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 hands on work 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 hands on work 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 hands on work 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.
Where a Cooling Cream Fits Between Attempts
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 why plenty of lifters reached for it between sets, and again once their last lift of the day was done. I'd keep it off your hands and your back before an attempt though, because chalk and a slippery cream don't mix.
Muscle Mint is a peppermint and eucalyptus menthol cream in a sunflower oil base, made in Northern Ireland, UK. It creates a strong, temporary cooling tingle on the skin.
It's not a substitute for a proper warm-up, good technique, or listening to your body on a max attempt. As one part of a between-set routine alongside gentle movement and hydration, it's a pleasant full stop. 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.
Related Reading
Frequently asked questions
What is a max out day in powerlifting?
How should powerlifters recover between attempts?
What does Muscle Mint actually do between attempts?
Written by Zolene
Zolene is a massage therapist with more than fifteen years of hands-on experience. She created Muscle Mint in Northern Ireland, UK, for the minutes after effort.
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