Nick Manders

IPF Open Classic World Championship
2023 - 83kg - Bronze

IPF Junior Classic World Championship
2022 - 83kg - 4th

CPU Open Classic National Championship
2023 - 83kg - Gold

CPU Junior Classic National Championship
2022 - 83kg - Gold
2020 - 74kg - Silver
2019 - 74kg - 5th

Best Lifts
Classic Squat - 265kg
Classic Bench Press - 167.5kg
Classic Deadlift - 367.5kg
Classic Total - 797.5kg

Biography
My name is Nick Manders, and I’ve been powerlifting for almost 8 years as of writing. I got into the sport due to a petty grudge and a juvenile desire to be the strongest kid in my high school, and that ignited a competitive career that has brought me to two world championships, podiuming at one and falling just short at the other. A bit of that chip on my shoulder that developed as a brash sub-junior remains; just making podium isn’t enough.

I’ve been self coached from the start and will be until I retire. Thinking and theory crafting is half the joy of powerlifting for me and relinquishing any amount of that would take away much of the excitement I have for the sport (not to mention the aspect of my pride). King’s Fitness here in Calgary, AB has been my gym, my home now since 2018. It’s open 24/7 so I’m free to stay as late as I want, train as hard as I want, and test the dumbest ideas I have.

Outside of my own training, I train others as a head coach at Clean Strength Fitness. Outside of powerlifting entirely, I don’t have any intensive hobbies. I relax, I play video games, watch a video essay, read a book. Bland.

What is your favourite lifting memory?
2017 APU Provincials. Walked away with every 83 Subjr National Record. It was one of my first “big” accomplishments as a person and it felt insurmountable at the time. I’ve been chasing that high since, honestly.

What is one piece of advice you have for up and coming athletes getting into strength training or strength sport?
Get strong. Getting technically proficient will only take you so far; it’s a strength sport, you have to build strength. Push your accessories, “build a base”, and actually become a strength athlete.

What is your favourite lift or event?
Bench Press

What is your favourite product and why?
Powerlifting Knee Sleeves
The SBD Knee Sleeve is a quintessential part of powerlifting history. Picking anything else is negligent and silly.

What 3 other items are your go to and why?
13mm Belt
Socks
T-shirt

I can’t squat without a belt, they won’t let me compete without a shirt, and the SBD socks are my favourite socks, period. I use the Phantom edition as dress socks.

What colourway is your favourite and why?
Defy
About a week before the Defy line was announced I remember talking with a friend about “how cool would a tan colourway be?” Felt clairvoyant after that.

Why do you believe SBD is the gear all athletes should use?
It’s the gold standard. Records have been broken and will continue to be broken in SBD gear.

Why do you believe in working with SBD Canada as a Sponsored Athlete?
Sheffield and what it represents in terms of the future of the sport. That meet elevated powerlifting to a new level, a new era, and I believe that SBD will continue to usher us into that era. I just want to be on the winning team.