Soldiers take to the weights at Army powerlifting championships
Soldiers representing cap badges from across the UK have been in action at the Army Powerlifting Championships in Minley, Hampshire.
The single lift tournament featured a high-class field aiming for the centre stage of military powerlifting, the Inter Services.
Although powerlifting is not an Olympic sport, it is enjoying a surge in popularity within the ranks as powerlifting can be applied in other sports, as well as helping to maintain soldiers' fitness during basic training and beyond.
The Army Powerlifting Association Secretary, Staff Sergeant Steve Baldock, says that powerlifting is "really the foundation for all other lifting in sport".
He said: "In powerlifting, you squat, you bench, you deadlift, it's really the foundation for all other lifting in sport.
"If you haven't got good strong legs, good strong core and back, you will struggle in other sports but, when you're doing this sport, it will get you fit and strong for everything else.
"So every time you pick something from the floor, lift something up and put it on a shelf, you will be using some part of one of the powerlifting movements and if you get that right, you are going to save yourself injuries in the long run," he added.
Army powerlifter Sergeant Ash Braham was using the Army Championships to help him to return to the Inter Services stage after he missed the last encounter with his Navy and RAF rivals.
He said: "So this, sort of, works as a qualifier for the Army team and then in February we have got a full power event which also helps to pick the team and that's what I have got my sights on.
"There's quite a lot of space within the team to bring extra people in so I don't really see it as rivals, but that's all good for the sport anyway."
The sport is also growing in popularity among women, with female soldiers are also taking to the weights.
Sergeant Paige Farley is one of the female powerlifting hopefuls who have enjoyed the sport's welcoming atmosphere.
She said: "It's really becoming a popular thing in the Army now for women to partake in, it's really nice to see.
"It's great to catch up with your friends as well and it is just great to have a more broad spectrum."
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