Sofia Loft

Sofia Loft is a 32 years old, three-time world champion in powerlifting from Skövde. She recently won Mästarnas Mästare on SVT. Sofia's excellent performance shows mental and physical strength, and she is a great example of how strength training can contribute to better performance in sports and life. We sat down with Sofia to talk about her training and learn what lifting brings to her life.

What does lifting mean to you?

The first thing that comes to my mind is joy! I still lift today, on a different level, but it gives me joy to train. I have also met a lot of lovely people during my career, and I wouldn't have made it without them.

Which competition do you think was the most fun during Mästarnas Mästare?

The Sysifos roll with the bullet was the most fun, and the sandbags in an obstacle course. They were both fun and heavy, which suits me well.

What benefits from powerlifting did you have in the competitions?

Above all, I had the advantage of being prepared to lift and pull heavy things, not everyone can. For example, with the sandbags or the sled where I just had to explode. It's important to feel that it is okay to give it all you got and just roar. It is not for everyone.

Have you always felt that your powerlifting training has given you versatile abilities?

Well, not when you are specifically trained for powerlifting competitions because at that point you have more explosive strength then stamina. Before Mästarnas Mästare I realized that I need to train to get more stamina, and therefore I did less heavy lifting and more running and all-round strength training, which I keep doing to this day.

What awakens your desire to compete and what gets you motivated?

I love pushing my body until it hurts as you do during competitions. I love to compete. If I've decided to win something then there's no doubt I will, something is going on in my brain that I can't describe, I just have to be the best.

For how long have you been competing in powerlifting?

I started in 2011 when I moved to Gothenburg to study physiotherapy. I used to practice Taekwondo on an elite level in Skövde but lost some of the joy in the sport after a while. So, with student life, a new chapter began and my friend and I met some powerlifters at a gym who asked if we wanted to try it out. I trained by myself for a while and started to lift a little. It felt important to start and set small goals without any pressure. After six months I invested seriously in powerlifting.

What's the best thing you bring with you from your powerlifting career?

The best part is something I have been thinking of afterward and it's all the people who have been there and supported me throughout my career and all the joy around me. It wouldn't have been the same result if that support and joy hadn't been there.

Any advice for anyone who wants to start with powerlifting?

The main thing is to just dare to do it, train continuously and not try to find any shortcuts or start any too complex programs as a beginner. It is also important to find people with the same interest so you can have fun together and support each other.

If you get to choose three strength exercises to do for the rest of your life, which ones will you choose?

Squats, bench press, and deadlift of course.

What do you think of Eleiko's products?

When choosing a gym, it is important for me that it has good equipment and most importantly a great powerlifting bar, preferably Eleiko. It's also Eleiko you lift during competitions and it's the best.