On the subject of the deadlift, Lucy Underdown is in a category of her personal. In 2021, she set a document by turning into the primary lady to raise 300kg (661.4 kilos) in a contest setting Throughout final 12 months’s World Deadlift Championship, she grew to become the primary lady to deadlift 318kg (700 kilos). Making the feat additional spectacular is that she used solely the pair of lifting straps for help whereas opting to not use the lifting go well with that was allowed. It’s all part of her dedication to the strongman deadlift program she applied into her coaching.
That document got here proper after Underdown’s victory finally 12 months’s Official Strongman Video games European Championship, the place she grew to become Europe’s Strongest Girl. Regardless of these huge accomplishments, she nonetheless has to remind herself that she’s a world document holder and has an occasion the place her largest competitors is herself.
Underdown will try to greatest her document on the USA Strongman Championships in Las Vegas on September 28 on the Orleans Enviornment. Earlier than headed off to Sin Metropolis, she spoke with M&F on how she realized to higher management her nerves and anxiousness whereas competing, being an inspiration to younger women and girls, and she or he additionally gave us a glimpse into a few of the work that goes into besting herself — once more!
Lucy Underdown Has Discovered To Get pleasure from Ever Second of Competitors
Irrespective of the caliber of athlete, nerves and anxiousness are frequent place in any area the place expectations are excessive and there may be strain to carry out. Nonetheless pretty new to competitors, Underdown has been open about her struggles along with her anxiousness. She remembers feeling extraordinarily nervous the day she set the world document up till she stepped in entrance of the bar. Underdown admits that anxiousness is one thing she manages even throughout her day-to-day duties. Nonetheless, plainly as soon as it’s time to compete, the outcomes normally care for themselves.
Her first main worldwide contest was the 2020 Arnold Newbie Strongwoman World Championship in Columbus and she or he positioned seventh. The next 12 months, she grew to become the primary lady in historical past to deadlift 300 kilograms. Since then, she’s achieved a number of podium placings in UK’s Strongest Girl competitors earlier than profitable final 12 months.
“Throughout the sport, I’ve come to simply accept that my efficiency solely instantly impacts me and nobody else, and I do the game as a result of I take pleasure in it,” Underdown mentioned. “The extra I take pleasure in myself, the higher I do. So, I’ve simply determined now once I compete to simply take pleasure in each second and alternative that comes my method.”
One other issue that makes that has helped with regard of having fun with herself is the group facet within the sport of Strongwoman. Whereas these are the very best of the very best, Underdown says all the ladies are all supportive of each other. Even throughout massive exhibits, the place prize cash and titles are on the road, they’re all motivating each other and cheering one another on. A few of Underdown’s opponents have now change into shut associates of hers.
“The strongwoman group is like no different sport I’ve participated in,” she mentioned. “I really like seeing everybody do properly and everyone knows how arduous it’s to get to this stage, so we will respect the work we’ve all put in.”
Changing into Britain’s Strongest Girl
On condition that Underdown can lay declare to GOAT-status in deadlifting, she’s extraordinarily humble. She works full-time as a police officer and coaching has been a method from her to flee the stresses that may come from a job that instructions all of her consideration whereas she’s on the clock. When she made the choice to see how good she could possibly be, she by no means dreamed that she could be a title winner just some years later.
“It may be troublesome with how briskly the game is progressing for us ladies and it’s been troublesome generally to take a step again and respect what I’ve achieved,” she mentioned. “Profitable Britain’s Strongest Girl was the primary time I took within the second and actually loved the expertise because it occurred. It was simply such an excellent second and superb competitors.”
Underdown competed in shot put and discus from the ages of 11 to 25. The game of Strongwoman has not solely reignited her aggressive hearth, however her presence is additional serving to to proceed to develop the game. Given her largely quiet demeanor, she additionally enjoys having the ability to encourage younger women and girls to not solely embrace their power however embracing extra in life on the whole.
“I’ve at all times been an even bigger, plus-size woman, and rising up I by no means noticed function fashions like me on the TV or being promoted,” Underdown mentioned. “I hope women take a look at me and might see that it doesn’t matter what dimension you’re. So long as you’re employed arduous and consider and belief in your self, something is feasible.”
Lucy Underdown’s Strongman Deadlift Program
Exercise 1 -Deadlift day (week commencing 09/09/24)
Heat up: 5mins on bike rising resistance every minute
Banded glute bridges
Hartman glute bridge
Hamstring curls: 3 x 10 rising weight every set
Deadlift: work as much as 3 singles at round 300 kilograms minimal relaxation
Romanian deadlifts: 3 x 5 220 kilograms
GHD Sit-Ups: 3 x 12
Again extensions: 3 x 12
Exercise 2 – Occasions Session
Heat up: 5mins cardio regular state
Single leg wall sit isometrics: 2 units 30 secs left leg 30 secs proper leg
12” deadlift: 6 x 2 x 240
Yoke stroll 20 meters: 3 units at 230 kilograms, 240 kilograms, and 250 kilograms
Farmers Stroll: one set 120 kilograms for 20 meters
Atlas stone: heavy triple lap and cargo at roughly 130 kilograms (no cheesy)
Observe Lucy on Instagram @lucyunders_strongwoman and catch the Livestream of the USA Strongman Championships + Deadlift World Championships
