[Jayhawkk]

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]

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]

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

[Beelzebub]

from what i've seen, most powerlifters don't know the first thing about diet. here's a shining example with the story of dave tate (very well known in the powerlifting community):
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=971737

and the followup:
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do...51590&pageNo=0

[motiv8erJR]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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)

[guyfromkop2]

matt kroczaleski - middlweight champ 225

[Beelzebub]

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

[guyfromkop2]

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

[guyfromkop2]

Originally Posted by Beelzebub

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]

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]

Originally Posted by Beelzebub

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]

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.