Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below I was in a gym a couple of weeks ago and met Tommy Jefferson, 1999 Mr. America. I'm going to go check him out at a seminar he is giving on Dec. 15. In our conversation, one thing he mentioned was that he was a bodybuilder and the judges "don't care how strong I am. They are judging me on how I look." I am going to ask this question when I see him at his seminar, but I wanted to see what you guys thought. - What are the main differences in training for strength as in powerlifting vs. training for looks as in bodybuilding?
Training: Stength vs. Looks
- Thread starter Alpine
- Start date
diamonddiceclay
New member
powerlifters are strong and fat, bb'ers look good
You get both if use fina! I'm too strong for my joints, think I need to do a cycle of GH and Deca. I also must say that chicks dig me more than ever so I know I'm looking good. It just depends on the look you want, but most girls I know prefer the hard look which is what I've got over the big and puffy look!
The main difference in training for powerlifting is the type of exercises performed, rest periods which are ususally 5-10 minutes. Also the rep range is around 4-6. Sometimes less.
Generally speaking the way it goes is bodybuilders concentrate on the muscle contraction, pump and stretch while moving the weight. So therefore the weight is not of paramount importance as it is used as a tool to keep the muscles under tension for a specified period of time. Usually about 30-45 seconds.
Powerlifters on the other hand will concentrate on moving the weight itself. So the weight moved becomes of paramount importance, weight moved in good form. They concentrate on efficiency of movement and do not strive to keep the muscle under tension as it will cause them to loose strenght fast. Also this type of training does not foster the maximum muscle growth which is also beneficial when it comes to making and maintaining weight classes.
Hope this clarifies some.
Generally speaking the way it goes is bodybuilders concentrate on the muscle contraction, pump and stretch while moving the weight. So therefore the weight is not of paramount importance as it is used as a tool to keep the muscles under tension for a specified period of time. Usually about 30-45 seconds.
Powerlifters on the other hand will concentrate on moving the weight itself. So the weight moved becomes of paramount importance, weight moved in good form. They concentrate on efficiency of movement and do not strive to keep the muscle under tension as it will cause them to loose strenght fast. Also this type of training does not foster the maximum muscle growth which is also beneficial when it comes to making and maintaining weight classes.
Hope this clarifies some.
I can see how they look. I was more interested in training tips of how to achieve that look. Since high school I've always been told to train as heavy as possible all the time. (My football coach was a powerlifter.) I know watching your diet plays a greater role in bodybuilding. But is there a significant difference in the way the actual training is done? (ie. using a higher minimum # of reps for body sculpting as opposed to going for the lower reps with higher weight for strength, using more isolated movements, etc.) I am more interested now in how I look, than how much weight I can push.
The_Eviscerator
New member
Honestly, I think a mixture of both types of training are the best. Fluctuating between a 4-6 rep scheme using heavy compound movements and longer rest periods for mass.
High reps with shorter rest periods for quality and cut.
I like to flucuate every couple of weeks.
High reps with shorter rest periods for quality and cut.
I like to flucuate every couple of weeks.
