FAQs for The Praxis Cup at Fitcon

1. Is there a qualifying total? No.  This is an invitational. 

2. What is an invitational?  A competition open to lifters or teams by specific invitation from the meet director

3. Who is invited? This year our intention is to give back to the teams and athletes who have so generously volunteered and helped at our local and national meets.  We are awarding significant cash prizes to the top 3 teams based on team points and the top 3 overall individual men and women based on Sinclair.  Invitations were sent to registered USAW clubs in Utah who have contributed to running our Utah meets.  Team Praxis, although a valued contributor, will not compete for the team award.  Praxis supports other teams in taking home this money.  Based on the paid registration responses from teams, we are now inviting individual athletes to fill the available spots.  Team Praxis lifters who are not competing at USAW National Championships are invited to compete as individuals. 

4.  Will there be spots for open registration? Possibly.  There is a waiting list of lifters who have submitted formal intent to lift.  These lifters will be given first preference.  Following their paid registration responses, any available spots will be open to the public (with USAW card).  

5. What will the teams consist of?  Any combination of 6 lifters with no more than 2 masters and 2 youth/juniors.  

6.  How are team points awarded? TEAM lifters only will be awarded the typical IWF team scoring 6 points = 1st place, 4 pts = 2nd, 3 pts = 3rd, 2 pts = 4th, 1 pt = 5th.  TEAM lifters will compete in age and weight class including youth, junior and national master classes.  

7. So youth and Jr. lifters will win in their class?  No.  They will be awarded points for their team based on earned place.  Individual awards are given only to the top 3 overall men and women based on Sinclair placement.  http://www.iwf.net/weightlifting_/sinclair-coefficient/

8. What are the cash awards?  Final amounts will be determined based on registration, but we expect

Individual awards based on Sinclair
1st place women $500
2nd place women $300
3rd place women $150

1st place men $500
2nd place men $300
3rd place men $150

Team awards based on point scoring:
1st place team $1000
2nd place team $700
3rd place team $400

9. Is there really a Praxis Cup?  There really is.  The physical trophy cup will be awarded to the first place team.  Their team name and each member will be inscribed on the trophy after the MMXVI Praxis Cup at Fitcon.  (Why not have a little fun with this amidst the brutal competition)


10. Is this State Championships? No.  State Championships will be in July.

11.  Will The Praxis Cup at Fitcon be an invitational next year?  Probably a combination.  We intend for this to be the best competition in Utah.  We are planning to invite lifters from across the country when the dates of Fitcon do not conflict with USAW National Championships.  

12.  Will the Werksan equipment be sold at a discount?  Yes.  15% with pre order.  Contact Kenny at 856-273-1000 (you must mention the FitconUtah discount).  

13.  Is the Werksan discount available to Utah only?  No.  Werksan is offering this discount to everyone.  Preorders will be held at Praxis until pick up is arranged.  Praxis is located 10 min. from the National Championships/Olympic Trials venue.  Those coming for Nationals may want to take advantage of this Werksan discount.  

14.  Can I volunteer to help at the event?  Yes.  Volunteers will get a Werksan t-shirt and free admission to Fitcon.  Email: praxisweightlifting@gmail.com

Finding a Weightlifting Coach

1. Do your research by asking lifters, coaches and reading any information you can find - OTHER THAN WHAT THAT COACH SAYS ABOUT THEMSELVES.
2. If a coach claims to have coached previous great lifters, talk to those lifters directly.  You should be aware why a lifter left a coach to train with someone else.
3. Coaches with character will NOT privately FB message, text or call a lifter affiliated with another team or coach in order to recruit them.  Actually, they will not initiate conversation at all regardless of their intention of recruiting. 
4. When a coach wants to make a suggestion to a lifter's technique or training, they will contact that lifter's coach, not the lifter.
5. Coaches with character will NOT accept an affiliated lifter to their team without first discussing it with the lifter's current coach.
6. Work with a coach before affiliating with his/her team.

I    If you encounter a coach who misrepresents their accomplishments, has a questionable reputation within their weightlifting community, cannot maintain their lifters for long periods of time, or demonstrates #3, #4, or #5, you are taking a risk with not only your long-term weightlifting progress, but your emotional and psychological approach to the sport.  

1.