Are You a Bodybuilder or a Powerlifter?
Are You a Bodybuilder or a Powerlifter? Zach BashoreApril
29, 2006For any person making the switch from
bodybuilder to powerlifter, or are new to the
whole fitnessw thing and want to learn the differences
between the two sports, then this article is for
you. Bodybuilding and powerlifting may sound the
same, but they are actually the complete opposite.
You are going to learn why they are the opposite
and the differences between the two sports in
training, dieting, and supplementation. The bodybuilder`s
training routine emphasizes whichever goal the
bodybuilder may have. Let`s say that a bodybuilder
is getting ready for a contest and is only paying
attention to getting toned. His training routine
would start consisting of lighter weights just
with more repetitions. In powerlifting, it is
completely different! In a powerlifting contest,
three events (squat, bench press, and deadlift)
determine the overall winner.
This is why powerlifters use a periodized training
program which consists of four phases.1) Hypertrophy2)
Basic Strength3) Maximum Strength 4) Transition
SpeedBodybuilders must pay more attention what
they eat than what powerlifters do because of
the simple fact of bodybuilders keeping fat gain
to a minimum. Powerlifters don`t have to go through
the twelve weeks of severe dieting that bodybuilders
go through, but they still have to keep their
food intake high enough to stay in an anabolic
state. Powerlifters get to eat more but that can
actually be a bad thing for them because they
simply have to eat more of the same healthy foods,
which can make one feel sick after a week or so.
However, bodybuilders and powerlifters diets both
emphasize eating to gain muscle but powerlifters
don`t have to worry about eating for fat loss.
A bodybuilder`s supplement cupboard would most
likely consist of a healthy fat source, multivitamin,
and whatever supplements for the goal that they
are emphasizing. A powerlifter`s cupboard would
contain the same basic supplements but only with
more of the muscle building supplements such as
creatine, ZMA, protein powder, and weight gainers.
You will seldom ever see a powerlifter supplementing
with weight loss products unless they are at the
point of having too much bodyfat that is having
a negative impact on their lifts. Bodybuilding
and powerlifting are both great sports to be involved
with, but it is important that you know the differences
between the two so that you`re not confused. If
you are currently in one of the sports and would
like to further educate yourself on the differences
between the two, attend a contest and see which
one that you like best. You never know, maybe
that bodybuilding body is more suited for powerlifting,
and vice-versa. You just never know until you
try it.
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