Powerlifting at a fitness show is like putting an assault weapon demonstration at a peace exhibition. Or a Krispy Kreme donut eating challenge at a diabetes exhibition. It is ludicrously inappropriate. This is not my opinion. It is a categorical fact!
Fitness is only the ABSENCE of physical illness and injury. Any person who is not clinically sick, inactive or injured, is already fit. Fit people and athletes are not in the market for fitness any more than cancer survivors are in the market for more chemotherapy. Like Oncology, Fitness is a HEALTH service. Its about curing sick people. No sick person is cured with a national sports competitions; least of all Powerlifting.
Fitness exercise is literally defined as ANY activity involving physical effort, with no risk of injury. Fitness exercise is basically rehabilitation. In application, Fitness exercise is literally training to suck at any physical activity. Sports training is too intense and too greater risk of injury for the unfit people that fitness exercise is intended to treat.
The fact that fitness does not mean athleticism is underscored by the fact that fitness professionals – Personal Trainers – are not allowed to coach any sport, including Powerlifting. They are not qualified and sport is specifically excluded from the Fitness scope of practice. Sport is dangerous. Sport training is the OPPOSITE of training for fitness.
Athletes who apply fitness remedies are literally training to be WORSE athletes. It is exactly like giving surgical procedures or potent medical drugs to people who are not sick: the treatment will HARM them! Athlete training is not designed to treat an illness. In fact, athletes routinely risk getting sick and injured for better sports performance. Their goals are the complete OPPOSITE of fitness. So Powerlifting at a Fitness Show is like a home radiation kit at a Cancer Survivors Conference. It is THAT stupid and offensive.