Mark Salandra, 50, Captures Weight Lifting Title

Hillsborough resident Mark Salandra took first place in the Masters 165 lb. bench press in the 2013 United States Powerlifting Championships March 23, 2013.

The championship event was run by World Association of Iron Athletes at the Runnemede Inn, in Runnemede. More than 60 contestants competing in over 10 different weight classes and age divisions participated.    

Salandra competed in the 165 lb. Masters Bench Press class, winning with a 230 lbs. bench press lift. Salandra said the contest lifts are very strict and on the bench press, "you have to pause the bar on your chest for two seconds until the bar is motionless, then you need to press the bar up with no arching and in one smooth motion."  

The 2013 contest represents the 31st year that Salandra has been competing—at 50, he's now competing in the Masters division. Salandra held the state record in the 165lb class at age 22, bench pressing 330 lbs., and then bench pressing 400 lbs. in the 181 lb. class.

"I started preparing for this contest the day after New Years and in that time I lost 13 lbs. of body weight in 11 weeks," he said.  

Salandra trains at the Body Shop and has his own Strength Training Studio with Mark Nagel’s Belle Mead Physical Therapy.  

Salandra owns StrengthCondition.com, a strength training company that provides instruction on the safe and effective ways to increase muscle strength and help reduce sports injuries for young athletes and adults. His volunteer work with children has won him the 2012 President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (PCFSN) Community Leadership Award from the President of the United States.  

Salandra continues to work with the youth in our community instructing them on the value of a regular fitness program including improved self confidence and increase in overall health, including coaching at the Hillsborough High School fitness center.