By Zolene, Massage Therapist · July 5, 2026
Today I had the pleasure of spending the day at Gain Forth Powerlifting Club for their Max Out Showdown, a family fundraiser where members got the chance to test a one-rep max in front of a crowd who genuinely wanted to see them succeed. Muscle Mint was proud to sponsor the event, and I was there in person offering massage and recovery support between attempts.
- Gain Forth Powerlifting Club ran their Max Out Showdown as a family fundraiser on 5th July 2026
- Muscle Mint sponsored the event with product samples and prizes, alongside Avon Protein, Ghost Energy, and the Optimal App
- I was on site offering massage and recovery support to lifters between attempts
- For several members, this was their first time ever maxing out a lift in front of a crowd
- All entry fees go toward new equipment for the club's sessions
What Was the Gain Forth Max Out Showdown?
The Max Out Showdown is Gain Forth Powerlifting Club's in-house family fundraiser, open to everyone in the gym rather than just competitive powerlifters. Each lifter got three attempts per lift, with spotters and loaders on hand so all they had to focus on was the bar. Singlets, belts, and knee sleeves were welcome but not required, since this wasn't run as an official competition, just a chance to test yourself in front of people who wanted to see you do well. Every participant was automatically entered into a raffle, with family activities and food following the lifting.
All money raised from the £15 entry fee goes straight back into the Powerlifting Club, to fund more equipment for regular club sessions.
The Atmosphere on the Day
What struck me most was how genuinely supportive the room was. Lifters who'd never met each other were cheering just as loudly for a stranger's attempt as they were for their own training partners. For some of the members taking part, this was the very first time they had ever maxed out a lift in front of a crowd, and getting up and giving it everything like that takes real courage. The gym's own team put it well afterwards: they were proud of every single person who stepped up, first-timer or seasoned lifter alike.
That's the kind of atmosphere that makes an event like this worth sponsoring. It wasn't about chasing numbers, it was about a room full of people genuinely rooting for each other.
Muscle Mint's Role on the Day
We were glad to sponsor the Max Out Showdown with product samples and prizes for the winners, alongside fellow sponsors Avon Protein, Ghost Energy, and the Optimal App. Beyond the product table, I spent the day on site offering massage and recovery support between attempts, working on the same tight shoulders, hips, and lower backs I see in clinic every week, just with a lot more chalk dust involved.
Heavy singles put a real demand on the body in a short space of time, and having someone on hand to work through tightness before a next attempt, or help a lifter cool down properly afterwards, is something I think more of these events could benefit from. It was genuinely rewarding to be part of it.
How Muscle Mint Supports Powerlifting Recovery
Powerlifting puts a specific kind of demand on the body, short bursts of maximal effort on the squat, bench, and deadlift, often with limited rest between attempts. Harvard Health notes that a cooling sensation from a menthol product can genuinely distract from the feeling of tightness or ache in a worked muscle, since the body struggles to register more than one strong sensation in the same area at once. That's exactly why I recommend Muscle Mint's peppermint and eucalyptus lotion to lifters between sets, on tight shoulders before a bench attempt, or on hips and lower back after a heavy deadlift.
A cooling menthol lotion in a sunflower oil base, designed to aid relief for sore muscles and joints.
It's not a substitute for a proper warm-up, good technique, or listening to your body on a max attempt, but as one part of a between-set routine alongside gentle movement and hydration, it's a genuinely useful habit. It won't undo poor recovery, but it makes the wait between attempts a bit more comfortable.
Community and Sponsors
Events like this don't happen without a lot of people putting in the work behind the scenes. A big thank you to Emma for organising the competition, and to Brendan and Alana at Gain Forth for providing the facilities and making it all run smoothly. Alongside Muscle Mint, the day was also supported by Avon Protein, Ghost Energy, and the Optimal App, each contributing free products for everyone and prizes for winners.
If you're near Belfast and want to check out the club, Gain Forth Powerlifting Club trains out of Gain Forth Gym, and you can find them at gainforth.com or @gainforthbarbell on Instagram.
Photo Gallery
A few of the moments from the day, tap any photo to view it full size and swipe or click through the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a max out day in powerlifting?
A max out day is a chance to test your one-rep max on a lift, usually squat, bench, or deadlift, in a supportive, low-pressure setting rather than an official sanctioned competition.
How should powerlifters recover between attempts?
Gentle movement, hydration, and a cooling product on tight areas can all help you feel ready for your next attempt. None of these replace a proper warm-up or good technique.
Does Muscle Mint help with powerlifting recovery?
It won't change how your muscles repair, but the cooling tingle from Muscle Mint's peppermint and eucalyptus lotion is a genuinely useful comfort step between sets and after a session.
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Written by Zolene
Zolene is a massage therapist with over 15 years of clinical experience. She created Muscle Mint in Larne, Northern Ireland, for the minutes after effort.
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