Hi Everyone,
Hope you all enjoyed a day off last week. The Prism team dispersed across lakes, deserts, and woods to recharge, but we’re happy to be back with a reflection on the unexpected benefits of powerlifting. And it’s a special comic edition, complete with pictures offering a handy look at the three fundamental lifts (as well as how our writer, A., adapted them for their own body). Think of it as a self-compassion meditation and a how-to diagram wrapped in one. Pretty useful for those of us on the Prism team who aren’t what you’d call regular weightlifters… (i.e. who, uh, have never touched a weight in their life).
So pull on those weightlifting gloves (unless you’re working on those calluses) and read on. Oh and you probably want to flip your phone to landscape to get the best reading experience on this one.
Here to pump you up,The Prism Team
A. Andrews is a thirty-something queer writer and cartoonist based in Philadelphia. Their work has appeared in Esquire, The Washington Post, Prism, Disability Visibility, The Nib, Glamour, and other fun corners of the internet.
One thing that makes A. feel well: “Currently, I'm really into gardening and am eyeing a community plumbing class with little emoji heart eyes. I think I feel best when doing something tactile that once felt too complicated to approach.”
Big Feelings
FIND A. ON
If you’re feeling that post-essay endorphin high and want to keep it going by picking up weightlifting yourself, Prism’s own trainer-in-residence (our strategist Ciara, who tbh has very little competition for the title) has compiled some resources for you!
Couch to Barbell: People love Casey Johnston. Her program is perfect for people who didn't know what a deadlift was until reading A's essay 🙃. Really unintimidating — both in terms of content and price (only $20). Her newsletter's good, too.
Ladder: An app that plans your strength workouts for you, along with video demos and pacing. All the bells and whistles. Helps you set and work towards goals and you can test it out for a week free before you commit (you don't need a credit card for the trial).
Personal trainer: Hiring a trainer can feel daunting because they can be pricey, but don't think about it as a forever commitment. Working with someone for 2-5 sessions is a good investment to get comfortable and make sure your form is right, and then you can use apps or ChatGPT to plan your workouts after that. A lot of trainers also offer reduced fees for workouts online vs. in person if you want to continue working with a human at a cheaper rate.
See you at the gym!
Magical 🪄
Hope your Sunday is more gym mentor than equipment hog.