This piece is presented by GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness.

This is not your typical powerlifting meet. On Saturday, June 10, GreatLIFE’s Performance Center will host a new, special meet called Lift for a Cause to benefit Special Olympics. We caught up with organizer Chris Arbach for a preview.

How did GreatLIFE come up with the idea for a meet like this?

 A few of us had tossed the idea around for a meet and finally decided we needed to stop talking and start doing. We’ve got quite a few people competing and volunteering, so it should be a great time.

How does the event work?

 The athletes will take three attempts at the bench press, the squat and the dead lift. All proceeds are being donated to the South Dakota Special Olympics.

Tell us a little about the growth of powerlifting in general. What kind of interest are you seeing? And can anyone learn to do it?

The thing I love about this particular meet is I’m seeing a lot of people who haven’t ever competed in powerlifting sign up for the event. We’re really generating a lot of interest in powerlifting as a whole. And yes, anyone can learn to powerlift. Its all about competing against yourself and trying to better your individual lifts.

If people would like to be part of the Special Olympics event or watch it, is there still time to participate?

We can use all the help we can get, so anyone is welcome to help out. Registration to compete, however, is closed. And spectators are more than welcome. The event starts at 9 a.m., Saturday, June 10, at the 69th and Southeastern GreatLIFE location.