Deana D’Andrea, a powerhouse in the world of powerlifting, continually inspires her followers with impressive workout clips on Instagram. Recently, she shared highlights from a competition, expressing gratitude by captioning, “Thank you @momentsinpower for your effort and dedication to capturing so many special moments and emotions throughout the meet day!” D’Andrea’s training sessions reveal her strength and dedication to the sport and emphasize her passion for pushing boundaries through intense lifting routines.
Weightlifting is the main way D’Andrea stays in shape. According to ACE Fitness, weight lifting has a lot of benefits. “Using maximal loads for compound (multi-joint) movements like the deadlift, squat-to-shoulder press, bent-over row or chest press can improve intermuscular coordination, which is the ability of many muscles to work together to generate and control high levels of force through multiple joints.”
D’Andrea is seen doing squats in this Instagram video. She captioned the post, “A little of this and a little of that 🙃 one week closer to meet day!” The Cleveland Clinic states that squats are very beneficial. “Squats are integral to athletic training programs, enhancing speed, agility, strength and power across various sports disciplines,” says sports and exercise medicine physician Matthew Kampert, DO. “Squats primarily target the muscles in the thighs, hips and buttocks, leading to enhanced stability, balance and overall lower body strength.”
In the previous Instagram video, D’Andrea is seen doing deadlifts. ACE Fitness states that deadlifts are very beneficial. “One significant benefit of the RDL is that it teaches clients how to lift from the hips instead of using the lower back. The base move of the RDL is the standing hip hinge, which is an important component of learning how to squat correctly. The first move during the lowering phase of the squat should be the hips moving back in a flexed position. Back pain is often associated with not using the hips properly when squatting or bending over to pick an object up off of the ground. Teaching clients how to lift safely in the gym means they may reduce their risk of injury when lifting heavy things in their daily lives.”
D’Andrea uses a lot of equipment when she works out. One thing she uses is bars. D’Andrea posted this photo of herself with her new bars on Instagram. She captioned it, “New @sportkraftusa squat and bench bars are in!! 😍 and they’re PINK! 😎 can’t wait to put these bad boys to use!!”
In addition to powerlifting, Deana D’Andrea spends time horseback riding, an activity that provides a range of health benefits. Riding works core muscles, as riders constantly engage their abs, lower back, and pelvic muscles to maintain balance and posture on the horse. It also strengthens the legs and improves flexibility in the hips, glutes, and thighs. According to the British Horse Society, riding can burn up to 600 calories per hour, offering an effective cardiovascular workout. Horseback riding also boosts mental health by reducing stress, enhancing mood, and building confidence as riders develop a bond with the horse and navigate new skills. For D’Andrea, it’s yet another way to combine strength and wellness with her fitness lifestyle.