by Clarissa Hartley

Amrita Anand, a 25-year-old trailblazer in women’s powerlifting, serves as Team UK’s first Sikh female powerlifter. Her journey is not just about sports, but also about empowering women to pursue strength training, shattering gender stereotypes and forging their pathways. Today, she shares her personal experiences, ascension tips, and the reasons why more women should incorporate strength training into their routines.

An Active Home

Born into a sports-loving family with her twin brothers being national level 400m hurdlers, Amrita was always surrounded by an atmosphere of athleticism and competition. This environment played a crucial part in molding her into the ‘Bullet Anand’ she was in school, a nickname she earned for her speed in 100 and 200-meter events.

The Shift Towards Powerlifting

At 17, Amrita shifted her focus towards powerlifting to enhance her sprinting. With her dad as her coach, she swiftly learned the ropes of powerlifting, transitioning from a sprinter to a powerlifter. Within a few months of lifting a barbell, she participated in her first competition and won, which marked a turning point in her life. From then on, being strong became her mantra.

Breaking Barriers

The support from her family helped Amrita break free from societal conventions that often discouraged women from weight training and sports. Her Sikh faith further solidified her belief in equality between men and women, and she’s determined to continue breaking these stereotypes.

The Powerlifting Spark

What ignites Amrita’s spirit is the competition and challenge offered by powerlifting. The essence of powerlifting, for her, is not just battling with others but also pushing her limits and measuring her strength against the weights.

Why Strength Training?

According to Amrita, strength training provides a mental health boost with its significant endorphin rush feeling. She believes it aids in boosting women’s confidence levels, helping them to get out of their comfort zones and explore new potentials. It is a platform that allows you to make new friends and encourages camaraderie.

Powerlifting is simply about lift or can’t lift; therefore, it provides a clear indication of your capabilities as you constantly compete against yourself to lift more and more. It guarantees a healthy form of addiction.

Powerlifting Essentials

In essence, powerlifting is a weightlifting variant that encompasses three main disciplines – squat, bench press, and deadlift. These do not require overhead lifting, making it different from common Olympic weightlifting practices.

Champion Status

Amrita’s journey has seen plenty of highlights, from becoming the 2019 Commonwealth Champion to making her mark as the first British Sikh female to represent Britain in the World and European Championships. However, her goal isn’t just to be a champion, but inspire girls from similar backgrounds to overcome cultural barriers and embrace strength sports.

Empowering Women

Amrita, an ardent advocate for women empowerment, believes in empowering women through strength. She is resilient in her mission to motivate more women to try out and enjoy strength training, advocating that it aids in breaking personal barriers and helps us realize our strength and potential.

Amrita’s Powerlifting Advice

As a seasoned powerlifter, Amrita shares her top tips for those looking to start their strength training journey. She advises beginners to start with familiar people in the gym, then mimic exercises at home before beginning with actual weights. Lastly, she advises beginners to focus on techniques over heavyweight to prevent injuries. Remember, it’s all about consistency and a long-term commitment.

To see more of our insightful and in-depth interviews, check out our exclusive chat with Rochelle Humes!

strength training, powerlifting tips, women empowerment, overcoming barriers, fitness journey, mental health boost, physical strength, self-competition, Amrita Anand, female Sikh powerlifter, women’s equality, gender stereotypes, confidence build-up, embracing sports, cultural limitations, personal achievements.