J Robinson, a power lifter from Rock Hill, takes a moment to prepare himself before tackling 800 pounds of weight on the bench press at the first-ever Bench Press Competition at Your Best Body. (Ledger photo / TIM GULLA) John "J" Robinson had a pretty simple master plan Saturday.

The power lifter from Rock Hill, like all the other competitors in the first-ever Bench Press Competition at Your Best Body on Old Georgia Highway, would get three opportunities to set a weightlifting mark. Every competitor, Robinson included, started with a "lower" weight they knew they could handle and then increased the weight for each successive attempt.

But while every competitor reached marks that would make lesser individuals raise their eyebrows, at this meet, at least, Robinson was in a league of his own.

His first attempt started at 720 pounds, the second would be 760 pounds and his third attempt would target 800 pounds "if everything goes according to the master plan," he said.

Robinson's "master plan" almost panned out, too. With 800 pounds of iron literally bending the thick weightlifting bar, Robinson fell short of a full press by just an inch or so, causing the equally burly "spotters" to jump in with some assistance.

Robinson wasn't necessarily dejected, as he knew he could do it and had previously accomplished an 827-pound lift. And he knew he would be back.

"It's a lot of fun," he said, "a good sport."

While David and Lisa Fink, owners of Your Best Body, had previously run such competitions at a gym in Myrtle Beach, they had never before run one at their gym in Gaffney. They credited gym member James Spearman with organizing the event and pledged that it would become a regular attraction.

Even in its first year, the competition in Gaffney attracted power lifters from across the Carolinas and David Fink expects even more competitors as the competition becomes more established and well-known.

"Every one we do (in the future) will be better," he said.

A professional DJ pumped hard-driving music as about 50 or 60 onlookers cheered the competitors and provided enthusiastic support, especially when the competitors struggled.

While many participants had the chiseled physiques of body builders, power lifters are in some ways a different breed. While there was plenty of health conscious drinks and foods available, the gym also offered the power lifters something that traditional body builders might normally frown upon — hot dogs.

Lisa Fink said such competitions give power lifters a chance to demonstrate the skills and accomplishments they work so hard to achieve.

"They're competing against each other," David Fink added, "but also against themselves."

For many competitors, entering a competition like this is also a motivational tool to get better.

So how do you bench press 800 pounds?

"It's more about technique and not all about brute strength," Robinson answered.

Luckily, competitors didn't have to top Robinson, who lifted greater weights than anyone on Saturday, to be successful as competitions are broken into age and weight divisions.