To find old issues of PLUSA, go HERE
Welcome to a deep dive into the vault of powerlifting history. We are looking back at the April 1980 issue of Powerlifting USA. Back then, this magazine was the lifter's bible, costing just $1.50 and capturing a sport in the middle of a massive transition. It was a time of incredible political drama, legendary records, and the rise of some of the greatest icons to ever touch a barbell.
The State of the Sport: A World Divided
In April 1980, the powerlifting world was in the middle of a full-blown political civil war. The USPF and the IPF were locked in a struggle for control over international representation. Rumors and charges were flying, and lifters were often caught in the crossfire of sanction disputes. There was even talk of suspending legends like Clay Patterson through regular AAU channels. Despite the chaos behind the scenes, the community was exploding, with major events like the Hawaii International Conference drawing crowds of over 4,500.
Legend Profile: Bill Kazmaier’s Auburn Blueprint
The cover story belongs to a young Bill Kazmaier. Long before he became a household name in World's Strongest Man, Kaz was the Strength Coach at Auburn University. He lived by the philosophy "Conceive, Believe, Achieve." This wasn't just a catchy slogan; he applied scientific rigor to his training that most people couldn't imagine.
Research at Auburn revealed that Kaz used a meticulously slow descent on the bench press. While most lifters would drop the bar quickly, Kaz brought it down with only 10% of the actual weight. This control allowed him to build explosive power from the chest to the midpoint of the lift. One of the most legendary stories in this issue details Kaz taking a 10-month "sojourn" to Central America, losing 35 lbs, and returning to California to bench 315 lbs for 5 sets of 5 without a single workout in between.
Kaz's 1980 Training Split:
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Sunday: Heavy Deadlifts followed by Light Squats, Calf work, and Leg Curls.
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Monday: Light Benches (Sets of 5), pause benches, narrow-grip bench press, and front-delt raises.
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Tuesday: Shrugs, triceps extensions, and seated hammer curls.
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Wednesday: Heavy squats and round-back deadlifts in the rack.
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Thursday: Heavy benches, narrow-grip bench presses, and front-delt raises.
- Friday: Primarily upper back work and shrugs.
Meet Spotlight: The Rise of Women’s Worlds
The magazine also highlights a massive milestone: the upcoming First Women’s World Championships in Lowell, Massachusetts. This was a new frontier. Jan Todd was the undisputed queen of the era, officially becoming the first woman to break the 500-pound barrier with a world record 501.25 lb squat. The issue teases a historic showdown between Todd and Ann Turbyne, marking the beginning of a new era for women's strength.
The Leaderboard: Top 10 U.S. Light Heavyweights (181 lb Class)
The 181 lb class in 1980 was absolutely stacked. These rankings represent the top lifters in the country at the time.
| Rank | Name | Squat | Bench | Deadlift | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fred Hatfield | 727 | 407 | 700 | 1835 |
| 2 | Mike Bridges | 700 | 430 | 705 | 1835 |
| 3 | Walter Thomas | 611 | 407 | 578 | 1587 |
| 4 | Jim Cash | 733 | 435 | 804 | 1972 |
| 5 | Ernie Frantz | 600 | 407 | 583 | 1691 |
| 6 | Jay Rosciglione | 540 | 220 | 505 | 1175 |
| 7 | Jack Federan | 660 | 435 | 665 | 1760 |
| 8 | Rich Holmes | 790 | 450 | 720 | 1930 |
| 9 | Gary Horejsi | 500 | 410 | 540 | 1775 |
| 10 | Mike MacDonald | 440 | 522 | 570 | 1530 |
Advice from the Founders
These vintage training columns are full of advice that is still relevant today, along with some brutally honest takes on the lifestyle.
John Kuc on Plateau Breaking:
John Kuc famously used forced reps to push his bench press to massive heights while training under Jim Williams. However, he warned lifters that forced reps only work for a short time. Once your body gets used to that level of recruitment, adding more forced reps won't increase your total. His rule: use them to spark new growth, but when the gains stop, move on to a new movement.
Ken Leistner’s Blunt Truths:
The late Dr. Ken Leistner didn't mince words. He urged lifters to stop listening to "local gym heroes" and start reading actual biochemistry texts. He was one of the first to call out the "bizarre" diets of lifters, arguing that you almost never need 400 grams of protein unless you weigh 500 lbs. He also famously described the Image Bar's knurling as so sharp you could shave with it, cautioning that it would strip the skin right off your neck if you weren't careful.
The 1980 Marketplace: Vintage Gear Prices
Before the internet, you had to mail a physical check or money order to a PO Box. Here is what it cost to gear up in the early 80s:
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The "Miracle Suit": Advertised as the ultimate powerlifting uniform in 8 colors for $29.50.
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Cyclone Belts: These 10cm wide, hand-assembled belts were $29.00 for natural leather or $49.00 for suede.
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Hurricane Knee Wraps: A must for big squatters, selling for $10.00 a pair.
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Liquid Protein Density: A 12-can supply sold for $13.00, boasting 30g of protein with zero carbs.
- Cambered Bench Bar: For those working on pectoral development, these were $65.00 postpaid.
This April 1980 issue reminds us that while the gear and science have evolved, the grind remains the same. Whether it was Kazmaier obsessing over descent speed or Jan Todd smashing the 500-pound barrier, the heart of the sport was built in these pages.
