Powerlifting and looking good

[CitizenKane]

I realise I am probably setting myself up to be slated by both the bodybuilders and the strength guys here but anyway...I have a question and I will put it as simply as I can.

i) I want a physique similar to this:

http://www.vincesteven.com/IMG/jpg_Greg_Plitt_120.jpg

ii) I want to get into powerlifting.

In your honest opinion, are these two goals incompatible?

[achilles89]

That guy simply has low body fat he is not overly muscular. I think bodybuilders like Ronnie Coleman and Johnny Jackson train like powerlifters, they just diet down before competitions. It is possible to do some kind of powerbuilding (bodybuilding and powerlifting hybrid).

[BigCorey75]

They are very compatible, a good deal of lighter weight powerlifters are about 6 weeks of hardcore dieting away from the stage. Many time when people think of powerlfiters they think of the heavy weights, many of the lighter weight class guys can give some bodybuilders a run for their money

PL is more about CNS activation and technique to move the weight, while bodybuilding is more about muscle grow, so it is definitely possible to achieve such a physique and get strong

[Allen Cress]

As far training if you want to be a powerlifter you have to train as such. Your goal is to move as much weight as possible in the 3 lifts so wanting to be really lean also is a contradicting goal. Not that you can't look decent as diet has alot to do with that as well.

Unless you are gentically gifted you are not going to look like the pic and be a powerlifter as well. Now if you are just looking to be stronger and not compete then thats a different story. Training doesn't have to be one or the other. Guys like Ronnie Coleman do the powerlifts for low reps, but trust me their volume and reps for the rest of the workout are far from low volume.

[HeavyBomber]

As far training if you want to be a powerlifter you have to train as such. Your goal is to move as much weight as possible in the 3 lifts so wanting to be really lean also is a contradicting goal. Not that you can't look decent as diet has alot to do with that as well.

Unless you are gentically gifted you are not going to look like the pic and be a powerlifter as well. Now if you are just looking to be stronger and not compete then thats a different story. Training doesn't have to be one or the other. Guys like Ronnie Coleman do the powerlifts for low reps, but trust me their volume and reps for the rest of the workout are far from low volume.

I agree with this in general, especially the second paragraph, but your comment about strength training and leanness being a contradicting goal is suspect. There are weight classes in powerlifting and most competitors strive to stay in their competitive class. That usually means muscle to fat ratio is a paramount concern.

[achilles89]

This is Konstantin Konstantinovs the famous Pler. He is very strong and still in good shape.

[Ben F Burgess]

Definately possible.

Google images for Olegsander Kutcher, Matt Kroc, Konstantinovs (recent), David Ricks (recent) there are loads of lean powerlifters in great shape.

Maybe 90% of them lift in the non-tested federations though.

[kmagnuss]

I remember seeing a recent vid of the guy (I'm ******ed with names) who made the "Maybe you just don't *****ing know how to bench!" video...and he went from a big ole fatty to being just ripped up...just by changing his diet and cardio a bit. Dang I wish I could remember his name...he's really popular around here.

[Tom Mutaffis]

I realise I am probably setting myself up to be slated by both the bodybuilders and the strength guys here but anyway...I have a question and I will put it as simply as I can.

i) I want a physique similar to this:

http://www.vincesteven.com/IMG/jpg_Greg_Plitt_120.jpg

ii) I want to get into powerlifting.

In your honest opinion, are these two goals incompatible?

There are quite a few factors and questions that would need to be answered.

What kind of timeline do you have for these goals and what kind of shape are you in right now?

Are you naturally more lean or someone who carries a bit more weight?

How competitive are you looking to be in powerlifting?

Are you willing to follow a strict diet and training program?

Would you like to achieve your goals without performance enhancing drugs?

The person from the picture has your average 'P90X' physique and is not something unattainable for almost anyone. To look like that and to be strong is a different story though and would depend on your overall timeline for training, genetics, supplements, lifestyle, etc.

[Sean S]

You can certainly be reasonably lean and be a powerlifter. Taken to extremes, these two aren't compatible though. Some it will depend on genetics though. Some guys seem to be able to stay really lean and still gain muscle (which is usually necessary in powerlifting to increase strength), while others put on fat more easily as they gain.
Can you be photoshoot ready or near-stage ready in BB standards and be a powerlifter? Not likely. Can you stay reasonably lean and be a powerlifter? Yes.

[Sean S]

I remember seeing a recent vid of the guy (I'm ******ed with names) who made the "Maybe you just don't *****ing know how to bench!" video...and he went from a big ole fatty to being just ripped up...just by changing his diet and cardio a bit. Dang I wish I could remember his name...he's really popular around here.

Dave Tate.

[Alyion]

Look at Dave Gulledge as well, went from around 320 to a ripped 275

[kmagnuss]

Dave Tate.

Yes! Thank you.

me--->

[ZenMonkey]

Dave Tate. Powerlifter.

[Lones Green]

Dave Tate. Powerlifter.

To be fair, Dave was quite a bit bigger when he was powerlifting. And by bigger, I mean fatter

[Ben F Burgess]

Kutcher, Kroc, Ricks.

All world champs. Granted they dont look have that 'homo-chic' look of the guy in the original post but you have say they are in pretty good nick

[Sidior]

Didn't read the whole thread.

It is possible and damn easy. Train for strength, eat for looks.

[KoSh]

Didn't read the whole thread.

It is possible and damn easy. Train for strength, eat for looks.

As someone who works out, you obviously know it's anything but easy... So I'm assuming you mean, "It's easy to figure out" and for that statement I absolutely agree.

[Off Road]

I love these threads...Everybody pulls out pictures of these genetic monsters to prove their points

[Travis Bell]

I realise I am probably setting myself up to be slated by both the bodybuilders and the strength guys here but anyway...I have a question and I will put it as simply as I can.

i) I want a physique similar to this:

http://www.vincesteven.com/IMG/jpg_Greg_Plitt_120.jpg

ii) I want to get into powerlifting.

In your honest opinion, are these two goals incompatible?

If you want a physique like that, you're really not going to achieve that with powerlifting.

Its really not hard to be lean and be a powerlifter, however everyone's body will respond differently depending on genetics.

Some people will be stronger at a higher BF, while others will be able to consistently make progress at a lower BF. Genetics is the key.

Getting that physique though isn't going to be probable because of the way your muscles will develop if you're training like a true powerlifter.

[ZenMonkey]

To be fair, Dave was quite a bit bigger when he was powerlifting. And by bigger, I mean fatter

I thought he was still PLing when he was dieting down?

[RichMcGuire]

Genetics can be said for bodybuilding routines as well. People could pull up a thousand pictures of bodybuilders to prove their points as well. But it doesnt mean anyone is going to look like them. That being said, you could also pull up pictures of less than avg bodybuilders or PL'ers. And it still doesnt mean you will look like them. You could look better.

Point is, a picture comparison does nothing to prove PL'ing or BB'ing.

I think the best thing to do would be a hybrid routine. I really like the 5/3/1.

[Meat_Head]

I thought he was still PLing when he was dieting down?

Nope, he's been out of the powerlifting game since 2006 or so due to a nasty shoulder problem, I believe. I think he had to drop the weight to take some strain off of it. Since then he's cleaned up his diet and burned off the fat.

[ZenMonkey]

Genetics can be said for bodybuilding routines as well. People could pull up a thousand pictures of bodybuilders to prove their points as well. But it doesnt mean anyone is going to look like them. That being said, you could also pull up pictures of less than avg bodybuilders or PL'ers. And it still doesnt mean you will look like them. You could look better.

Point is, a picture comparison does nothing to prove PL'ing or BB'ing.

I think the best thing to do would be a hybrid routine. I really like the 5/3/1.

No one said it "proved" anything. All we have to do is show one example of a PL lifter being lean to show that it is possible for PLing to be an indirect means to a leaner physique (diet being a direct means)

[RichMcGuire]

No one said it "proved" anything. All we have to do is show one example of a PL lifter being lean to show that it is possible.

I love these threads...Everybody pulls out pictures of these genetic monsters to prove their points

I was referring to this quote. The idea being you really cant prove anything with pics like Offroad is saying. You can only argue possibilities.