Body Evolution in the Press - February 2, 2010

ST. CHARLES – Andrew Hedrich doesn’t have to brag to classmates that his dad is stronger than their dads.

The third-grader at Anderson Elementary in St. Charles can crow about his own strength exploits if he feels the urge.

Andrew, 8, and his father, Ken Hedrich, both set bench press records on Saturday at the Midwest Regional Single Lift Championships in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  The event is sponsored by the 100% Raw Powerlifting Federation.

Both father and son conquered their nerves for the competition.

“Power lifting is the only time I can think of in life where being very nervous helps,” said Ken Hedrich, 40.  “It makes you a little bit stronger.”

Competing in the masters competition for lifters ages 40-44, Ken, who weighs 165 pounds, bench-pressed 330 pounds for a 100% Raw national record.  Andrew, meanwhile, one-upped his dad, establishing a 100% Raw world record by benching 571⁄2 pounds in the 66-pound division.

Andrew, who weighs just 56 pounds, said his fellow third-graders were initially skeptical about his achievement.

“They didn’t believe me until I showed them the pictures,” Andrew said.

Andrew entered his first weightlifting competition at age 4, and has trained regularly throughout his childhood.  Ken Hedrich said it is a misconception that it is unsafe for young children to weight train, contending that it is “arguably one of the safest sports for them to be involved with,” provided they are supervised by a professional.

Andrew’s father qualifies.  Ken is an exercise physiologist at Body Evolution, a personal training company located in the Charlestowne Convenient Care building in St. Charles.  Ken said he has lifted weights for 30 years.  His son has started early enough to one day match that dedication.

“I try not to be militant about his training,” Ken said of Andrew. “I take a laid-back approach but he naturally gravitates to wanting to lift because he’s seen me do it.”

In 2005, Ken won a televised contest to be named the “Fittest Man in Chicagoland.” That competition involved long distance running, pull-ups and other fitness tests, in addition to weightlifting.

“I’m one of the few guys out there that really works at being well-rounded, anywhere from running 5K races all the way to heavy bench-pressing,” said Ken, who acknowledges that his small stature – he stands 5-foot-3 – is a weightlifting asset.

Ken started Body Evolution out of his home 15 years ago before shifting to the Foxfield Drive location about four years ago.  Power lifting isn’t central to strategies used with clients, but there is still a connection, he said.

“It’s a way we can demonstrate to our clients that we stay fit – essentially put our money where our mouth is,” Ken said.

Andrew said his goal is to work his way toward bench-pressing 100 pounds, and he can envision one day instructing others how to lift.

“I want to learn it because it makes me strong and healthy, and helps me live a long life,” Andrew said.

And it sounds as if he will have many more chances to compete alongside his father.

“As long as I’ve got a pulse, I’m going to compete,” Ken said.

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