Travis Lift

I am one step closer to attempting a Travis Lift.  

My first descent into the Travis Lift rabbit hole was based on the very limited numbers that had been established in USAWA.  (17) Men and (3) Women have established records.  

1. 1990 - Howard Prechtel - 1815 (Ambridge)
2. 2006 - Misty Fritz (13) - 520 (Dino Gym)
3. 2006 - Kirstie Griffis (14) - 520 (Dino Gym)
4. 2006 - Mary McConnaughey - 740 (Dino Gym)
5. 2006 - Kent Longbine (14) - 880 (Dino Gym)
6. 2006 - John Janzen - 1000 (Dino Gym)
7. 2006 - Layne Burnett - 1200 (Dino Gym)
8. 2006 - David Suttle - 1200 (Dino Gym)
9. 2006 - Rick Newton - 1200 (Dino Gym)
10. 2006 - Joe Garcia - 2000 (Dino Gym)
11. 2006 - Dean Ross - 1200 (Dino Gym)
12. 2006 - Rudy Bletscher (70) - 740 (Dino Gym)
13. 2006 - Tim Pinkerton - 1200 (Dino Gym)
14. 2006 - Kurt Pohlman - 1200 (Dino Gym)
15. 2006 - Bret Carter - 1600 (Dino Gym)
16. 2006 - Eric Todd - 2000 (Dino Gym)
17. 2006 - John O'Brien - 1600 (Dino Gym)
18. 2006 - Josh Hettinger - 1200 (Dino Gym)
19. 2015 - Derek Prior - 585 (Florida)
20. 2015 - Theo Prior - 705 (Florida)

Howard Prechtel established the first record at 1815 pound in 1990 in Ambridge during a record day.

The lift was next contested at the 2006 Dino Gym Challenge.  That year, the Dino Gym Challenge was subtitled the Travis Lift Showdown.  The top Men's mark of 2000 pounds was shared by Joe Garcia and Eric Todd.  The top Women's mark was 740 pounds by Mary McConnaughey.

After another long hiatus, the lift was tested at a record day in Florida in 2015.  Derek Prior and Theo Prior (13 years old) lifted 585 pounds and 705 pounds respectively.  Way to go kid!  The Florida Record Day was the first ever USAWA record day in Florida and was hosted at The Iron Cave in Fellsmere, Florida.

When looking at those records, notice that four of them are junior records!!

The next level of the rabbit hole was a thread I posted on the USAWA Forum asking has for any experience anyone had with the lift.  Someone mentioned a belt with hooks.  Another lifter gave a warning about being the danger of being attached to an elevated barbell.  Finally thoughts were added on the number of power belts that were broken during the efforts.  

5 months later, I have crafted some utility-loops based on a design from Belt Fed Strength.  It may be another 5 months before I actually give this lift a try, but wanted to document my progress.