Why does additional bf% make you a better powerlifter?

[psychedout]

I have pondered this and I cannot understand.

More muscle = more strength yes, but why would more fat = more strength?

I think its ashamed there aren't more 12% powerlifters around.

 

[H_T_]

Leverage.

 

[JT Iron]

Who told you that? Are you even a powerlifter? Most elite powerlifters I know are pretty well built.

Fat DOES NOT make you stronger. Fat doesn't flex. I know a 1000+ squatter who just dieted down from 420 to 380 and got STRONGER.

 

[NeoSoul]

You do know there are weight classes in powerlifting right? take a look at some of the guys in the 165 weight class or 198.

 

[genarr3]

I have pondered this and I cannot understand.

More muscle = more strength yes, but why would more fat = more strength?

I think its ashamed there aren't more 12% powerlifters around.

Go to a real powerlifting meet. See some fellas that actually compete and don't just call themselves powerlifters.

It's just like boxing, there are weight classes. Outside the heavy and superheavy classes you will see some lean mofo's.

 

[Fast Twitch Fiber]

I know what he's saying. When I was my strongest I was also at my fattest. My peak strength I weighed 198 at 25% BF. This made me about 148 lbs. lean. I benched 405 and squatted in the low 500's (around 525). However, I went on a cutting cycle and ended up weighing 183 at 15% making me 156 lbs. lean. My bench dropped down to about 335-345 and squat around 475. I'm old enough that there would have been no height change to factor in. You would think that with an added 8 pounds of muscle I would be stronger but I was weaker without the fat. What's up with that?

 

[Becoming]

I agree with genarr3 when he says go to a meet, you will see a lot of lean dudes... I know of a dude who is ripped as hell (you can see all kinds of seperation in his hammies, they looked like a bundle of ropes, etc) and he recently pulled over 3x bodyweight @181... (natural too)

That said, I personally feel stronger with a little fat (like ~15%) but I think it has more to do with having a little more room for error as far as keeping a calorie/protein surplus to stay strong and for optimal strength gains... when you are eating to stay too lean, I am sure you eat less than you need to a lot of times and this has negative effects on your strenght levels... I think water and hydration also has a HUGE effect on strength...

I think it is a personal thing and you should lift at whatever bf% you feel strongest at...

 

[Scotsman]

Simple you have to diet hard to get below 10% bodyfat. When your goal is to be strong and add as much muscle as possible you are going to add some fat along the way. Also a little extra bodyfat also helps your joints by adding more water into your body to help keep them lubricated. Also in order to store more glycogen for muscular effort you can't limit your caloric intake as much. Furthermore many powerlifters look fat in regular clothes because of the shape of their muscles. They want a bigger waist with more muscle, as opposed to the thin tapered bodybuilding waistline, so they have more stability. If you see Ed Coan, Chuck Vogelpohl, Brent Mikesall, or Scott Mendelson with their shirts off you wouldn't call them fat. Their abs bulge out but are very well defined due to their style of training.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[pee wee]

Ive noticed adding fat adds weight to my lifts too.

 

[WalkingBeast]

The bigger the potbelly the lesser the range of motion, and who can argue that? A 56 inch waist is ideal for my goals.