{"id":25833,"date":"2026-07-29T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=25833"},"modified":"2026-07-29T15:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T15:00:00","slug":"jd3-fitness-celebrates-10-year-anniversary-with-high-octane-powerlifting-showcase-in-safford","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=25833","title":{"rendered":"JD3 Fitness Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary with High-Octane Powerlifting Showcase in Safford"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

By Jon Johnson<\/strong><\/p>\n

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

SAFFORD<\/strong> \u2014 Heavy iron, an enthusiastic crowd, and raw determination filled the air at JD3 Fitness<\/a> Safford on Saturday, July 11, as the local facility celebrated its landmark 10-year anniversary by hosting its annual summer Powerlifting Competition.<\/p>\n

Marking the third time the event has been held at the Safford gym location \u2014 and the seventh iteration overall across the gym\u2019s history \u2014 this year\u2019s contest brought together 15 local powerlifters to test their physical limits across the squat, bench press, and deadlift.<\/p>\n

Co-owner Josh Patton, who operates JD3 Fitness alongside his wife and business partner, Kelly Patton, reflected on how far the competition has grown since its humble beginnings.<\/p>\n

\n
\n


\n
\n <\/a>
\n <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cWe are on our 10-year anniversary. Powerlifting is something we started about a year or two into it,\u201d Josh Patton said. \u201cWe had 15 competitors to start with \u2014 seven on the very first one \u2014 so it\u2019s really grown. We look forward to it every year. It\u2019s amazing seeing these athletes come out and actually pursue what they\u2019re trying to do and test it against everybody, seeing the real emotions. It\u2019s fun watching them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite some pre-event nerves with Kelly away during the action, Josh praised the smooth operation and safety of the day\u2019s lifts.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been running pretty smooth. No injuries\u2014only one baby!\u201d Patton joked. \u201cThat\u2019s always our biggest concern: lifters\u2019 safety and spotters\u2019. We follow the powerlifting rules that are all across Arizona when it comes to equipment and rules\u2026 so these guys know what to train for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n