Profile of Chris Rzany
8/31/04

General-how old you are, what you do, where you live, where you grew up and anything else general you'd like to add about your life outside powerlifting:

My name is Chris Rzany.  I'm 29, and work in product development for a life and health insurance company in the Chicago area.  I live on the North side of Chicago, and have been lifting for 15 years.  I've been powerlifting for five, albeit seriously for three.  Outside powerlifting, I also attend DePaul University where I'm completing (at long last!) my degree in Political Science.  I'm a huge music fan -- everything from classic rock to new wave, and particularly British rock.

Your best lifts in powerlifting in competition and training, and at what weight:

My best lifts were done at 181, in single- ply gear.  Squat: 407 (Inzer Z Suit); Bench: 260 (Inzer standard blast shirt); Deadlift: 474 (Titan Victor suit, Crain belt).  My best total thus far is 1107, at this year's USAPL Viking Open.

Your proudest accomplishments in powerlifting:

My proudest accomplishments are 1) the first time I benched 250; and 2) the first time I squatted over 400.  These were milestones for me, after which I began to feel I could consider myself a "real" powerlifter.

Your best moment in powerlifting:

My best moment was the 2003 USAPL Viking Open, where I pulled a clutch 474 deadlift (a 24 pound PR -- gym or meet) on my third attempt because that's what was needed to hit my goal of an 1100 pound total.  I hit that deadlift in front of a big crowd of family and friends and felt on top of the world that day!

Your ultimate goal in powerlifting:

My ultimate goal is to simply keep improving as long as possible.  I want to be stronger at 40 than I will be at 30.  Hopefully that will include some trips to Nationals or Worlds, as I make improvements and master better gear.  My immediate goals are as follows:  1)transition over to a wide stance squat to "rebuild" my squat such that I can take advantage of a canvas suit. 2) Improve my bench press!  I am going to spend this offseason building a better base, and bringing up my lockout so I can benefit from the more aggressive shirts. 3) Hit that 500 lb. deadlift!  A final, and probably most important goal, is to inspire others.  I was a sickly kid who built himself up, learned discipline and goal setting, and developed confidence -- all under the bar.  I want to inspire all the little skinny guys out there.  For some kids who are less fortunate, lifting can be a positive force in an otherwise negative existence.  We've got a great sport going here, and a lot to be proud of as powerlifters.  I'd like others to have the same experience I'm having.

How you got involved in powerlifting:

I lifted for years in an unstructured manner, always consistently but never constructively -- bouncing from routine to routine with each new issue of the bodybuilding magazines.  All the same, I was always interested in strength, and even bought a few PLUSA's from time to time.  One day I saw a poster for the Viking Open at my gym, and with some (it didn't take much!) encouragement from my training partner, I decided to enter.

Type of training you adhear to:

I basically follow a standard periodization routine, with some different assistance exercises thrown in from time to time.  I tend to do a lot of heavy singles, since I feel you should train as you compete.  As is probably the case with many of us, I like to consider myself a "student of the game" and will incorporate different ideas if I feel they make sense.  Most recently, my emphasis has been on "training to the gear" -- meaning both training in my gear, as well as bringing up the muscles needed to take full advantage of the gear -- abs, hamstrings, and triceps, namely.

Type of gear you use and how you use it in your training:

I currently use single ply gear, but want to get in some of the more agressive gear soon.  I want to give the AAPF a try, and don't want to put myself at a disadvantage by using single ply.

The people who have most influenced your training and powerlifting career in general:

I have been very fortuante to have had many great influences.  My grandfather, Hal Baumet, used to work out back in the 30's, and even met John Grimek on a few occassions.  He encouraged me from day one, even giving me his old collection of Strength and Health magazines.  My mom and dad have been to each of my contests, and have been supportive.  My brother, David, has handled me at several meets, and always makes things go smoothly.  My training partner, Joe Adams, has supported my efforts, and is becoming quite the lifter in his own right.  My girlfriend Caroline had her introduction to powerlifting at my last meet.  She encourages me to give my best.  Others are almost too numerous to mention:  Nectar Kirikis, Dennis Brady, Erwin Chang, and Eriek Nickson, and of course Eric Stone through this fantastic site!

Your training partners and how they affect your training:

Training partners are great, but I try not to become dependent.  I definitely envy guys like the Illini Powerlifting Team, the Frantz and Maroscher Teams, and all those who can lift in that type of atmosphere.  The mere presence of a lot of great lifters can affect your performance.  I remember being out of shape last February, and hitting a PR with Erwin Chang, Steve Brodsky, and Chris Therman spotting.  I'm sure their presence had something to do with the effort I was able to put out!

How long you see yourself continuing powerlifting:

I'll continue powerlifting as long as I live.  I may take a break from competing when I start having a family, but will return.  I'll never stop training, however.

Your opinion of the supportive equipment used in powerlifting:

It has gotten a little out of hand, and really changed the mechanics of the bench, in particular.  Nonetheless, I'm not so much of a purist that I'd put myself at a disadvantage by not using it if my competitors are using it.  The really big numbers are being hit in this gear, so why shouldn't I take my crack at hitting some really big numbers?  I want to be as strong as I can be regardless of meet conditions, and compete in a variety of organizations.  It keeps things fun and interesting.

Your opinion of drug testing in the sport:

If you're going to test, then be sure the test is valid and administered in an evenhanded fashion.  If you can't or  won't do these things, just don't test, and charge the lifters a lower entry fee.  The only strong feeling I have on this regards those who lift in tested meets who are not drug free.  I've never come across this personally (to the best of my knowledge), but the idea of it is more than upsetting.

Your opinion of the professional movement in powerlifting like the WPO and Mountaineer Cup:

I think its great.  It adds another element of fun and excitement to the sport.  The cash prizes are nominal but that's okay -- no one's making a living off this, nor should we expect to.  It does give the lifter something to shoot for, and is exciting for the fans.

What you think about the Olympic movement in powerlifting:

My opinion on this has changed somewhat.  At first, I thought "no way," especially since we already have Olympic lifting.  However, think of all the different swimming, track, and gymnastics events there are.  If you consider it from that perspective, we have more than enough room for another barbell sport in the Olympics.

Anything else you would like to add:

Powerlifting has added a great dimension to my life.  Chicago is a great powerlifting town, and we truly rest on the shoulders of giants here.  We should be thankful for that, and show the world what our blue-collar Chicago work ethic can do when applied to powerlifting.


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