 |
| How did you come to powerlifting or Olympic lifting? |
| I wanted to get strong enough to do a straight leg push up so I hired the trainer at the gym where I was working out to help me get there. I always knew that I was stronger than most women even though I’d never tried lifting before. After a few sessions, I was able to do 10 push ups (chest to the ground). The trainer suggested we try a squat “just for fun”. I loved it! The deadlift gave me the “high” I never got from jogging. I was hooked. |
| Do you have any previous athletic or lifting experience? |
| I’ve always been active. “In my day” most women didn’t do much with sports after they graduated from college but I’m not most women. I played volleyball until I was 8 months pregnant. After I gave birth to my first child, I learned to play tennis because it was really getting popular in the US at that time. After my second daughter was born, I joined a gym for the first time. I loved high impact aerobics. My husband gave me a mountain bike for my 50th birthday. That was fun for a while. Then there was jogging. Never loved any of it until I found lifting. |
| Do you compete? Why or why not? If you compete, what do you like most about the competitions? |
| I have competed in the Arizona Senior Olympics for the last 8 years. I want to go to other competitions because at my age (I’d be in the over 75 year Masters 4 group), there aren’t many women. But so far I have not gotten up the nerve to wear a singlet. What I love about the Senior Olympics is the camaraderie. Everyone cheers for everyone else. Sure, it’s a competition but it’s a friendly competition. |
| Equipped or Raw? |
| Raw |
| Do you have a coach or trainer? In person or online? How did you find your trainer/program? Do you have any advice for women looking for a trainer? |
| I have a trainer. He’s an athletic trainer and I know I really need to work with someone who knows more about power lifting but I like the guy so I stick with him. |
| Where do you train? Gym, garage? |
| I train at a small training facility. But I also belong to the Y and that’s where I take cardio classes. |
| What is the hardest part about beginning lifting as an older woman? |
| I’m always concerned about getting hurt. I do my best to avoid injuries but occasionally they happen. At my age, healing takes a lot longer. |
| How has lifting affected your health? |
| I was healthy before because I was active. But I enjoy being strong! |
| What would you tell women just beginning this journey? |
| What would I tell women? Have fun. If it isn’t fun, then move on to something that is fun. I don’t follow any special diet. I don’t count macros or avoid carbs or take supplements. Because that’s not fun! I do this because I like feeling powerful. I like feeling that I can take care of myself. I like that my posture is better than many women my age. I like that I stand tall and walk fast. No one needs to help me with my luggage! |
