Thread: Omaha Trainer Breaks National Record

Omaha Trainer Breaks National Record

August 15, 2011

After a dare from some men, Omaha trainer Kristin Kennedy breaks some weightlifting records!

By Malorie Maddox


Kristin Kennedy Powerlifting Champion

Kristin Kennedy is used to spending time at the gym.

Kristin says, "I've always lifted weights, and grew up on a farm, so I lift heavy things all the time."

She and her husband Robert spend time together in the gym. They run Kennedy Fitness, a business they started—providing personal training services.

They love a little friendly competition. After Robert competed in a bodybuilding show in July, Kristin says it all began.

"Some of the guys were downstairs talking afterward and found out I was kinda strong—they said well put up or shut up."

Kristin entered the International Bench Press Association Cornhusker Powerlifting Championship.

She won first in the state for bench press. She pushed up 150 pounds, setting a new state record.

But one state award wasn't enough.

She lifted 285 pounds in the Deadlift Competition. It was enough to beat the state and national IBPA record.

Kristin says, "I mean, males will be able to lift more than females... most of the time—I did beat some guys!"

Kristin plans on competing in more powerlifting competitions down the road.

From Omaha Trainer Breaks National Record

Kennedy sets national dead lift record

August 10, 2011

NORFOLK — Kristin Kennedy can be best described by one word: Powerful.

Kennedy, a 2002 graduate of Lakeview High School, turned in two record-setting performances at the first annual International Bench Press Association’s Cornhuskers Powerlifting Championships Aug. 6 at the Max Fitness Center in Norfolk.

Competing in the 162.25-198 pound weight class, Kennedy took first place in both the bench press and dead lift competitions. She lifted 150 pounds in the bench press and 285 in the dead lift. Both lifts were state records, and the dead lift effort set a national record. It also was 30 pounds higher than her previous best.

“It was awesome. I’d never lifted that much in the gym,” Kennedy said. “It was just the adrenaline and having the other competitors cheering me on. It was one of the best feelings in my life. I felt so powerful.”

What made Kennedy’s feat even more amazing was that she hadn’t lifted competitively before. Kennedy’s husband Robert, who also grew up in Columbus, is a North American Natural Bodybuilding Federation (NANBF) bodybuilder. He was competing at a meet when a friend invited the couple to compete in Norfolk.

Despite the lack of competition experience, fitness is nothing new to Kennedy, as she and her husband founded Kennedy Fitness in Omaha in 2008. Kennedy said the strength aspect is what she really enjoys about weight lifting.

“It just makes me feel strong,” she said. “A lot of women want to be thin. I’m more about feeling strong and being strong and healthy.”

Three weeks of training helped her get in shape to set the records. That and the support of her husband.

“He’s my trainer and spotter,” Kennedy said. “I’m going to continue to compete. He’s my motivation. He’s great.”

Kennedy grew up on a farm with her parents Tim and Joanne Gronenthal, of Platte Center. She played basketball and softball for the Viqueens, and she was named 2002 Female Athlete of the Year at Lakeview.

However, Kennedy never lifted weights in high school, but she did her share of work on the farm. She said her father played a big role in setting the records, as he gives her belief in herself.

Kennedy received a scholarship to play softball at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She transferred to the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2005, where she graduated with a degree in exercise science.
With the success of the record-setting meet fresh in her mind, the certified personal trainer has set her future goals even higher.

“My goal is to drop some body weight so I can drop a weight class,” she said. “I want to add as much strength as I possibly can so I can set new records. I am hoping to get 180 on the bench press and 300 in the dead lift.”

From Kennedy sets national dead lift record