POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A women’s powerlifting group in Polk County will compete nationally after only a few years of training. 

Queenz of Power’s head trainer Ayecia White said this all started with her weight loss journey. 

“I lost 85 pounds on my own and then I got tired of getting on the treadmill. I couldn’t run every day,” said White. “I needed something new.”

White started a fitness group with several women who also had big weight loss goals. From there she formed her powerlifting team. 

“I was voluntold,” laughed Alexis Lewis. “I had joined her 30-day weight loss program and toward the end, she asked if I wanted to be in a powerlifting group. When I checked Facebook the next day she had posted that we were a team.” 

Four years later, the Queenz of Power will compete at a national level. They will head to South Florida this week and New England next year. 

“The thing I like the most about it is that I can be competitive year-round,” White said.  “You can always give me something to work towards. You can always go against yourself. You’re competing against other people but you’re also competing against yourself because you want to do better than you did last time.” 

These are goals her teammates share as well. There are currently 8 women on the team, ages ranging from 19-36. 

“I would say my favorite thing is the looks from everyone else, especially seeing women lift over 300 pounds,” said Lewis. 

Queenz of Power’s focus is on squats, bench press, and deadlifts. They meet up five times a week to perfect their craft. 

“My motivation is my girls,” Angela Williams expressed. “I have twin girls that are 8, so for them to be able to see a woman fit and strong and know that is ok, that’s enough for me because society tells women we’re not supposed to be. For them to see their mom and other women of color doing that and know it’s ok, that’s all the reward I need out of it.” 

Queenz of Power are the only women of color from Florida competing on a national level for powerlifting.