Mark Heimann
Powerlifting

Lifting

In graduate school, I took up lifting weights as a nice contrast to the abstract and cerebral nature of research. This eventually led me to the sport of powerlifting.

Mark Heimann deadlifting on a competition platform
Mark Heimann squatting at a USA Powerlifting meet

Competition

Full results on OpenPowerlifting
  • 2025
    Third at the California state championship
    By the bodyweight-adjusted strength formula used to rank powerlifters.
  • 2023
    Top 2% of raw, drug-tested male powerlifters worldwide
    Ranking of my competitive results as of 2023, according to the Open Powerlifting project.
  • 2022
    Two nationals down the hall from each other
    I competed in the USA Powerlifting open nationals simultaneously with the historic National Open chess tournament, coincidentally held down the hall.

I have qualified for the USA Powerlifting open division national championships multiple years. I am also a national referee and have refereed multiple state and national powerlifting championships.

I post about lifting and chess on Instagram at @theirongm.