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supertech69
New member
Hey ladies and gents, I decided to write my contrast/comparison paper on bodybuilding vs power lifting in my comp class. It is a very generic overview of our sports. I would like your comments on it. Not being a power lifter, I have tried to make it as accurate as possible from my limited knowledge, and have tried not to go into so much detail that it bores my professor. Thanx!
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The sports of bodybuilding and power lifting may seem like the same thing to most, when in fact, they are worlds apart. The same basic guidelines and principals apply to each, but the way in which the goals are met, are completely different. Most people would view a large muscular person as being fit, and strong, but that is not always the case. Likewise, the same people might think a seemingly overweight person would not be fit when in fact he or she could be tremendously skilled and athletic. For example, although he had a leaner and more muscular appearance, Arnold Schwarzenegger, in his best condition, could not lift the amount of weight an Olympic power lifter can.
Both bodybuilding and power lifting require a great deal of dedication, attention to detail, time, and determination. A person in training will spend on the average, one to two hours each day, training. Training logs are used by both to monitor the amount of weight and repetitions done for each exercise. Along with the time spent on training, there is time spent preparing numerous meals, eating meals, and planning out the training for the day. Each athlete must also calculate, and keep track of their daily food intake, for optimal performance. These variables include calories, fat, carbohydrates, and protein.
A bodybuilder’s daily training differs from a power lifter by the type of training that is performed. A bodybuilder concentrates on forming the muscle to peak size and symmetry, focusing equal importance on each individual muscle. The resting period between exercise sets is usually less than that of a power lifter. This strategy ensures that the muscles remain pumped full of blood and optimal fatigue is achieved. Their goal is to build every muscle from head to toe, and display an evenly developed and sculpture like appearance. A competitive bodybuilder is judged on muscle quality and overall physique, not strength. On the other hand, power lifters training is directed primarily towards compound movements. A compound movement is one that has a focus on a larger muscle group, but must be supported by several other smaller muscles to be performed. Supporting muscle exercises may be done to improve strength, but generally, appearance is not a concern. The goal of the power lifter is to move a certain amount of weight in a specific fashion. A power lifting competitor is judged on the amount of weight used to perform specific exercises as well as, a combined total weight achieved of all exercises. The usual movements are bench press, squat, and dead lift.
In addition to the training, the bodybuilder’s diet is a delicate balancing act. They must take in just enough calories, carbohydrates, fats and proteins to build, and maintain muscle tissue, yet not so many that they gain fat tissue. A precise diet on the days leading up to, and the day of competition, will display the body in its absolute best appearance. Instead, the power lifter must primarily ensure that they are taking in enough protein to build and maintain muscle tissue and enough carbohydrates and fats to maintain high energy, and strength levels. The power lifter consumes considerably higher amounts of calories versus the bodybuilder who is constantly curtailing calories.
In conclusion, bodybuilding and power lifting truly are worlds apart when compared, despite seeming one in the same to the average person. Regardless of a person’s choice, bodybuilding and power lifting require a great deal of preparation. Both sports require training that is time-consuming and life-altering. Power lifters and bodybuilders must always train, and must always diet. Straying away for even a short amount of time can leave them with a mountain to climb to return to their previous state of conditioning.
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The sports of bodybuilding and power lifting may seem like the same thing to most, when in fact, they are worlds apart. The same basic guidelines and principals apply to each, but the way in which the goals are met, are completely different. Most people would view a large muscular person as being fit, and strong, but that is not always the case. Likewise, the same people might think a seemingly overweight person would not be fit when in fact he or she could be tremendously skilled and athletic. For example, although he had a leaner and more muscular appearance, Arnold Schwarzenegger, in his best condition, could not lift the amount of weight an Olympic power lifter can.
Both bodybuilding and power lifting require a great deal of dedication, attention to detail, time, and determination. A person in training will spend on the average, one to two hours each day, training. Training logs are used by both to monitor the amount of weight and repetitions done for each exercise. Along with the time spent on training, there is time spent preparing numerous meals, eating meals, and planning out the training for the day. Each athlete must also calculate, and keep track of their daily food intake, for optimal performance. These variables include calories, fat, carbohydrates, and protein.
A bodybuilder’s daily training differs from a power lifter by the type of training that is performed. A bodybuilder concentrates on forming the muscle to peak size and symmetry, focusing equal importance on each individual muscle. The resting period between exercise sets is usually less than that of a power lifter. This strategy ensures that the muscles remain pumped full of blood and optimal fatigue is achieved. Their goal is to build every muscle from head to toe, and display an evenly developed and sculpture like appearance. A competitive bodybuilder is judged on muscle quality and overall physique, not strength. On the other hand, power lifters training is directed primarily towards compound movements. A compound movement is one that has a focus on a larger muscle group, but must be supported by several other smaller muscles to be performed. Supporting muscle exercises may be done to improve strength, but generally, appearance is not a concern. The goal of the power lifter is to move a certain amount of weight in a specific fashion. A power lifting competitor is judged on the amount of weight used to perform specific exercises as well as, a combined total weight achieved of all exercises. The usual movements are bench press, squat, and dead lift.
In addition to the training, the bodybuilder’s diet is a delicate balancing act. They must take in just enough calories, carbohydrates, fats and proteins to build, and maintain muscle tissue, yet not so many that they gain fat tissue. A precise diet on the days leading up to, and the day of competition, will display the body in its absolute best appearance. Instead, the power lifter must primarily ensure that they are taking in enough protein to build and maintain muscle tissue and enough carbohydrates and fats to maintain high energy, and strength levels. The power lifter consumes considerably higher amounts of calories versus the bodybuilder who is constantly curtailing calories.
In conclusion, bodybuilding and power lifting truly are worlds apart when compared, despite seeming one in the same to the average person. Regardless of a person’s choice, bodybuilding and power lifting require a great deal of preparation. Both sports require training that is time-consuming and life-altering. Power lifters and bodybuilders must always train, and must always diet. Straying away for even a short amount of time can leave them with a mountain to climb to return to their previous state of conditioning.
