Power lifters and BF%

Jayhawkk

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I'm trying to figure out if there's a benefit to having a very high BF % in power lifting or if it's just easier for the big guys to get into that area of lifting?

I notice some pretty obese people power lifting and so much time and effort is put into lifting technique and proper lifting gear and wrapping joints etc, to maximize safety and minimize injury. But heavy lifting while supplemented(seems most take some form of PH or equivalent),and with a BF% that already puts you at a super high risk for all kinds of complications from back to heart. Why isn't there more people saying lose the excess fat and then bulk up a bit cleaner so to stay healthy?

Is it because we don't like calling people out or is there an actual benefit where with the increased strength and muscle makes the increased fat a much lesser health risk?
 
BigCasino

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I think you are more likely to get injured lifting super heavy weights if you are a very low body fat % lever, versus lifting the same weight at a higher bodyfat level. I think the fat helps cushion the bones, and even though we often think of fat as "jiggly", in some cases it might actually be providing stability. I agree with you that it causes numerous health problems though. I know that when I am making my way to new weight levels, sooner or later my blood pressure starts to rise. It goes back down once my body gets used to the new weight, or when I cut, but still someone my age (20) having to be on beta-blockers and ace inhibitors is a bit crazy
 
Jayhawkk

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Yeah, i'm really talking about the 25-30+%BF guys.
 
motiv8erJR

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Before Garry Frank put up his 2800 he was only eating around 4,000 calories.... and a lot of them where from Chocolate tacos.... :) once he got his nutrition straight, he added 400 lbs to his total... so there ya go.... did I mention he lowered his bf% but had to stay about the same weight, because his lifting gear wouldn't have fit as snug. Fat allows a Pl'er support from their suits and it cushions certain body parts and bones... :)


~Mk

ps. to bad I am a skinny ****er.... :)
 
Jayhawkk

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I was lookin at those vids Beelz and you guys are in the area that I think is the way to go as far as fat and such. Just seems I see more and more people lately who totally disregard the healthy part. Thanks for that story link. It says what I was thnking.
 
Beelzebub

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on MMI? there's a fair share of 'hefties' there as well but most have come to terms with hoping to live past 40 and have dropped down to the 308 class. i refuse to exceed 275 ever again.
 

Poobah

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Hope you didn't come up with this thread after watching my latest vids..

I having a hard time shedding pounds lately... I know about diet, but implementing it is another matter.

:(
 

guyfromkop2

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actually go to a powerlifting meet and tell me how many guys with high body fat you see, not too many that are under the 308 class. here is some pictures of the guys who won the wpo this year, they're far from fat

chuck vogelpohl - heavyweight(308)

 
Beelzebub

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there's always exceptions, just like marius ;) i'm sure jay is referring mostly to the superheavies with 30%+ bf.
 

guyfromkop2

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oleksandr kutcher - lightweight 185(this guy is a beast)

 

guyfromkop2

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there's always exceptions, just like marius ;) i'm sure jay is referring mostly to the superheavies with 30%+ bf.
.

well those guys are just walking houses, i'm 5'10 300+ and i saw mike miller at the arnold and he made me look like a dwarf
 
Beelzebub

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yeah, he's like 390lbs or so i believe. lattimer is in the low 400's. and that other squat guy was close to 500lbs if memory serves me correctly.
 

guyfromkop2

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yeah, he's like 390lbs or so i believe. lattimer is in the low 400's. and that other squat guy was close to 500lbs if memory serves me correctly.

miller is in the mid 400's. and the squat guy was jeff lewis, and he hit a 1212 squat at the arnold and ended up winning the heavyweights, he's like 550 something

 
Beelzebub

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fwiw, miller checked in at the nerb at 390lbs on the dot. ;)

yeah, jeff lewis, that's the guy. the squat is crazy and it's something i can't fathom feeling that much on my back, but to weigh 550lbs.......ridiculous.
 
Jayhawkk

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Nah, the pictures that you are showing are what I think of when it comes to power lifters. That last guy is an example of what I was posting about though. Using his current strength etc shouldn't be used as a reason for letting yourself get to that point. It's that mentality that ****s up BBr's. Eh, who cares what the future problems wil be when you're shredded to the bone now.

I think I got across what I was trying to say.
 

theragingbull

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Size Matters you have too eat big too be big,Thats it period
 
Jayhawkk

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Where does that say, in that statement, you have to eat like **** and put your health at risk in the process?
 

theragingbull

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You can eat big and still watch the fat intake I'm 6'5 265 pounds with a 10% bf with the help of my doctor I will reach
my goal of 300 pounds this year.And my health is great,Just
been to the doctor all vital signs are perfect.Everything is where it should be,So you do your diet and I will eat what I want.Remember SIZE MATTERS
 
Beelzebub

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RB (assuming you're the same),
that's an incredible feat; however, we're referring to the jeff lewis's of the sport. he's not 10% bf. hell, it'd be a compliment to say 40-50% bf. the squat is ridiculous but where is the line drawn? health has to have some consideration.
 
Jayhawkk

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Exactly, RB you're not even close to what i'm talking about. You guys are the bonus to the sport. Someone you can look at and want to attain. Hell watching Beelz is what got me wanting to actually pick up the PL routines. I wasn't trying to insult you guys.
 
Beelzebub

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hold up, let's solve something here first. theragingbull, are you the same as from MMI? i'm suspecting not.
 

theragingbull

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No never heard of MMI,When I grow up I want to be like Beelzebub !








Size Matters
 
Beelzebub

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lol, um ok. welcome to the board strange ragingbull ;)
 

theragingbull

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Thanks for the welcome,And keep eating and remember size
matters.I don't know about the rest of you but I got into
lifting too be big and you have too eat to get there.


Size Matters
 
Jayhawkk

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I'm not quite clear on what you're trying to say here...Something about remembering to rest and getting there by sizing your lifts?

You might want to clarify the intent of that message as it comes in pretty damn vague.
 

ktw

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All I want to know is these massively lean dudes at 208, even the guy at 225, is how much gear it takes to get that physique with those lift numbers.
 
Beelzebub

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Thanks for the welcome,And keep eating and remember size
matters.I don't know about the rest of you but I got into
lifting too be big and you have too eat to get there.


Size Matters
i don't believe anyone here is disputing that. of course you have to eat big to get big. but we also have calorie restrictions. eating big doesn't mean eating out of control. the subject of this thread is very clear - morbidly obese powerlifters and the health consequences of letting your bodyweight climb into the 400-500lbs range.
 

ktw

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I don't get the high bodyfat thing either, who cares how much you can lift when you're on the verge of dying and look like a guest from the Jerry Springer show.
 
Jayhawkk

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probably dependant on the time it took them to get there. I don't know enough about the sport to comment further but I wonder if there's a reason for the extra fat in power lifters on averafe or if the strict dieting to stay at some of those low levels are felt to be too restrictive.
 
Beelzebub

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All I want to know is these massively lean dudes at 208, even the guy at 225, is how much gear it takes to get that physique with those lift numbers.
blame genetics. gear helps but it ain't transforming anyone into a different bodytype.
 

ktw

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blame genetics. gear helps but it ain't transforming anyone into a different bodytype.
No, but it sure makes things a whole lot easier. Genetics or not, I'm sure some of those guys have fairly large drug regimens.
 
Beelzebub

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No, but it sure makes things a whole lot easier. Genetics or not, I'm sure some of those guys have fairly large drug regimens.
without a doubt. i've talked to a few with their cycles and some are absolutely ridiculous. but i've seen much worse with bodybuilders. guy at my gym is a national competitor in bb'ing and told me he takes anywhere from 1G-2G's per DAY, and he considers that small time to what the pros are taking.
 
Jayhawkk

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Extremes in anything as a bad thing. I've seen too many strong assed big guys to make me believe that with hard work and proper training you can't be a sight to behold and have a life expectancy that doesn't include a colostamy bag.
 
motiv8erJR

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lol, no. it ain't worth arguing. how about this disclaimer: based on my observations. ;)

is that your quote or author's? :)

sorry just got done reading his book about anabolics.... very interesting idea's.... :blink:

~Mk
 
Beelzebub

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i haven't read anything by him, so i can't comment. i've heard 'things' though.
 
Jayhawkk

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...i've heard 'things' though.
Whatever you heard it was because I was out of a job and needed the money. How did you hear about that anyways...I thought no one else was around excpet the clown and those bagpipes*shivers* I'll never forget those bagpipes.
 
BigCasino

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on MMI? there's a fair share of 'hefties' there as well but most have come to terms with hoping to live past 40 and have dropped down to the 308 class. i refuse to exceed 275 ever again.
Just curious Beelze, weren't you like 290lbs at one point? Do you not want to surpass 275 again because of the bf % you had at that weight, or it was just too rough on your joints / back, etc.
 

guyfromkop2

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I wonder if there's a reason for the extra fat in power lifters
because the big guys like to eat and not eat clean, plus they hate cardio. you dont see too many superheavy weights eating chicken and rice w/ broccli, it's more like a meat lovers pizza hut deep dish
 

guyfromkop2

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hold up, let's solve something here first. theragingbull, are you the same as from MMI? i'm suspecting not.
come on beelze, you should know better, 6'5 265 at 10%bf??? does that sound like the ragingbull we know?

plus where's the stay strong at the end :D
 
Jayhawkk

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I was just making sure that there wasn't some actual benefit. Wonder if there is an optimal % though. Like 12, 15,20...10? To power lifting?
 

guyfromkop2

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I was just making sure that there wasn't some actual benefit. Wonder if there is an optimal % though. Like 12, 15,20...10? To power lifting?
powerlifters dont count bf% :D

and i'm not just sounding like an ass here, ask any big time lifter and they will look at you like you're crazy. the only thing they worry about weight wise is what weight class they are going to compete in. most train ~15lbs above their weight class then cut down right around meet time. then carb up the day of the meet and go right back to where they were. plus normally with each weight class everyone is right around the same height. the higher the weight class the taller the guys get. just how it works.
 

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