On Sunday, November 15, 2009 lifting enthusiasts will have an opportunity to test themselves and win great prizes at the 2nd Annual Greater Dufferin Open Bench Press Competition - to be held at ACTS "Headwaters' Family Fitness & Athletics" (located at Hwy 9 & Heart Lake Road).

In this competition, participants will be required to lie on a bench while holding a weighted barbell at arms length. Upon the judge's signal, the lifter must lower the barbell so that it touches the chest and then 'press' it back up to arms length.

For a lift to be considered a "good" lift, the lifter must obey the judges' commands and complete the lift without moving the feet or lifting the backside off the bench.

The 2008 event was a great success drawing competitors from throughout the Greater Dufferin Area and beyond. This year, the event will include two components: a Maximum Lift event and a Maximum Repetitions event.

For the Maximum Lift component (a test of limit strength), all competitors will have three (3) attempts to register his/her best lift. Competitors will be ranked by multiplying their heaviest successful lift by a formula that takes his/her bodyweight into consideration.

This will be followed by the Maximum Repetitions event (a test of strength endurance), which will allow competitors one (1) opportunity to register as many repetitive lifts as possible with a weight equivalent to their bodyweight (for men) - or 60% of their bodyweight for women. For this event lifters will be ranked by who completes the highest number of repetitions in each division.

Competitors may enter as individuals and/or as part of a team of three (3) people.

Prizes and bragging rights will be awarded for the best men's and women's individual performances and for the top team in EACH event.

The entry fee is $30 per individual or $75 per team, and must be submitted with a registration form no later than Monday, November 2nd at ACTS "Headwaters' Family Fitness & Athletics", at Popeye's Supplements Orangeville or Popeye's Supplements Newmarket. (All locations also have registration forms on site.)

Final registration and weigh-in will take place on November 15th between 11:30am and 12:30pm, and the competition will begin at 1:00pm.

There is no admission fee to watch the competition and the public is encouraged to attend and cheer on the competitors.

To inquire about this competition, please contact Charles Banfield at charles.banfield@ sympatico.ca or James Newton at jnewton19@ hotmail.com