Beyond the Forged program, we offer sports-specific powerlifting options including the Fall Kick Start, weekly Powerlifiting classes, and Competition Memberships. If you are interested in Powerlifting, reach out!
The Powerlifting Fall Kick Start is a 13-week entry-level powerlifting program designed to develop skills and strength in the three big lifts – the back squat, bench press, and deadlift. It is a beginner-friendly program culminating in the USAPL Rookie Rumble, taking place in Taylor, MI on December 12, 2026. This meet is intentded for athletes who are competing in their first USA Powerlifting competition, although all are welcome. USAPL membership and meet registration are not included in the cost of the class, although recommended if interested in powerlifting and required for the meet which, like most other things, is voluntary yet encourgaed. Participants who choose not to register for the meet will be offered an opportunity to test their max lifts at the conclusion of the Kick Start at a mock-meet style session at Forged Barbell at the end of the 13-week cycle.
The Rookie Rumble is a USAPL meet famous for being fun, supportive, and high-energy. Coach Stacia did her first powerlifting meet ever at the 2018 Rookie Rumble at 47 years old, starting an obsession with powerlifting that eventually led to winning USAPL Masters Nationals, powerlifting coaching, working at Forged, Meet Directing, and working with Para Powerlifting (local version of Paraolympic bench pressing). Powerlifting is a remarkably inclusive sport for a wide range of body types and abilities – you only need to be able to complete the lifts according to competition standard with the weight of 20kg.
Athletes who sign up for the class will receive a personalized 13 week template with three workouts a week focused on overall strength and skill in competition-style squat, bench, and deadlift. They will receive support, coaching, and weekly check-ins with Stacia Proefrock and Andrew Gilbert, our resident powerlifting coaches. Athletes who are current members of Forged can complete the workouts at any Forged coached open gym or open gym session. Workouts are designed to take approximately one hour. For athletes who are joining us from the community without membership, we offer the following workout times, supported by Andrew and Stacia:
Coached Open Gym sessions:
Mondays 7:00-800am – Stacia or 4:00-5:30pm – Andrew
Wednesdays 4:30-5:30pm – Andrew
Thursdays 4:00-5:30pm Andrew
Fridays 7:00-8:00am – Stacia or 5:00-6:00pm – Andrew
Powerlifting class:
Saturday 11:00am – Stacia and Andrew
If you would like to participate but cannot make three workouts a week at these times, reach out to Stacia (stacia@forged-barbell.com) and we will try to make arrangements for different sessions.
The program is designed to begin on September 14 and continue through mid-December. There is no cost for Forged members. The fee for non-members is $450 for the whole program. For a late start, please email stacia@forged-barbell to discuss availability.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/forgedpowerlifting
Powerlifting meets test the deadlift, squat, and bench press. Our team trains together, travels together, and competes as a team. Our coaches are there every step of the way. The Forged Barbell Block programming is a modified conjugate method system based loosely on the work of Louie Simmons of Westside Barbell.
Powerlifting Class: our weekly powerlifitng class highlights how the sport of powerlifting is different from general strength-based training in terms of movement standards and variability.
Competition Membership: our competition membership is an ongoing offering for those interested in powerlifting training with the intent to compete. See our Memberships page for more information.
