Cpl Maxime Proulx strains under the weight of his lift during Ex HEAVY LOADER. Photo Jenna Dulewich/Shilo Stag.

Jenna Dulewich
Shilo Stag

It’s not everyday you see a man squat 730 pounds.

But that is exactly what everyone saw at 1RCHA during the morning of the 2018 Ex HEAVY LOADER competition, when former powerlifting champion Bdr David Harte, became reigning champion on Dec. 12.

“It’s pretty good… every year that I’ve done it, I’ve won,” Bdr Harte said with a humble smile, after winning the annual competition for the third time. “I was always a bigger guy and everyone said I should try powerlifting, so I did.”
Joining the ‘strength sport’ a mere three and a half years ago, the 26-year-old explained it was a former CFB Shilo major who got him into the 1RCHA annual powerlifting competition.

“Me and Maj Joe O’Donnell used to just train together and it went from there,” Bdr Harte recalled.

Joining the military five years ago, the bombardier said he originally wanted to become a police officer, but after going to school in Ontario and not having enough experience for the position, he made the decision to join the reserves and go into Regular Forces. A decision, the CP tech with A Bty, has not looked back on.

“I will probably stay with the artillery for the rest of my life,” Bdr Harte said.

The strength sport, on the other hand, is a different story.

Even with Harte’s powerlifting numbers “looking really good” this year – beating all his personal records and taking the belt with an impressive 730-pound squat, 400-pound bench lift, and 700-pound deadlift, the bombardier said he is debating joining the competition next year.

“I would like to pass the belt along to someone else,” Bdr Harte explained. “I think everyone is stronger than what they think, and a lot of it is mental.

“We had a guy out here today who didn’t know his numbers and is one of the top-three strongest here. [My advice is] do what you think you can, and by the third attempt, push it a little and do more than what you think you can you do.”

Bdr Harte also wanted to note, the competition is not meant to be taken super seriously and people should just try out and see what they can do.

“I think a lot of people should just have fun with it.”