Take the Big Bag

All England Masters 2026

My first time doing this comp!
The day started really well with a new squat PB of 132.5kg on my third attempt.
My second bench attempt was my current PB of 77.5kg, and it felt super solid. So I hoped that today would be the day for 80kg, but not quite yet - I failed that on my third.
My best deadlift today was 152.5kg. After British Masters last year I switched back to sumo. I like both stances but I hadn't done sumo on the platform since winning BDFPA Nationals in 2021. The Winter Cup revealed that I had some lockout and grip issues to work on with sumo (I've also switched from hook grip to mixed) over the spring. I'm now very happy with how my sumo technique has come along with more practice. We loaded 162.5kg for my final attempt, because if successful it would have been enough to win my category! But it was too much, maybe that's a number for the future 😄

My final total was 362.5kg, a new PB 💪🏻

Gold for M1 57kg class went to my fellow West Mids lifter .shamel who also set a new bench record, an amazing performance not long after recovering from a serious injury. I came in second behind Cat.

Best overall lifter went to the phenomenal multiple M1 52kg category record setting , with Cat in second place, and me in third place.

A big thank you to the volunteers who make these comps happen, the encouragement of the spotters and loaders is always great to have at your back.

Thank you to my coach from for programming and all the support and guidance I could hope for. A massive thank you to from USM who skillfully handled me plus about 4 other lifters at the same time, could not have had the day I did without you. And finally thank you to the Hour of Power crew, my Saturday morning powerlifting club, who are helping to fund my lifting efforts 🖤

We don't do before and after pics here, but this is a review I can get behind!

I love when clients share the way they are noticing how their gym training is making an impact on the rest of their daily living. That's ultimately what it's really all about. Annalise has been barbell hip thrusting for weeks, and it's building her some nice padding in her glutes, bringing more ease and comfort to her life. Just one of many benefits.

Getting a muscly butt isn't something that will happen accidentally, but if you want one, there are things you can do to create the conditions for it!

Last week was the Big Bag Training Spring Uprising - our seasonal celebration of personal bests across the client community. Swipe through to read about some of the top training session gains!

Jon got a few new PBs across two sessions. In his lifting he got 15 x 10kg DB floor press on his right. Bicep curls 13 x 5kg on his left (stroke-affected) side and 15 x 7.5kg on his right.
In his climbing session later in the week he hit an all-time best of 306 steps per session with a 6.6kg weighted vest.

Lisa got a new PB on kettlebell suitcase deadlifts, 6 x 28kg. A new barbell deadlift PB of 1 x 60kg, and a new barbell bench press PB of 2 x 35kg.

Annalise got a new barbell hip thrust (or as we call it, butt stuff) PB - 13 x 82.5kg.

Sarah got a new PB for supported bodyweight split squats during a Zoom group class - 5 reps per side.

Rachel achieved a new 42.5kg bench PB.

Shahzad got a PB of 9 x 16kg per side on single leg deadlifts, with excellent ankle stability.

I forgot to share this at the end of last year! A lovely Big Bag Training mug made for me for Christmas by my client, the very talented
Perfect vessel for a pre-lifting coffee ☕

The Merry Maxout crew 2025, Rachel, Jordan, Heath & Rene. Today's meet was fuelled by mince pies, lebkuchen, brandy houmous (thanks Aldi 😂) and banana bread cookies made by Jordan