Becky Lane of Fairfax County Sets National Powerlifting Deadlift Record at 75

Becky Lane, who had just recovered from surgery in February of 2021, began strength training at a gym. However, it was very basic.

She has always been a runner but had to give it up within the past year. This left her wanting to do something else that would satisfy her need to exercise.

A friend had encouraged her earlier this year to think about powerlifting. She refused to give in until that same friend challenged her to compete in a powerlifting contest.

On Valentine’s Day, three weeks later in Pennsylvania, Lane set a new national record for deadlifting, pulling 140 pounds during the qualifying event. Lane, 75, will compete in the U.S. Powerlifting Association’s Ultra Nationals 2026 competition in California in May.

You can improve yourself

Lane, speaking to WTOP, said that “too often people who receive bad news about a medical condition just give up.” “But if they allow that news to build them up, then they can be anything they want to be,” Lane told WTOP.

Lane works out with Pete Gallelli, who is the head trainer of the YMCA Reston. Gallelli says the pair first met four years ago. Strength training became more important when Lane’s arthritis and ageing joints, as well as her spine surgery, caused some limitations.

“Don’t let life, don’t let arthritis, don’t let age, don’t let injuries limit your success,” Gallelli said. “You can do amazing things. Becky may be… strong but she is not Superwoman. She’s the same as many people at this gym, and I believe if you set your mind to something you can achieve it. You can improve yourself.”

Lane concentrates on weights for three days per week and cardio, abdominals, and stretching the other three.

Lane recalled that her husband was a runner for Georgetown University and that she had run her first race. He encouraged her to enjoy herself. She was more focused on winning than having fun.

Focus on ‘bringing out the best’

Lane described herself as mature rather than aged because “I dislike the word aged so I am mature and smaller.”

This means that her weight is lighter than women of other age groups. The competitions are based on weight and age.

Lane encourages anyone she is with to not tell her the weight being added. This helps her to overcome the mental side of the exercise. In Pennsylvania, the approach worked.

Lane stated, “We strive to be the best we can possibly be.” “I’m now trying to be the best at what I do.”

She also works with a non-profit that has created a “group of thought leaders” who meet to discuss safety and security. The competitive nature of powerlifting has an additional benefit.

“Becky can see a natural spillover to that. When I meet my clients, they say, “When I lift weights, I am better at my work.” I can think more clearly. Gallelli replied, “I can organize myself better.

Lane will compete in the YMCA Reston Powerlifting Meet Saturday morning. The competitors range in age between 14 and 83. The YMCA will use the donations to support its annual Send a Kid to Camp program.

Lane: “I am always nervous before any kind of meet.” “I’m not going to sleep, most likely.”

Local news Fairfax County Times was the first to report Lane’s record.

Email Fairfax County Supervisors At:
Jeff McKay → chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov,
Kathy Smith (Sully District) sully@fairfaxcounty.gov,
Rachna Heizer (Braddock District) braddock@fairfaxcounty.gov,
James Bierman (Dranesville District) dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov,
Rodney Lusk (Franconia District) franconia@fairfaxcounty.gov,
Walter Alcorn (Hunter Mill District) huntermill@fairfaxcounty.gov,
Andres Jimenez (Mason District) mason@fairfaxcounty.gov,
Daniel Storck (Mount Vernon District)  mtvernon@fairfaxcounty.gov,
Dalia Palchik (Providence District)  providence@fairfaxcounty.gov,
Pat Herrity (Springfield District) springfield@fairfaxcounty.gov,

 

To Contact Fairfax School Board Members:
All Members - FairfaxCountySchoolBoard@fcps.edu,
Tom Dannan - tfdannan@fcps.edu, 
Robyn Lady - ralady1@fcps.edu,
Marcia St. John-Cunning -  mstjohncunni@fcps.edu,
Melanie Meren - HunterMillStaff@fcps.edu,
Ricardy Anderson - randerson@fcps.edu,
Mateo Dunne - mdunne@fcps.edu,
Karl Frisch - kfrisch@fcps.edu,
Sandy Anderson - sanderson@fcps.edu,
Seema Dixit - sdixit@fcps.edu,
Kyle McDaniel - kmcdaniel@fcps.edu,
Ryan McElveen - rlmcelveen@fcps.edu,
Ilryong Moon - imoon@fcps.edu,