THE POWERLIFTINGWATCH.COM 2009 ANNUAL TOP 50 LIST.

Powerliftingwatch.com, the recognized leader in the Internet world of powerlifting comes out with a yearly Top 50 list for each lift and weight category. This has quickly become the powerlifting standard of excellence because The Top 50 includes every sanctioned contest over the past year regardless of federation.

Also worth noting, The Powerliftingwatch.com Top 50 has no age class verification, only what you weighed and what you lifted, pure statistics the way they should be. Therefore, if you have placed in the Top 50 you have ranked ahead hundreds, possibly thousands of other lifters!

THE TEAM VANCOUVER MEMBERS WHO HAVE PLACED IN THE POWERLIFTINGWATCH.COM TOP 50:
148 lbs. Division / Women's Bench Press / Nancy Carpenter - 221 lbs.
308 lbs. Division / Men's Bench Press / Robert O Smith - 578 lbs.
181 lbs. Division / Men's Deadlift / Jody Cranston - 574 lbs.

I am ecstatic to have made The 2009 Annual List and a huge congratulations to Robert O and Nancy on their tremendous lifts.

Notes: Click on Robert O Smith's name to see his splendid write up on achieving a Powerlifting.com Top 50 Placing. To see this Blog entry in Press Release form click HERE.

( Jody Cranston / Internet Media ).

UNIVISION TV

UNIVISION TV: Univisión is a Spanish-language television network in the United States. It has the largest Latin American audience, largely due to repurposed telenovelas and other Mexican programs. It is available on cable in most of the United States, with local stations in over 50 markets with sizeable Latino populations.

"I really like living in the age of Internet Media, it is always exciting to see where or what site you might be featured on. Recently some of my videos were picked up by Univision TV. This kind of International Media recognition and exposure is always welcomed, I can't wait to see were I could possibly appear next." To see my videos on Univision click HERE.

( Jody Cranston / Media ).

JODY CRANSTON 2010.

Best Lifts 2009 : 181 lbs. Division (Open/M1) Bench Press - 375 lbs. Deadlift - 574 lbs.

( Jody Cranston / Recap 2009 ).

RECORD LIFTS FOR CRANSTON

From The Richmond News, Wednesday September 9th, 2009...
RECORD LIFTS FOR CRANSTON

Richmond News
Published: Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Richmond's Jody Cranston produced a pair of first place finishes in the 181 lb weight class at the World Association Bench Press and Deadlifters Great Northern Bench Press and Deadlift Championships.

Cranston set the WABDL Canadian Masters class deadlift record by lifting 574 lbs. -- well over triple his bodyweight of 178 lbs.

The lifetime drug-free Richmond resident secured a second first place award by bench pressing 358 lbs.

"I am very happy with these lifts and plan to keep training hard so I can lift even more in the future," said Cranston.

The victories qualify Cranston for The WABDL World Championships in Reno Oct. 30.


© Richmond News 2009
( Jody Cranston / Media ).

THE VANCOUVER SUN NEWSPAPER

From The Vancouver Sun, Saturday September 5, 2009...
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
JODY CRANSTON
The Vancouver resident won two titles last weekend at the World Association Bench Press and Deadlifters Great Northern Bench Press and Deadlift Championships in Olympia, Wash. Competing in the 181-pound division, Cranston, set the WABDL Canadian master class deadlift record by lifting 574 pounds.

The personal trainer won the bench press title by lifting 358 pounds. These wins qualified Cranston for the WABDL world championships in Reno, Nevada Oct. 30. "I plan to keep training hard so I can lift even more in the future," said Cranston.

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
( Jody Cranston / Media ).

RISKY BUSINESS...

BIG CHALLENGES... BIG RISKS... BIG PAY OFF???
Wow...What a 72 hours. I had to prepare an important 10 minute presentation for my BNI Business Group, move POWERSHAPE Personal Training to a new location and of coarse compete in "The WABDL Great Northern Bench Press and Deadlift Championships" in Olympia Washington.(I also had My Master Card stolen but, that is a story for another time). Talk about pressure. How did everything turn out? Here are the details:

The BNI presentation went very well, complete with video high-lights. I am extremely excited to announce that my Business is now up, running and virtually booked solid at an upscale, private, professional Studio: The Georgia Athletic Club. And, as always Powerlifting was the centering force in my life as I competed along with my great friends Nancy and Robert O. This is the Contest details in PRESS RELEASE FORM:

CANADIANS LIFT BIG IN OLYMPIA
A Trio of Canadian Powerlifters had a very successful lifting Tournament in Olympia Washington on the weekend at "The WABDL Great Northern Bench Press and Deadlift Championships"

Nancy Carpenter Bench Pressed 209 lbs. to claim victory in the 148 lbs. Women's Master-Two Division. Carpenter also took home "Best Lifter" honours to cap off a great contest.

Canadian Bench Press Champion Robert O Smith pressed 529 lbs. to win the 308 lbs. Division and "Best Overall" title. Robert O holds the distinction of pressing the all time record for the 60 years plus age group at 579 lbs.

Jody Cranston scored a double victory by winning the Bench Press and Deadlift events in the 181 lbs. Master Divisions. Cranston, who weighed 178 lbs. Bench Pressed 358 lbs. and Deadlifted 574 lbs. for WABDL Canadian Master Records.

With their Championship wins the three Lifters are now officially qualified to represent Canada at the WABDL World Championships in Reno Nevada at the end of October.

I am very proud of everything that has been accomplished recently. It is funny how a Business location change, BNI Presentation and Lifting Tournament can build momentum off of each other. Putting three challenges together certainly creates a huge risk but, when successful, which fortunately these were, pays off a huge reward. Things have never been better.

( Jody Cranston / Contest ).

NEW MASTER DEADLIFT RECORD FOR JODY CRANSTON

From The Richmond Review, Saturday August 28, 2009...
NEW MASTER DEADLIFT RECORD FOR JODY CRANSTON

Richmond's Jody Cranston was a double winner in the 181 pound division at the WABDL Great Northern Bench Press and Deadlift Championships" in Olympia, Wash. on the weekend.

Cranston, who weighted 178 pounds, set the WABDL (World Association Bench Press and Deadlifters) Canadian masters class record by lifting 574 pounds, well over triple his bodyweight.

The lifetime Richmond resident secured a second first-place award by bench pressing 358 pounds, double his bodyweight.

"I am very happy with these lifts and plan to keep training hard so I can lift even more in the future", said Cranston.

These Victories qualify Cranston for The WABDL World Championships in Reno Nevada October 30th.

( Jody Cranston / Media ).

THE PANTHEON STRENGTH LEGION AUGUST UPDATE.

August's Pantheon Strength Legion "Day of The Dead" was also the "Day of the Almost 1 Rep. Maximums". Don't get me wrong - Ian, Pete and I were successful on all of our Deadlifts. But, it seemed like the kind of day to lift heavy AND lift for volume too - not completely spend all of our energy on "Gym Max's" and nothing else. So, with Highland Games Champion Bob Owen offering encouragement to The Pantheon Strength Legion here are the Highlights:

IAN: My friend Ian turned in an awesome strength performance; 405 lbs. Deadlift for 1 Rep. and 365 lbs. for four Reps.

PETE: Pete Deadlifted 365 lbs. for a strong single and 315 lbs. for four Reps. Extremely consistent.

JODY: I Lifted 565 lbs. for 1 Rep., then 405 lbs for a burn-out set.

JEFF: Jeff Benched Pressed a New Maximum of 220 lbs. So, one person went against today's theme and set a Personal Record. Congratulations Jeff!

So, there you have it...An extremely complete workout for The Pantheon Strength Legion. Heavy (almost) Max's and volume for the future. We had five lifters attend, including Bob, which is excellent for a long weekend in the middle of Summer. The Pantheon Strength Legion has momentum... The Pantheon Strength Legion has tenacity... The Pantheon Strength Legion is just getting started!!! Be there next month and participate with or witness The Pantheon Strength Legion destroy more heavy Iron...See you then!

( Jody Cranston / Pantheon Strength Legion ).

JODY CRANSTON POWER TRAINING 2009 FEATURED ON SPORTS ILLUSTRATED.COM

"I have always been a huge fan of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE and felt that SPORTS ILLUSTRATED set the standard for World Class sports coverage. I remember collecting the Magazines when I was younger and cutting out pictures of my favorite Athletes, especially Famous Boxers. So, imagine my surprise when my POWER TRAINING 2009 Video appeared on the SPORTS ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE Web Site.
As an Athlete I am truly honoured and more importantly I think My Father Pat, a life-long Sports Fanatic would be proud." To view The Original Page click HERE.

( Jody Cranston / Media ).

PANTHEON STRENGTH LEGION - JULY UPDATE.

With chalk on the ground and fortitude in the air The Pantheon Strength Legion once again lifted immence weights, massive volume, had a guest appearance and engaged in the inevitable Deadlift Fire-fight for their July Work-out. Here are the highlights:

JEFF - My good friend Jeff Moore equalled his Bench Press Max. with a explosive 215 lbs. press. New Max's to come...

IAN - Ian hit big Deadlift volume with a top set of 350 lbs. for an eye-popping triple the Repped out with 225 lbs. Ian is a strong and consistent lifter, great person to train with.

JODY - On Friday I Bench Pressed 365 lbs. for 1 Rep. and on Saturday with The Pantheon Strength Legion I Deadlifted 565 lbs. for 2 Reps.

PETE - Pete trained hard as usual, he Deadlifted 315 lbs. for a grinding set of four then lifted 225 lbs. for two sets of fourteen.

After the outstanding Deadlift portion of the training session, we hit: Stiff-legged Deadlifts, Over-heads and Pull downs to put the July workout in the books. I can't wait until August, everyone welcome!

( Jody Cranston / Pantheon Strength Legion ).

BOB OWENS B.C. HIGHLAND GAMES 2009.

I would like to Congratulate my Good Friend Bob Owen on his 1st Place Victory at The B.C. Provincial Highland Games in Coquitlam last weekend. Although this was Bob's first Tournament in over a year, his win qualifies him for The Canadian National Highland Games in Calgary Alberta this September. Bob is obviously one of the favorites to win another National Title.

( Jody Cranston / Bob Owen ).

PANTHEON STRENGTH LEGION JULY PREVIEW.

SATURDAY JULY 4TH PAC GYM.
"DAY OF THE DEAD"


( Jody Cranston / PSL ).

POWERLIFTING USA MAGAZINE.

TEAM CANADA at the USAPL Pacific Open included (left to right) Mark Vezina, Robert O.Smith, Nancy Carpenter and Jody Cranston. (thanks to Robert O.Smith for providing us this photograph).

( As reprinted from Powerlifting USA Magazine March/2007 ).
( Jody Cranston / Media ).

THE PROVINCE NEWSPAPER.

It takes a whole village to raise a champ

Darren Darby's corner is just as essential to his title-shot hopes as his fists; and both are growing day by day

By Steve Ewen, The Province

Darren Darby (centre) has a huge support network. From left, Jody Cranston (powerlifter and personal trainer), Jason Fenton (kick boxer), Paul Forde (MMA fighter), Barbara Barley (runs Sports Central Gym, where Darby does much of training), wife Denise Darby with children Kaden, Ethan, and Max, and Dr. Kris Bentz (naturopath).
Photograph by: Gerry Kahrmann, The Province.

Boxer Darren Darby checks out the technique of his youngest son, Ethan, during training for Friday's Rumble at the Rock. Darby is on the undercard.
Photograph by: Gerry Kahrmann, The Province.

Click HERE to read the entire article from The Province Newspaper Sports Section, Sunday June 14th 2009.

( Jody Cranston / Media ).

PANTHEON STRENGTH LEGION JUNE UPDATE.

Junes hot weather was definitely not a deterrent to the red hot Pantheon Strength Legion. The basement of PAC Gym, at the corner of Hornby and Smithe, was smoldering from Power and Strength not just the weather! Here are a couple highlights:

PETE - Multi hard, grinding sets with three plates for the Deadlift. This volume will serve him well for future top end strength. Then Pete finished off the work out with some Lat/Trap work. Well done!

JODY - Friday, the day before The Pantheon Strength Legion trained, I Bench Pressed 365 lbs. for one rep. Saturday, with The Pantheon Strength Legion, I Deadlifted 565 lbs. for a double. I am really happy with that 24hr. training period.

I am already looking forward to July's Legion work out. Everyone Welcome - Join Us!

( Jody Cranston / Pantheon Strength Legion ).

PANTHEON STRENGTH LEGION - MAY UPDATE.

RECORDS! RECORDS!! RECORDS!!!

Although the turnout was small; first weekend of May, great weather, The Canucks, etc.ect...The lifting was huge! Two new Personal Records were set by The Pantheon Strength Legion. Here are the highlights:

IAN - Ian Deadlifted 410 lbs.!!! That is practically a 100 lbs. increase in one year. That is allot of hard work and dedication paying off. Awesome job.

JODY - I did a 565 lbs. Deadlift for two reps. Both reps. were smooth and controlled and I Bench Pressed 365 lbs the day (Friday) before. That is an excellent 24 hrs. of training.

The Pantheon Strength Legion will reconvene the first Saturday of June at the same location. All levels welcome!

( JODY CRANSTON / PANTHEON STRENGTH LEGION.)

THE PANTHEON STRENGTH LEGION-APRIL UPDATE.

IAN GOES FROM 3 TO 4 PLATES IN 11 MONTHS.

After a one month absence, I competed at the Washington State Powerlifting Championships the first Saturday of last month, The Pantheon Strength Legion was back in a big way! This was one of the most successful training sessions we had with the main highlight being Ian's huge improvement from when we started eleven months ago. Here is the breakdown:

JODY - I came in early for my warm-ups so I peaked at 10:00 am with a 565 lbs. Deadlift. I then lifted 550 lbs. for a triple.

PETE - My good friend Pete did alot of Deadlift volume culminating with three sets of four reps. at 315 lbs. Pete has trained with me since the Fitness Quest days which is 10 years ago.

IAN - Ian has worked hard and has seen a big pay-off with all of his lifts, especially the Deadlift. To go from a 315 lbs. max to a 405 lbs. max in 11 months is a tremendous accomplishment and it looks like this is just the beginning.

After the Deadlifts we did some dumbbell rows and rear delt flys. This concluded a huge workout and incredible lifting by The Pantheon Legion. I am really looking forward to next month.

( JODY CRANSTON / PANTHEON STRENGTH LEGION ).

The Canadian Health Food Association 2009 Expo West

SHANI CRANSTON hOMe GROWN LIVING FOODS.


TOM MANNO PREMIA NATURALS.

I had a great time at The Canadian Health Food Association 2009 Expo West which was held at The Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre. I showed up and surprised my sister Shani who was there successfully marketing her incredible living foods line hOMe GROWN. We had a great visit while we walked around and tasted all the delicious and free products, pass the coconut juice. It was good to see Shani and Willy back from their winter in Mexico safe, sound and tanned. I look forward to seeing them again soon and I am very proud of them.

Also, at the same Expo I met up with my friend and World Bench Press Champion Tom Manno from Phoenix Arizona who was there overseeing the Premia Naturals booth with the very capable Arvan and Sanj. Tom endorses Premia Naturals products and I encourage everyone to try them.

Then on Monday, Tom met me at The Pantheon Athletic Club for a workout. Tom close-grip Bench Pressed 500 lbs. Fully paused. Fully controlled. WOW!!! Incredible raw strength. I did some Bench volume work and a very memorable workout was over and it was back to work. 18 clients/friends later, a great day was complete.

NOTE: Shani's website is www.homegrownlivingfoods.ca
Tom's website is www.premianaturals.com

(JODY CRANSTON EVENTS)

JODY CRANSTON BIOGRAPHY.

I am the owner of the Vancouver-based Highly Successful Fitness company, Power Shape Personal Training, a Business I established in 1997.
________________________________________________________

WABDL Canadian National Records are:

148lbs.
Bench Press:303lbs. Deadlift: 515lbs. (My Best Deadlift in The 148lbs. Division is 520lbs.USPF).
165lbs.
Bench Press:330lbs. Deadlift: 590lbs.
181lbs.
Bench Press:375lbs. Deadlift: 585lbs.
________________________________________________________

I have been featured on City TV's "Breakfast Television", Shaw TV's "The Express"(Sports Section),"The Richmond Review" and "The Richmond News". I also write a Fitness Column for "Urban Trendz Magazine". Recently I became a Co-Owner of "Oranj Dance and Fitness Spa" (oranjdance.com) in Kelowna where I exclusively developed : "The Cast Iron Indoor Power Bootcamp" , while continuing to train 16 to 20 people a day of all fitness levels in Vancouver.

( BNI Presentation ).

BIG BENCH PRESS AND DEADLIFT DAY.

A FULL DAY OF CLIENTS;
PLUS HEAVY LIFTING.






I think today, Friday February 20th, I did a workout worth documenting. It was suppose to be a heavy Bench Day with no other work and I had a one hour break at 9:00 to 10:00 to do this. I sprained my right Rotator Cuff (shoulder joint muscle) mid December and at first could not even bench 100 lbs. without some discomfort. My rehab programme has progressed rapidly and my bench press work has improved greatly since this injury.

Today, I pressed 335 lbs for one rep. without any problem. Then I pressed 185 lbs.(slightly more then my Body weight) twenty times to finish the workout.

So, why am I writing about a Bench Press 30 lbs. below my Max.? Well, after my workout I noticed I had a break for lunch at 12:30. That's when the idea hit me: "...skip lunch and do Deadlifts, it will almost feel like a Lifting Contest". Bench Press first, then Deadlift a few hours later with little or nothing to eat. Plus, if I do a 565 lbs. Deadlift and add that to my 335 lbs Bench Press that would equal 900 lbs. This would be done while weighing within the 181 lbs. Division on a Training Day! How do you say no to that? By 1:45 it was done, a 565 lbs. Deadlift. To reiterate: a 335 lbs. Bench Press plus a 565 lbs. Deadlift equals 900 lbs.!

By the end of the work day, I am feeling light-headed from the lack of nourishment. I didn't eat since 5:00 am but, after a busy day with clients and my workout, I feel great! And, Battle Ready for my next Meet.


( JODY CRANSTON / WORKOUT )
( PICTURE FROM WASHINGTON STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2008 )

THE PANTHEON STRENGTH LEGION FEBRUARY UPDATE.

Another great training session for The Pantheon Strength Legion. I knew we would have less then an hour to train(10 to 11). This includes setting up before and clean-up after. I did my Deadlifts earlier in the week, which I will still include below, so I could concentrate on Coaching, spotting and loading because of the limited time.

Ian - Lifted 365 lbs. With rep. work after, this included some Sumo-style Deadlifts.

Pete - Pete also lifted 365 lbs. then, four reps. with 315 lbs.

Dan - This was our Guest Lifter this month. Dan Deadlifted 225 lbs. 16 reps. and, 315 lbs. for 16 reps. between Squats. Wow!

Jody - I Deadlifted 565 lbs. for one rep. and 405 lbs. for eight reps.

As always, Excellent lifting with an awesome atmosphere for The Pantheon Strength Legion.

( JODY CRANSTON / PSL )