Article: Powerlifting Vs Bodybuilding
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sanguine
New member
"Most powerlifters are clinically obese (with no muscle definition), perpetually injured, and, astonishingly, only marginally developed by bodybuilding standards."
i think you will be e-lynched for this sentence right here, and well deserve it
Many people are more interested in performance rather than pretty biceps
i think you will be e-lynched for this sentence right here, and well deserve it
Many people are more interested in performance rather than pretty biceps
Matthersby
Well-known member
In simply for the wrath of PL'ers
fueledpassion
Well-known member
Powerlifting is a competitive numbers game and is fun, good for overall size development and is practical for most men that don't have time to cook so many meals, practice posing, etc.
But bodybuilding is an art and the body is the clay. The goal is different and so you know, the biceps are of least concern to most bodybuilders. Legs, back and chest are usually the big three. While acute strength isn't as impressive in bodybuilding, the overall amount of work performed is.
And his quote, while not tactful at all, is true. The majority of powerlifters are above 20% BF and some even closer to 30% depending on which weight class you are looking at. I have respect for them regardless because my old boss and friend was a powerlifter and he got me into weight-lifting. He was 300lbs and could out perform many, many bodybuilders in the room at any type of lift for any duration, yet, he was still obese.
But bodybuilding is an art and the body is the clay. The goal is different and so you know, the biceps are of least concern to most bodybuilders. Legs, back and chest are usually the big three. While acute strength isn't as impressive in bodybuilding, the overall amount of work performed is.
And his quote, while not tactful at all, is true. The majority of powerlifters are above 20% BF and some even closer to 30% depending on which weight class you are looking at. I have respect for them regardless because my old boss and friend was a powerlifter and he got me into weight-lifting. He was 300lbs and could out perform many, many bodybuilders in the room at any type of lift for any duration, yet, he was still obese.
jbryand101b
Banned
Performance is defined by ones sport.
Developing the muscles to look magnificent for show is a body builders performance.
jbryand101b
Banned
Unfortunately the data based science behind the differences in hypertrophy training and strength training are real.
sanguine
New member
Hmm, I see it differently. I see performance as being a physical phenomenon, not a subjective aesthetic. And lifting a high volume of lighter weights can be a useful training tool, but it will never be as physically and neurologically challenging as lifting a bigger weight a smaller number of times.
sanguine
New member
And for what its worth, I workout at the University of Georgia weightroom, and the kids that are clearly into Westside-style powerlifting
A) are the most jacked
B) lift the most weight
C) do it with the best form.
So I cant really speak to the "all powerlifters are obese thing" I think it its largely the other way around: strong obese people are more likely to become powerlifters, rather than powerlifting making one become obese...see the difference?
lamonster14
Member
And what of the raw powerlifters at the top of the game? Stan efferding,Dan green? Obese;I think not.
Pete rubish,mark bell, Sam Byrd, Eric lillebridge, Chris hickson-to name a few more.
Ben seath just did a bodybuilding show, I bet he didn't get his quads and hams from extensions and curls
Pete rubish,mark bell, Sam Byrd, Eric lillebridge, Chris hickson-to name a few more.
Ben seath just did a bodybuilding show, I bet he didn't get his quads and hams from extensions and curls
compudog
Well-known member
Whoah, bias much? Being strong is a noble goal in itself; it leads to better health and longevity, and benefits the individual and everyone around them along the way. Being pretty on the other hand is just narcissistic. So how do you justify your bias? Personally I could care less about having a 20" arm. As long as that arm can lift a kid or rescue a stranger from a burning building I'm happy with it.
jbryand101b
Banned
he said most, not all, or the few ellite.
no he got them from steroids, and proper diet, training, an sleep.
jbryand101b
Banned
that is why you are not a body builder.
the author clearly states the differences between the two sports. posing on stage is not easy. if you are not in the best shape, you are either going to look seriously out of shape (an most likely will look like shiit as well) or are going to pass out from being out of breath.
if you don't really understand the sport of bodybuilding, you really shouldn't comment.
the point of this article is to get those interesting in bodybuilding back on point, as we all get caught up in wanting to be strong and big (set in our own minds).
the training styles are different. this can be argued for days. either you agree or don't. if you do, this article is a wake up call.
if you don't, then you'll most likely bitch about it.
It isn't a, " why powerlifters w/e" article.
napalm
Well-known member
Stupidest fcking bunch of words I've ever read. I can't even call it an article.
I just lifted in the WPC worlds in Prague, the 'clinically obese' lifters were the minority as far as physiques go.
The days of the fat Powerlifter have been over for quite a few years now. We are in fact putting more emphasis on conditioning now than ever.
Clearly no research was done prior to assembling this piece of shyt...
I just lifted in the WPC worlds in Prague, the 'clinically obese' lifters were the minority as far as physiques go.
The days of the fat Powerlifter have been over for quite a few years now. We are in fact putting more emphasis on conditioning now than ever.
Clearly no research was done prior to assembling this piece of shyt...
napalm
Well-known member
It's quite obvious to me the author doesn't really understand, or is up to date on current pl training methodologies.
He really shouldn't be spewing such nonsense...
rob112
Well-known member
Obviously doesn't know the difference between a raw lifter and a lifter in gear trying to get perfect leverage.
This article blows and is outdated. Most raw power lifters understand they will be most competitive in a weight class where they hold the most muscle mass...not the most fat.
Different sports are different.
This article blows and is outdated. Most raw power lifters understand they will be most competitive in a weight class where they hold the most muscle mass...not the most fat.
Different sports are different.
lamonster14
Member
I was going to mention the geared /raw thing
Thank you for hitting the nail on the head
compudog
Well-known member
No kidding, clearly it's just an off the cuff slam at pl. Fact is anybody with a BMI over 30 is "clinically obese", which would include every single (male) person who's ever set foot on the Olympia stage.
napalm
Well-known member
smoker145
Guest
Dan green and the Kroc are so fat and obese looking its disgusting....
fueledpassion
Well-known member
Clearly, you haven't performed 65-70% of your 1RM @ 15-25 reps on squats. Do that and you'll likely never make that statement above ever again...
fueledpassion
Well-known member
well spoken man. If they gave awards for post of the month, you'd get it for this one.
fueledpassion
Well-known member
Refer back to post #12 to get clarity. This article wasn't meant for powerlifters anyways.
fueledpassion
Well-known member
Except that the BMI test clearly footnotes that it isn't accurate for those who have rigourous and regular training of any type. BMI can't be used to measure anyone with any above average level of activity.
napalm
Well-known member
But it is used everyday to determine exactly what you are saying it can't be used for.
<----had to get nutritional and exercise counseling from my pcp because my bmi was >30
I've forgotten more about nutrition and training than 99% of clinicians who use bmi in their practice.
fueledpassion
Well-known member
I cant comment on what ur experiencing. Every time a doc or nurse calculated my BMI they always told me that they wouldnt have any regard for it because I was lean and it didnt matter. This is also why many clinics will also take BF measurements. The two together are telling, imo but one or the other is pretty worthless.
smoker145
Guest
Powerlifters goal is to move the maximum amount of poundage regardless of form"
Lmao you fycking srs?
Lmao you fycking srs?
fueledpassion
Well-known member
That should be reworded to "Powerlifters goal is to move the maximum amount of poundage using the most efficient form" or just " to move the max amount of poundage" would have worked too.
From my understanding, form in powerlifting is everything because the form determines the capability of the lifter. I've seen guys with raw power and crappy form lift alot of weight, but then I've seen guys much smaller, with impeccable form lift as much weight, too.
Bodybuilding isn't about the most efficient form, it is really about targeting muscles so the form is usually modified in subtle ways to do so. This is one reason bodybuilding lifts are generally lighter to begin with since the form isn't appropriate for max effort lifts.
CincyKiller45
Well-known member
Lol at this article. Ridiculous.
CincyKiller45
Well-known member
fueledpassion said:
I've ran the cube method by Brandon Lilly (Powerlifter). The program had me do 1 set of 50 on Olympic squats. Do that statement above and you'll never question if a PL'er incorporates volume again...
Ironwill42
New member
Just lift.
fueledpassion
Well-known member
U were the one that made the statement that lower reps higher weight was more demanding than the other and somehow coming back with 1 set of 50 as a point to show the difficulty in heavy weight-lifting isnt ringing a bell. Besides, u'd have to go way below 50% of ur 1RM to pull off 50 reps. That isnt really a bodybuilding style as much as an aerobic/endurance training.
I think I speak for most folks that do regular training of each type that the higher intensity nature of bodybuilding style will tax both the aerobic and anaerobic systems as compared to strength training which dabbles mainly in anaerobic training. Its simply easier to do 3 reps of 90% and rest for 3 minutes than to do 15 reps of 70% and only rest for 90 seconds.
smoker145
Guest
Look you can argue for bodybuilding and that's cool. But when it comes down to it, I'd like to show off my strength the day I step on the platform and be at my strongest, than be at my weakest like bodybuilders.
CincyKiller45
Well-known member
fueledpassion said:
I never said that, lol. And I don't think lower reps higher weight is less demanding. It's just different. Max out on squat, bench, and deadlift on the same day and tell me how little demanding it was.
I brought up the 50 rep set to disprove the stigma that powerlifters only lift low reps. My accessory exercises are usually always in the upper rep ranges.
I have nothing against BB'ers. We're all brothers in iron and I respect the discipline it takes to get to single digit BF levels. I just think this article is dishonest and borderline disrespectful.
mrgoodbar0
New member
This is an ignorant piece simply written to spur site traffic, no one believes it.
napalm
Well-known member
"...bodybuilding is men on a stage in their underwear wearing brown paint showing other men their muscles. It is training for appearance only, and at the contest level requires a degree of vanity, narcissism and self absorption that I find distasteful and odd"
-Mark Rippetoe...
-Mark Rippetoe...
fueledpassion
Well-known member
You have to try it before understanding it. I dont go up there narcissistic about it. I go up there competitively just like every one else. Its about sculpting and quite honestly, ur right it isnt a sport. It is an art. I can show u exact parallels of bodybuilding and painting or clay/sculpting. The competition is just like an art gallery or showcase. Yet, we get criticized by powerlifters because we have the genetics and confidence and security to do something that they may not. Not everyone can say they have those qualities and typical of americans we tend to tear down those that have what we dont. If it was really just about PL'ers not wanting to do bodybuilding then why the lash out at us?! If u really weren't interested in the qualities of bb'ing then u wouldnt criticize others for it.
I say stop all the bashing because it only makes one look suspiciously jealous or ignorant about it. I think anyone goes down a slippery slope to say bb isnt a sport while powerlifting or (weight-lifting) is a sport. It doesnt make sense because bb uses weight lifting to accomplish competitiveness in a different venue, much like football, baseball, soccer, mma etc. Powerlifting IS weight-lifting so if anything PL isolates itself from the rest of sport activities. Do u see how this could be argued for days on end?
This thread didnt lash out at powerlifters, it lashed out a bb'ers trying to do bb'ing with a PL'ing routine. More work is being accomplished under bb'ing routines when calculating the physics and thus more stimulus for muscle growth. Not a hard concept to understand.
But is that the problem? Or is it that PL'ers want to be perceived as BOTH the biggest AND the strongest? They compliment each other, sure. But tons of muscle development doesnt equal the strongest of the strongest. It just means big muscles and strong. Likewise, strong muscles doesnt equate to the biggest ones either.
Lets get over ourselves and move on to better, less controversial topics.
fueledpassion
Well-known member
The clinically obese part, yes. The rest, while most likely true, are generalizations about PL'ers and could have been more tactfully written about except the part about pl being easier that isnt true. There is a staunch of arrogance for sure. Bad write up in regards to being tactful and kind about it but regarding the takeaway, which I think was to train differently, was still helpful imo.
Regardless, all the PL'ers have come in here and for every criticism the author had we've now probably gotten two from Pl'ers directed toward bodybuilding to a point that I'm beginning to wonder if the masses of PL'ers have a chip on their shoulder toward us about it...by responding back that same way as the author did...did it make u any better?
Just a thought I have as I read through all the lashing out. We're supposed to support each other not hate each other like this. Lets not have this arrogant author ruin the comraderie amongst us.
napalm
Well-known member
Dude, you've been respectful in your arguments and I appreciate that. But what if some douchebag came in w a shytty bunch of words slamming bb'ing? The shyt storm would still be going on. My comments haven't been out of arrogance, or having a chip on my shoulder. When I see stupidity I call it out for what it is.
I've sacrificed a lot for this sport, most notably 5 shoulder surgeries, 4 knee surgeries and currently a torn Achilles from worlds last week. When some douche comes in and says we're all fat, have no muscle and don't care about form, well, I take that personally. As do my fellow pl'rs. We're a small, but vocal minority.
I totally agree w your last sentence.
:grouphug:
mrgoodbar0
New member
Napalm, I don't even know if I'd give the article any credit at all. Usually the trolls are the ones posting comments - not writing articles - except in this case.
Seriously, the example of a typical workout was "This is a BB workout, and this is a power lifter testing max weight", it wasn't even the same comparison. The whole thing was completely asinine.
Seriously, the example of a typical workout was "This is a BB workout, and this is a power lifter testing max weight", it wasn't even the same comparison. The whole thing was completely asinine.
12345
New member
The fact that this "author's" sample powerlifting routine was a typical, gradual progressive-overload routine, clearly shows he knows next to nothing about how to achieve maximal strength & speed.
The best powerlifter's in the world train maximal strength, maximal speed, conditioning, restoration & technique.
Of course, there are amateur & professional powerlifters who don't know how to train, just like there are amateur & professional bodybuilders who don't know what they're doing either. This "author" is generalizing everybody which is just ignorant.
Great powerlifters may lift maximally 4-6~ times each week, which not only takes an immense physical toll on someone, but an even greater mental & emotional toll, as well. The ability to recover between sets, exercises & workouts like this requires excellent conditioning.
Bottom line: powerlifting & bodybuilding = apples & oranges.
The best powerlifter's in the world train maximal strength, maximal speed, conditioning, restoration & technique.
Of course, there are amateur & professional powerlifters who don't know how to train, just like there are amateur & professional bodybuilders who don't know what they're doing either. This "author" is generalizing everybody which is just ignorant.
Great powerlifters may lift maximally 4-6~ times each week, which not only takes an immense physical toll on someone, but an even greater mental & emotional toll, as well. The ability to recover between sets, exercises & workouts like this requires excellent conditioning.
Bottom line: powerlifting & bodybuilding = apples & oranges.
fueledpassion
Well-known member
Agreed.
On a slightly different note, anyone care to mention a few powerlifting programs I could consider after my cycle? I've never done one and would like to do it for 6-8 weeks...
smoker145
Guest
5/3/1
napalm
Well-known member
You could give 531 a try, but ideally you'd want to run it more than 6-8 weeks since it's based on 4 week cycles. If you want to run it for 12 weeks, it'd put 30 lbs on the big three and your military press.
If you need any more info, shoot me a pm and I'll hook you up.
I'm so deep into 531 I have an excel file that plans my whole year out for me...
fueledpassion
Well-known member
See thats what I need man. If I could come out of that program 30lbs stronger on squats and bench I could add some major mass to my frame once starting bodybuilding style back up...