Powerlifting Questionnaire - 6/28/05

1. What is your name, age and profession?

Scott Mecham, 26, IT Network Admin

2. Give us a BRIEF lifting history including your best lifts/total.

I began lifting when I was 17. My best friend in High School got me involved. I found out about Powerlifting in 1999 and started training for pure strength instead of for looks/definition. In 2000 I met a couple Powerlifters at the old Lifestyles-2000 gym, Quincy Frank and Mike Carrol, who were also my gateway into competing. Mike Carrol was a big help in my first meet out in Pocatello, ID. Ever since then I was hooked.

My best total so far is 1741 @ 216 lbs. Best lifts are 672 squat, 518 bench, and a 584 deadlift.
I see some bigger numbers very soon. Like a 750 squat, 550-600 bench, and a 625-650 deadlift all by 2006 years end!!!

3. Give us a brief template of your training week.

Monday - Max Effort Squat/deadlift day
Tuesday – Speed Bench day
Thursday – Speed Squat/Deadlift day
Saturday – Max Effort Bench day

4. What kind of workout did you do when you first got into lifting and how old were you?

I was 17 years old. I used a lot of machines. I even did cardio :(. It was more like the typical bodybuilding routine.

5. What kind of powerlifting workout did you do when you first started competing?

It’s been Westside training since day 1. The chains, bands, and special exercises they perform made it very exciting.

6. What kind of powerlifting equipment (bench shirt, squat suit, etc.) do you use?

I use a Titan Centurion squat suit and the Metal squatter, RageX and Fury(F6) bench shirt, and a METAL deadlift suit. METAL wrist wraps. Titan (old school) knee wraps.

7. What powerlifting equipment would you like to try?

A Frantz or Inzer canvas squat suit. METAL Viking Pro bench shirt.

8. What is the best advice anyone has ever given you about lifting?

Take it step by step. One PR at a time. Don’t rush into putting too much weight on the bar too soon. Strength takes time to develop and you can’t do it overnight.

9. What is the worst advice you’ve ever been given?

To train like a bodybuilder for a lot of reps. To only compete once a year. I like to hit atleast 3-4 full meets a year. It keeps you on track all year round.

10. What is the worst injury you’ve had and what did you do to overcome it?

No major injuries at all. Just the normal aches/pains here and there.

11. What is the worst sticking point (on any on the lifts) that you had to overcome and what did you do to correct it?

Breaking the 400 lb. Bench was my toughest feat yet. I failed the 400 bench in 4 meets in a row and was very close each time. I went to a Westside Barbell seminar back in 2002 and Dave Tate and Matt Smith were very helpful in helping me perfect my technique. A few months later is when I easily broke the 400 mark and also hit a 420 bench the same day! I feel it was all the newly added technique.

12. What exercises do you believe have increased your bench, squat and deadlift?

Board Presses, Floor Presses, Box Squats, Band Deadlifts, etc.

13. What does your diet consist of?

About 5 meals a day. And atleast 200 grams of protein a day.

14. What kind of supplements do you use?

Protein, creatine, and glutamine.

15. Where do you get your training information?

Most of it has been from Westside Barbell and all the people I’ve known through powerlifting.

16. What changes would you like to see in powerlifting?

I think we have one too many federations. I really like the AAPF and the APF. One is Pro(non-tested) and the other is Amateur (tested). They have it all. Even the "Superbowl" of powerlifting is through them at the WPO.

17. If you’ve ever had to cut weight for a powerlifting contest, what did you do?

I actually have never tried to cut weight before. I’d rather come in fully hydrated with plenty of energy, than to take a chance of coming in weaker than I should. I don’t compete to beat other lifters. I only compete to beat myself by setting PR’s.

18. Is there anyone you would like to thank?

All my training partners over the past years. Especially J-man. He’s always been there to help out.
My girlfriend Danielle. She puts up with my powerlifting addiction and helps me out by video taping my competitions.