Weightlifter Trained at SamFit Hits Her Mark March 14, 2024 Often, New Year’s resolution are lofty goals that pass by the wayside before the earliest flowers bloom in springtime. However, for one beginning competitive weightlifter from Lebanon, a 2023 goal was one for the record books. After training at a SamFit fitness center for only three months, Ryleigh Perkins, 24, not only won her first competition but set two state of Oregon records in the process. Earlier this year, Perkins decided to get back into weightlifting after first being introduced to the activity while attending high school. While working out with her mother, Amber, at the Lebanon SamFit, the two reached out to SamFit trainer Jackie Welter for competitive weightlifting coaching. Welter is herself a competitive weightlifter, trainer and one time competition referee. “I wanted to go into the direction of powerlifting instead of cardio,” said Perkins. “We found Jackie and then started really dialing in the powerlifting and going for heavier lifts.” SamFit facilities in Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties have trained several competitive athletes. However, this young weightlifter’s recent achievement may have set a bar too high to be repeated. Perkins’ first-ever weightlifting competition was the United States Powerlifting Association’s 2023 Western Regionals in Newport where she set state records in both the squat deadlift and the deadlift. “Everybody was cheering and screaming,” said Perkins. “It’s probably my favorite competition environment I’ve ever done because everybody’s so supportive and encouraging.” Perkins was a competitive swimmer at Lebanon High School and has competed in equestrian events. When Perkins is not weightlifting, she enjoys riding and training horses. Her training diet consist of smoothies in the morning and dinner of rice and chicken. “The smoothies have a lot of yogurt in them and then strawberries and then some milk,” Perkins said. Perkins encourages those interested in lifting to find a trainer. “Definitely find a trainer that knows a lot about powerlifting,” said Perkins who recommends Welter. “It’s a lot mental,” Perkins said. “You have to have a mindset of you can lift it. I tell myself I’m not going to fail lift, so I have no doubt when I go into it that I can do it.” Welter has trained several weightlifters who have competed in state and national competitions. Once, she took 10 women to the state competition. “I’ve been doing it for quite some time,” said Welter. “I fell in love with it. It is a passion right now.” Although Perkins’ squat deadlift record was broken within weeks of obtaining it, Perkins still holds the deadlift record. “My first competition only made me want to do more,” said Perkins. “I want to chase more records.” Although she is aging out of her junior category she still is qualified to compete in the junior nationals which will be held later this year. She is already in training for that competition. “We changed quite a few things on some of them, really fine-tuned and made each of the lifts a lot easier,” said Perkins. “That made the weight jump quite a bit.” You don’t have to be a champion to resolve to become healthier. SamFit has locations in Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon and Newport. Visit SamFit.org to learn more.
