New to sport, USTRANSCOM airman quickly excels in powerlifting

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill— Air Force Staff Sgt. Jen Rider may look like an average gym patron as she hits the machines in the James Gym on Scott Air Force Base. But her physique indicates a little more than an occasional visit to the facility where she participates in a regimented workout schedule aimed at preparing her for the next powerlifting competition.

Rider has accomplished much in a short nine months of competition. She holds six Illinois state powerlifting records, a RAW Junior American Record and four Women’s RAW American Records. Rider participates in RAW Powerlifting Federation events which promote a pure form of lifting, prohibiting equipment other than a belt and wrist straps or substances that assist in powerlifting.

She recently finished first place in her weight class and second place overall in last month’s 2012 National Military Powerlifting Championship held in Kaiserslautern, Germany, the highest level of competition within the military.

Rider started lifting weights two years ago but did not pick up powerlifting until last year when her workout partner, James Perkins, who works on base at the hospital, encouraged her to try out the sport. She took his advice, and as Rider explains, “I got hooked.” 

Rider decided to join the United States Air Force Powerlifting Team to further her interests in the sport. The team is a support network even though it is loosely structured and most team members are located across the globe. One teammate, though, is close by — Chief Master Sgt. Troy Saunders of Air Mobility Command.

Using her success in the sport as a catalyst for further competition, Rider plans to compete in the USA Powerlifting Pennsylvania State Championship in May and the RAW Nationals Powerlifting Championship this August, with the hopes of performing well enough to receive an invitation to compete at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. She says earning a spot in this competition is her ultimate goal because “it is one of the highest and biggest events and is hard to get the chance to compete there.”

As she prepares for competition, Rider continues to keep in peak physical condition through training with Perkins and her coach, Brady Stewart, who works at Air Mobility Command, three days a week.

In addition to powerlifting, Rider is an avid sports enthusiast and plays hockey, softball and basketball in her spare time. She joined the Air Force more than five years ago because she wanted the opportunity to serve her country and see the world.

Rider works in USTRANSCOM's intelligence directorate with Sensitive Compartmented Information, processing visit requests and debriefing personnel. She has enjoyed being stationed at Scott Air Force Base, particularly the time spent with her USTRANSCOM team members who, she says, "have provided me support by helping to make sure I have the tools and means necessary to travel and weight train."

-USTRANSCOM-

PHOTOS

Air Force Staff Sgt. Jen Rider recently finished first place in her weight class and second place overall in the 2012 National Military Powerlifting Championship held in March at Kaiserslautern, Germany, the highest level of competition within the military. Here Rider goes through her daily workout routine, April 4, at the James Gym on Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Photo by Bob Fehringer, USTRANSCOM/PA