Siblings develop powerlifting talent at home

By Sean Ammerman

Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008 | midnight

It's safe to say the Blue family of Las Vegas takes their weight training seriously.

Before Briana, 15, and Stuart Blue, 13, begin their daily home-school lessons, they start each morning with a 4 a.m. neighborhood run.

The warm-up is followed by weight lifting in the living room gym, where the siblings may squat close to 300 pounds.

Even their 7-year-old sister, Shoshana Blue, has gotten into the act with daily training.

"It's a tough workout every day, but I have gotten used to it," Stuart Blue, 13, said.

The daily routine may be challenging, but that's what has made them the top local youth who compete in powerlifting, a weight lifting sport that tests one's might in the squat, bench press, and deadlift.

In June, Stuart Blue won the Amateur Athletic Union North American Power Lifting Championship in Vista, Calif., in the age 12 and 13, 165-pound division. Briana Blue won the same title in her age 14 and 15, 148-pound division.

"I don't do as well in competition," Briana Blue said. "I don't like the feeling of everyone looking at me, but I have gotten better."

The wins made the older siblings two-time champions, while Shoshana Blue won her first national championship in the age 6 and 7, 77-pound division at the June tournament.

The mastermind behind the Blue's success is their father, Bob Blue, a former martial arts competitor and weight lifter.

Bob Blue began as his children's martial arts coach and introduced weight training about four years ago as a way to improve at combat sports.

The Blues aren't members of expensive gyms, nor do they have a large collection of weight machines. They train with the bare essentials in their living room.

"It's what you do and how you use what you have," Bob Blue said. "People think you need all this equipment. Everything we need is right here in our living room."

Briana Blue has set four amateur records in her weight and age classes. Her heaviest squat, bench press and deadlifts have been, 278, 138, and 276 pounds, respectively.

The powerlifting has had a positive effect on her mixed martial arts competitions.

"The powerlifting has helped because I can hit a lot harder than most girls," she said. "They can't submit me because I am stronger than they are."

Stuart Blue's top competition lifts in the squat, bench press, and deadlift have been at 287, 128, and 276 pounds, respectively.

Sean Ammerman is a reporter for the Home News. He can be reached at 990-2661 or [email protected].