Heavy Dreams: Long Island Powerlifter Aims For 700 Pound Deadlift

By Luke Paolillo 

Photo from Instagram @gabeborgese_ 

NEW YORK - At Art of Strength in Deer Park, on a typical afternoon, you could hear the clanging of metal and the loud bangs of weight being lifted and then dropped back down, forging the soundtrack to Gabe Borgese's lifting routine. Borgese first started powerlifting just a few years ago in September of 2023, and he has changed from a casual interest in lifting heavy to now being a competitor at some of the highest levels.  

In Borgese's mind, it was perfect and simple. He always wanted to be strong, and he genuinely thinks it's fun being able to lift heavy weights. This kind of mindset is what crafted Borgese's current schedule, as he balances work and school with days of heavy lifting. He wants to do Powerlifting, so he “makes the time for it,” as his interview explains, also talking about how the sport is a big part of his personal and social life now.  

Borgese has a set routine he follows in the weeks leading up to the meet. Two weeks before, he will lift very heavy and push himself hard to try and maximize his strength, but the week of the meet, he takes it light, goes easy on his body, and gives his body time to rest and recover. This kind of routine worked well for Borgese for his last meet, where he benched 260 pounds, squatted 550, and deadlifted 584 at a body weight of 240 pounds. 

Besides the numbers Borgese puts up, he also talks about the closeness of the powerlifting community, on Long Island, as another key reason he stays disciplined and committed. Borgese says, “it's pretty tight nit, and everyone kind of knows each other.”  He also tells us how even though not everyone hangs out outside of lifting, they all support each other and offer advice when needed, often between attempts on heavy lifts. Borgese believes powerlifting has grown more popular over the recent years because it's very welcoming to beginners. Beginners Of Power Lifting   Although bodybuilding is typically more mainstream, it takes years of strict training to form a stage-ready physique.  

Mentoring Borgese through this powerlifting journey is his coach of three years, Josh. Borgese says he is not just a coach but also his friend. He also looks up to an elite lifter, Ashton Rouska, who won at the IPF (International Powerlifting Federation) national event. Competing in Power Lifting 

Borgese now has clear goals set before the new year. He aims to be able to squat 650 pounds and a deadlift of 705 pounds. These would be milestones for him and push him into a higher tier in his weight class on Long Island. For someone who only started powerlifting training 3 years ago, Borgese's goals are not just dreams, they are targets he will take down.