Together in preparation for the world championship

Working with athletes is one of our favourite parts of the job. Here is a story we are proud of.

Who is Yordan Ivanov

Yordan Ivanov – five-time republican champion in powerlifting with equipment, in various categories. 4th place at the IPF European Championship.

2022 participated for the first time in a world championship at @theipf in the category up to 93 kilograms and performed well!

Preparing for the world championship

We started working together in preparation for this world championship, and now we continue for this year’s world championship!

Omni Health offers massage and manual therapy, kinesitherapy, apparatus physiotherapy and rehabilitation – for athletes and everyone else.

How we work with athletes

When preparing for major competitions we combine sports massage for recovery between sessions, kinesitherapy for mobility and stability, and timely work on overload – so the athlete can train fully and reach the start in top form.

Typical problems in powerlifting

Powerlifting puts very high loads on the lower back, hips, knees, shoulders and elbows. The most common complaints we see in powerlifting athletes are:

• lower back overload after heavy deadlift sessions;
• tension in the hip flexors and glutes that limits squat depth;
• shoulder and elbow pain from the low-bar squat and the bench press;
• irritated tendons around the knees;
• fatigue and stiffness in the days after heavy training.

Sports massage and kinesitherapy in powerlifting

Sports massage helps the muscles recover between heavy sessions, reduces stiffness and makes it easier to warm up for the next training. Before a competition we use shorter, lighter sessions so the athlete feels fresh. After the competition comes a longer recovery massage.

Kinesitherapy works on mobility and stability: hip and upper back mobility for a deeper, more stable squat, shoulder control for the bench press, and core strength that protects the back under load. When there is overload, we act early – with manual therapy, kinesio taping and adjusting the exercises together with the coach.

You can follow the big international competitions on the official site of the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF).

Advice for powerlifting athletes

• Plan recovery the same way you plan training – sleep, food and lighter days matter.
• Do not ignore pain that lasts more than a few days or gets worse with each session.
• Keep mobility work in your warm-up, not only at the end of the training.
• Book a massage in the heavy weeks of the cycle, not only before the competition.
• Tell your therapist your competition date so the work can be timed correctly.