“Wear A Pad”: Swedish Powerlifter’s UI During Win Sparks Online Debate Over Gym Etiquette

For the uninitiated, it might seem strange. Or gross. Depending on your age, body, and life experience. Urinary incontinence—UI for short—is when you can’t control your bladder. And it’s not an uncommon occurrence for female athletes, especially powerlifters. 

A recent video of a champion powerlifter from Sweden experiencing UI has prompted an online debate on the topic.

Most people in the sport say it’s quite normal, and isn’t really that big of a deal.

Alba Boström from Sweden won first place in the 63kg class   

Female powerlifter wearing Swedish singlet smiling in gym, related to viral video of woman urinating during powerlifting competition.

Image credits: albabostrm / Instagram

Woman powerlifter flexing muscles in white sports bra and black shorts against plain wall, showcasing strength and fitness.

Image credits: albabostrm / Instagram

It’s not the first video of a female powerlifter experiencing UI during a competition. But a recent example is of champion Alba Boström from Sweden, who came in first place in the 63kg class at the World Classic Powerlifting Championship 2025 that just took place in Germany.

According to her social media page, Boström has been “a top ranked powerlifter for the last couple of years and works full time as an Online Coach.”

Female powerlifter wearing wrist wraps and headphones, preparing mentally before a competition performance.

Image credits: albabostrm / Instagram

In videos of Boström performing a deadlift at the competition, it’s clear she is experiencing UI. In the video, Boström does not seem to notice, nor does anyone else in the arena. 

UI in powerlifting, and many other sports, is quite common, according to doctors and experts.   

Research finds 75% of female powerlifters experience SUI while deadlifting

Woman powerlifting in competition wearing blue and yellow outfit, lifting heavy barbell on stage with Visit Malta backdrop.

Image credits: estendenciaenx / X

In 2018, the American College of Sports Medicine conducted an anonymous survey on the matter to determine “trends related to SUI in female powerlifters who do not otherwise have risk factors for or symptoms of SUI in their daily lives.”

The study defines SUI, or “stress urinary incontinence,” as: “involuntary leakage from the urethra, synchronous with exertion/effort, coughing or sneezing.”

Alba Bostrom of Sweden deadlifts 227.5kg, raw, in the 63kg weight class at the 2025 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships. pic.twitter.com/EybM2CpDrn

— Modern History 𝕏 (@modernhistory) June 14, 2025

Comment saying Put the pampers next time in response to viral video of woman urinating while powerlifting in competition dividing the internet.

Comment discussing a woman urinating during a powerlifting competition that sparked viral video debate online.

Comment on viral video of woman urinating while powerlifting in competition sparking online debate.

The study asked a sample of female powerlifters between the ages of 18-35 with no prior history of bladder-related issues how often they experienced SUI.

The study found that almost 75 percent of participants said that they have experienced SUI while training, with the deadlift being the number one time when it happens, followed by squats.

Woman powerlifting during competition, lifting heavy barbell, moment from viral video sparking internet debate on unusual incident.

Image credits: estendenciaenx / X

The study found that only 35 percent of those polled reported that their symptoms caused them anxiety. In short, no one cares, and the public shouldn’t either.

“We are a family”: Other female powerlifters weighed in on the topic

Woman powerlifter drinking from shaker bottle with electrolytes, preparing for training and competition.

Image credits: albabostrm / Instagram

Female powerlifter flexing muscles in gym with barbell, related to viral video of woman urinating during competition.

Image credits: albabostrm / Instagram

Cristina Rigden, a powerlifter from Herne Bay in Kent, England has been lifting competitively for over two years. “I started lifting because I was told I would never walk without sticks or crutches and I wasn’t having it. Menopause also played a role in why I started lifting,” Rigden told Bored Panda.

She says once she started lifting more than 120 kilos, she began experiencing UI while doing squats and deadlifts. But at her gym, no one batts an eye when it happens.

Woman powerlifting in gym wearing orange shirt and pink leggings, preparing to lift Eleiko barbell weights.

Image credits: albabostrm / Instagram

Comment on social media post by Deborah Melum Hansen supporting a woman powerlifting while urinating during competition.

Comment praising a woman powerlifter who went viral in a video during competition, calling her amazing and a champ.

Facebook comment praising a woman powerlifter overcoming a medical condition during a viral powerlifting competition.

“During training no one at my gym cares, I am part of an exclusive gym and we are a family,” she said. 

Still, Rigden says, stigma exists. “During competition I personally wear a pad because in competition to a lot of women (not so much men) it’s not acceptable,” she said. 

But, she countered that “people really need to get over themselves about it.”

“A little urine is somehow bad?”: Rigden says sometimes accidents happen

Woman powerlifting in competition, preparing to lift a heavy barbell on her shoulders during the event.

Image credits: albabostrm / Instagram

Woman powerlifting in competition with coaches nearby, lifting a heavy barbell amid event lighting and spectators.

Image credits: bepositivewithchrissy / Instagram

Rigden says that sometimes, even though she wears a pad, accidents still happen. “It happens often when training and sometimes can escape the pad I am wearing,” she told Bored Panda.

She clarified that if you have a female body, with age and pregnancies, and if you’re a weightlifter, you will likely experience UI at some point.

“People don’t seem to be able to grasp that especially after a certain age and child birth our bodies can only clench so many muscles,” she said.

 

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A post shared by Christina Rigden (@bepositivewithchrissy)

And when it comes to men powerlifters? Rigden was quick to point out the hypocrisy that exists: “Men can have nose bleeds, and defecate, but a little urine is somehow bad?” 

Ultimately, Rigden concludes, to all those who criticize female powerlifters over a little dribble of pee-pee: “I say get over yourself and concentrate on what needs changing in your own life.”

There was no shortage of bathroom humor and 10-year-old boy jokes from netizens

People reacted with surprise and curiosity. “Why do powerlifters pee when lifting heavy?” one person asked.

Other people inferred that it shouldn’t have happened: “Lift or pee. Or do both.” 

One armchair expert had a suggestion for the champion powerlifter: “She needs to work more on her bladder control.”

Commenters online represented the breadth of the uneducated

Tweet about woman urinating during powerlifting competition sparking debate and dividing opinions online.

Tweet explaining that mild incontinence is common in women, often caused by abdominal pressure during activities like sneezing or powerlifting.

Tweet by Lula with a comment about pelvic floor issues related to a viral video of woman urinating while powerlifting in competition.

Tweet about letting out a droplet while sneezing compared to lifting 200 kilos, related to viral powerlifting video.

Tweet discussing a viral video of a woman urinating during a powerlifting competition, sparking internet debate.

Screenshot of a tweet referencing a viral video of woman urinating while powerlifting during competition humorously.

Tweet discussing a viral video of a woman urinating while powerlifting 200 kilos, sparking debate online.

Tweet discussing female urethra anatomy and powerlifting, referencing viral video of woman urinating during competition.

Tweet discussing a weak pelvic floor related to woman urinating during powerlifting competition, sparking online debate.

Screenshot of a tweet expressing concerns about health effects of powerlifting after viral video of woman urinating during competition.

Tweet discussing if using a feminine pad is normal, related to viral video of woman urinating while powerlifting competition.

Screenshot of a Twitter post praising a powerlifting woman, reacting to a viral video of a woman urinating during competition.

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