Fitness Volt
  • News
    • Bodybuilding
    • Strongman
    • Powerlifting
    • Armwrestling
    • CrossFit
    • Results
    • Arnold Classic
    • Mr. Olympia
    • 2025 WSM
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Workout Plans
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Training Programs
    • Mastering The Deadlift
  • Exercise Guides
    • Muscle Groups
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Chest
    • Core
    • Legs and Glutes
    • Mobility & Stretching
    • Shoulders
    • Yoga
  • Nutrition
    • Diet
    • Fasting
    • Diet Plans
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Supplements
    • Reviews
    • Food Facts
  • Calculators
  • More
    • Forum
    • Strength Standards
    • DIY
    • Profiles
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • MMA
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
  • News
    • Bodybuilding
    • Strongman
    • Powerlifting
    • Armwrestling
    • CrossFit
    • Results
    • Arnold Classic
    • Mr. Olympia
    • 2025 WSM
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Workout Plans
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Training Programs
    • Mastering The Deadlift
  • Exercise Guides
    • Muscle Groups
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Chest
    • Core
    • Legs and Glutes
    • Mobility & Stretching
    • Shoulders
    • Yoga
  • Nutrition
    • Diet
    • Fasting
    • Diet Plans
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Supplements
    • Reviews
    • Food Facts
  • Calculators
  • More
    • Forum
    • Strength Standards
    • DIY
    • Profiles
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • MMA
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
No Result
View All Result
Home » Bodybuilding

Rheta West Went From Setting Powerlifting World Records To Bodybuilding, And She Doesn’t Care What You Think

Rheta West discusses what it was like to set powerlifting world records, and why she decided to make the transition to bodybuilding

Written by Derek Hall

Published on20 November, 2020 | 5:44 PM EDT

Updated on20 November, 2020 | 6:43 PM EDT

Ask Question?
Rheta West

Photos via Instagram @power_lady_74

For many years, Rheta West completely wrecked the powerlifting world with her unreal strength. Now she has made the move to bodybuilding, and is likely the strongest female bodybuilder in the world.

For more than a decade, West has been one of the most fearsome women powerlifting in both the 148lb and 165lb weight classes. Over the course of her career in the sport, she has set nine world records between the two divisions. Even to this day, two of those records still stand in the 148lb division, both for her squat and equipped total.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rheta West (@power_lady_74)

 

Some of the other impressive numbers that West hit in the squat was a raw 535lb, while weighing 145lb, and a 700lb squat in wraps while weighing 165lb. Speaking recently in an interview, she explained that both of these times she could have gone heavier than this weight. She also detailed how powerlifting came naturally to her and that it only took her a few years to start shattering records.

Get Fitter, Faster

Level Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!

Please wait...
You're In! Let's Crush Your Fitness Goals Together

Expect expert-backed workouts, nutrition advice, the latest in strength sports, and a whole lot of motivation heading your way.

“I broke my first all time historical record at five years in,” West said. “I started rising up in the ranks really fast. I was about two or three years in before I was in the top five in the world. So I kind of got up there fast, but it took five years to actually break that top.

“I wish I had more attempts (after the 535lb squat). I could have gone higher,” West continued. “(The 700lb squat) was at 165. It was funny because their monolith was too tall for me. So I literally had to shrug on the bar, and then they helped pick it up so they could move the hooks, and then set it on my shoulders…The tighter you are the lighter it feels. I was pretty good at staying tight back then.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rheta West (@power_lady_74)

 

Rheta West Moves To Bodybuilding

Nowadays Rheta West still enjoys powerlifting, but she owns a gym and has decided to try her hand at bodybuilding. She has earned her IFBB Pro Card, and made her bodybuilding debut recently, at the 2020 IFBB Chicago Pro. Although she only scored 8th here, she is not giving up on bodybuilding, and hopes to compete in the Wings of Strength Rising Phoenix soon.

“Part of what attracts me to bodybuilding is the struggle because that’s what I’m really good at. I’m really good at suffering and coming through on top,” West said. “I want to do something early spring first. I know the Chicago Pro is usually in July and if it is (next year), that’s something I’m going to be looking at. I want to apply for an invite to the Rising Phoenix, but that one would be at the end of the year. Because they kind of carried women’s bodybuilding all that time when everyone turned their backs on it, I really feel strongly, I want to be a part of that.”

The bodybuilding career of Rheta West is still taking off, but if she takes the same approach to it as she did powerlifting, she will surely find success. Regardless, the strength that she has is off the charts, and makes her a unique addition to women’s bodybuilding.


If you have any questions or need further clarification about this news, please leave a comment below, and Derek will get back to you as soon as possible.

Stay on top of the latest fitness news and updates by adding Fitness Volt to your Google News feed: Follow us on Google News You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for even more content.
Facebook Twitter Reddit Flipboard LinkedIn Pinterest
Categories: Bodybuilding News Powerlifting
Previous Post

Brandon Curry Looks Peeled And Primed To Retain His Title 4 Weeks From Olympia

Next Post

Water Intake Calculator

Derek Hall

Derek Hall

Staff News Writer and interviewer for MMA, powerlifting, bodybuilding, strongman, and CrossFit. Full time fight fan, part time participant. Bringing out of the box thinking to the world since 1995. Opinions are strictly my own.

Related

Tom Platz
Bodybuilding

Tom Platz Says Using Higher Reps and Heavier Weights on Different Training Days is the ‘Secret’ to Bodybuilding

Arnold Schwarzenegger
Bodybuilding

Mr. Olympia Icons Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ronnie Coleman Team Up for Delt and Arm Workout at Gold’s Gym Venice

Pleun Dekkers Sets Raw Squat Ipf World Record
Powerlifting

Pleun Dekkers (52KG) Sets 178-kg (392.4-lb) Raw Squat World Record at 2025 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships

Marcello De Angelis Announces Move To Classic Physique
Bodybuilding

Bodybuilder Marcello De Angelis Announces Return to Classic Physique

Bob Cicherillo
Bodybuilding

Bob Cicherillo & Shawn Ray Urge Regan Grimes to Skip 2025 Olympia, Say Classic Physique Is Bodybuilding and Freak Show Could Kill Men’s Open

Lee Priest
Bodybuilding

Lee Priest Reveals His Cheapest High-Protein Go-To Bulking Meal

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest

The “Spice Up Your Summer” Diet: 3 Thermogenic Spices to Naturally Boost Your Metabolism

Alan Ritchson Shows Off Ripped Upper Body, Hits ‘Low-Ish Weight & High Volume’ Workout for Hypertrophy and Longevity

Arnold Schwarzenegger Says Standing Throughout the Day Can Reduce Risk of Early Death by Up to 55%

Tom Platz Says Using Higher Reps and Heavier Weights on Different Training Days is the ‘Secret’ to Bodybuilding

Forget the Gym — These 3 Kettlebell Moves Will Transform Your Entire Body

Mr. Olympia Icons Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ronnie Coleman Team Up for Delt and Arm Workout at Gold’s Gym Venice

Fitness Volt

At Fitness Volt, our mission is to empower every individual on their fitness journey by providing expert advice, the latest research, and comprehensive resources. Whether you are a beginner or an elite athlete, we are here to support your goals with trustworthy and up-to-date information in strength, fitness, and nutrition. Read more.

For inquiries, please contact us at:
Email: [email protected]

About Us | Careers | Contact Form

Topics

  • Mr. Olympia
  • Bodybuilding
  • Strongman
  • WSM
  • Powerlifting
  • CrossFit
  • Workouts
  • Exercises
  • Training
  • Reviews
  • Nutrition
  • Discussion Forum

More

  • Calculators
  • Fasting
  • Mastering The Deadlift
  • Workout Plans
  • At-Home Workouts
  • Programs
  • Supplements
  • Newsletter
  • Review Process
  • Accessibility
  • Advertise
  • Syndication
  • Sitemap
  • DMCA
  • Copyrights
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Disclaimer

© Copyright 2010 - 2024 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Bodybuilding
    • Powerlifting
    • Strongman
    • Armwrestling
    • CrossFit
    • Results
    • Mr. Olympia
    • 2024 WSM
    • Arnold Classic
  • Forum
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Workout Plans
    • Muscle Groups
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Programs
    • Mastering The Deadlift
  • Exercise Guides
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Chest
    • Core
    • Legs and Glutes
    • Shoulders
    • Yoga
  • Nutrition
    • Diet
    • Fasting
    • Diet Plans
    • Supplements
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Reviews
    • Food Facts
  • Fitness Calculator
  • More
    • DIY
    • Strength Standards
    • Motivation
    • Videos

© Copyright 2010 - 2024 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.