Natural Bodybuilding Tribute Video

Anthony from http://www.simplyshredded.com has been a big supporter of natural bodybuilding and doing a lot for the sport recently in terms of coverage. Check out the awesome new tribute video he put together for Natural Bodybuilding. I have a few shots in it. Unfortunately most of me in the offseason haha!

Hope you guys enjoy!

The new episode is up on bodybuilding.com!

I know many of you have been anxiously awaiting the return of my series on bodybuilding.com. Well the new episode is finally up, and my video editor has absolutely outdone himself. Not only is it some of the best footage to date, it is also some of the most hardcore training, with badass music from my friends in Chimaira.

The footage for episode 1 is from way back in august but the next 6 episodes will cover my training and my last 2 meets: The APA Indiana Power and the AAPF Illinois Raw Power Challenge! This is the best episode of the series yet!

http://videos.bodybuilding.com/watch/42261/layne-nortons-powerlifting-episode-1-new-perspectives




Be sure also to check out more of Chimaira's music at http://www.chimaira.com

700 lb raw deadlift falls!

As some of you may know, this past weekend I competed in the AAPF Illinois Raw Power Challenge in Willowbrook, IL. It drew a pretty good number of lifters for a raw only meet at well over 50 I believe and there was a lot of big raw lifts going down! I had a good day hitting a 567.5 lb squat, a 331 lb bench press, and a 700 lb deadlift! I went for 711 on my third attempt but I was just too gassed out and could not lock my hips through. I probably would have also gone for more on bench press but it was very cold in the building (probably in the 50s) and several people got injured that day so I decided not to chance it and did not take a third attempt on bench press. I ended up with a 1598 total which was good enough to win my weight class. My squat and deadlift were both the highest in the 220 lb class. I was extremely excited to accomplish my goal considering this time last year I had not even begun to deadlift again after my pec tear surgery! As cheezy as it sounds, it goes to show that when you write your goals down, work hard, and truly believe in yourself, it's amazing what is possible.



-Layne

Congratulations to new IFBB Figure PRO Ava Cowan

Typically I do not single out clients for individual achievements because I like the group atmosphere, however I do have to point out Ava Cowan's recent achievement. I could probably sit here and write a hundred pages on the challenges Ava has faced during this contest prep alone. She rose to the challenge and hit her all time best through hard work and just down right stubbornness and determination. After being away from the NPC for several years, she stormed back to win the overall at the NPC Eastern USAs and the following week won her class at nationals to claim her IFBB pro card. She is a perfect example of what can happen when fantastic work ethic and determination is combined with great genetics and structure. I have no doubt we'll be hearing much more from her in the future. Congratulations Ava, you are a champion!

Team Norton at the 2009 OCB Midwest States

Well for the 5th year running Team Norton invaded the midwest states with 4 competitors and an even greater # of supporters in tow. Paul Revelia, Eleanora Reeves, Nicole Lindblad, and Joe Ronk took to the stage and absolutely rocked it. All in all we ended up with 4 class wins and a novice overall victory. Though Team Norton had taken home 3 pro cards in the past 2 years at the midwest states we didn't walk away with any this time, but the overall winners looked great and did a fantastic job. We also got to see the Scivation clan as Marc Lobliner's brother Aaron was competing. Aaron looked fantastic and was runner up in a very competitive tall class to Paul. Aaron definitely has a bright future if he chooses to continue competing. As always Ray Binkowski put on a first rate show and we had a blast.

Thus ends the competitive season. Our Team walked away with 3 pro wins, 13 pro cards, 25 overall victories, and too many class victories to count. I'm proud of all of the Team as without you all, we would be nothing. Thank you for your hard work! I have no doubt next year will blow this year away!

-Layne

Big ups to Ava Cowan

Wanted to take a minute to give a big congratulations to Ava Cowan. Ava and I have been working together for just a bit less than a year and she's really made a ton of progress as well as overcome a ton of obstacles. This past weekend she won the overall at the NPC Eastern USA's. Unfortunately I could not be there to see it as I had to attend a wedding but my lovely wife Isabel flew out to NYC to be Ava's side kick for the weekend. They both had a great time and Ava did fantastic. She will be doing NPC Nationals this weekend with the hopes of earning her IFBB Pro Card. Here are some pictures from the show.





I'd also like to extend a big congratulations to Scott Kluth & Steve Lamper. Stave has been working with me over a year and Scott has worked with me over 2 years! They have made tremendous progress. Scott won his WNBF pro card, then won the overall at the NPC Ironman in Washington, and then placed 7th this past weekend at the WNBF worlds in a freaking stacked MW class. I think Scott has a bright future and will only continue to improve, he must have some of the freakiest hamstrings known to man. Steve placed third in his show out of 12 (behind Mike Lindberg who placed 2nd and also worked with me); but he was ripped to the bone and with a little more size, he will be a big threat in his next series of shows. Very happy to see people I have been working with for a long period of time do so well, it's very gratifying and one of the reasons that I absolutely have the best job in the world. Thanks guys. Let's keep the hits coming!

-Layne

Deadlift Training 11-10-2009

Video from tonight's deadlift training session using reverse band technique. I had a huge blister on my finger and my neck has been so sore I could hardly look up; but screw that... it was deadlift training and I'll be damned if I'm missing that.

Enjoy