What is the difference between powerlifting and bodybuilding

Bodybuilders focus primarily on building muscle, losing fat, contest preparation, or simply maintaining size and strength. Powerlifters direct their attention to getting as strong as possible on the core lifts such as the deadlift, squat, and bench press.

Comparing bodybuilding and powerlifting is like comparing apples and oranges, but believe it or not, the two share several similarities. When the word "bodybuilding" comes to mind, I immediately think commitment. A bodybuilder must utilize cardio, weight training, supplementation, proper recovery, and diet to fully meet his or her goals. When the word "powerlifting" comes to mind, I immediately think of big burly men pushing heavy weight and devouring all sorts of food - whether it be healthy or not.

With that being said, let's take a look at the similarities and differences between bodybuilding and powerlifting. Both bodybuilders and powerlifters go through a "peaking phase. This peaking phase is not a lifestyle, but more like a job. The main goal here for the bodybuilder is to gain as much muscle as possible! The peaking phase for a powerlifter entails that the trainee focuses extensively on bringing up the core lifts and conditioning.

During this time period, the trainee eats enormous amounts of food and lifts with gut wrenching intensity - just as the bodybuilder does in the off season when on a "bulking" program. Both bodybuilders and powerlifters incorporate the principle of experimentation into their regimens. It's imperative to discover what works for you and what doesn't. For bodybuilding purposes, it's important to experiment with your nutrition and training.

Both bodybuilders and powerlifters also incorporate the idea of sleep and recovery. Think about it - both types of trainees are breaking down muscle fibers on a constant basis.

Therefore, recovery and recuperation is key to attaining your goals. Both bodybuilding and powerlifting take quite a bit of mental preparation. For bodybuilders, this includes having the mental capacity to keep going and never giving up when you're practically running on an empty tank - just 2 weeks out of a bodybuilding contest.

For powerlifters, this means having the mindset to nail that pound deadlift - no matter what! Bodybuilders incorporate the same lifts which powerlifters perform, but use a different rep range. Bodybuilders use the bench press and squat and even the deadlift! Bodybuilders train for pure size, where as powerlifters train for brute strength. Training for the powerlifter implies training in a very low rep range - reps and many singles is the crux of the powerlifter's routine. These reps are completed with maximal poundage and extremely long rest periods.

Bodybuilders are more concerned with diet and concerned with appearance than powerlifters. A powerlifter clearly doesn't care about appearance, as the main goal in the sport of powerlifting is to move as much weight as possible. Proper diet either makes or breaks a bodybuilder's appearance, and that is why it is imperative for bodybuilders to make smart food choices!

Have you ever seen a powerlifter do cardio? I didn't think so. Bodybuilders focus not only on strength training and diet, but on cardio as well. When losing fat or preparing for a contest are the goals of the trainee, cardio is absolutely key for bodybuilders! Bodybuilders train with "the big 3," but also train with compound movements and isolation exercises - something powerlifters fail to do.

Don't get me wrong, powerlifters do train every body part, they just do it in a different manner. They focus on full body lifts rather than several accessory lifts to target the muscles. Benefits: What are the benefits of both? Both powerlifting and bodybuilding have their benefits. For example, both sports teach the trainee the importance of discipline and dedication. You have to have the perseverance to hit that big squat or place within the top 3 competitors in your weight class.

You have to possess the dedication to commit yourself day in and day out! One of the biggest benefits of bodybuilding is the fact that it improves your appearance significantly.

As a result, you will have more confidence and be much happier with yourself! Not to mention the fact that you'll now be attracting the opposite sex! One of the biggest benefits of powerlifting is the fact that you will develop a much better connection with your body, as you will test your limits day in and day out of the gym by attempting heavy weights - never second guessing yourself! As a powerlifter, you will also develop a greater sense of self confidence and perseverance! Hostility: Is there any hostility between powerlifters and bodybuilders?

Sometimes bodybuilders often rip on powerlifters for being "overweight" and "fat. However, the fact of the matter is that powerlifters who diet down to take up bodybuilding often come out looking the best. Bodybuilders such as Ronnie Coleman and Johnnie Jackson were former powerlifters and just look at their physiques! In the grand scheme of things, it is this writer's opinion that the hostility isn't as severe as it was a couple years ago.

I think both sides have learned to respect each other. After all, we all share the same passion - lifting weights! Personally, I have a new found respect for powerlifters after I became good friends with a powerlifter who has competed locally and attends the same gym as I do.

After seeing this guy train and place 1st in several local powerlifting competitions, I developed a new found respect for guys like him! Incorporating: Do you incorporate powerlifting into your bodybuilding routine?

How so and why? I incorporate the "big 3" into my bodybuilding routine and train in the low rep ranges from time to time. Doing so has enabled me to get the best of both worlds and develop my strength levels. With my increased strength levels, I also increased my mass and size as well! I also use bench presses with chains and bands from time to time - a typical powerlifting training method. Doing so has allowed me to create more resistance and amplify my training!

I also do Full Squats whenever I hit a plateau on my "bodybuilding squats" - which consist of me squatting way below parallel. Doing so has allowed me to break my plateau and has also generated some new growth in my lower body! Javascript Required to take advantage of the Eolas legal workaround. I truly feel as if all bodybuilders should incorporate some powerlifting methods and "the big 3" into their routines - regardless of his or her goals. They will allow you to shock your body into growth and conclusively increase your strength, which opens the door for some wicked size gains!

Bonus Question: What do you prefer; bodybuilding or powerlifting? I like to describe my training style as a cross between powerlifting and bodybuilding. My main goal is training for size, but I love going into the gym and pounding out low reps with some heavy weights! I train for brute strength in the rep range on all of the core lifts and this has allowed me to increase size and strength. I got the idea of training this way from Bodybuilding. So all in all, I prefer powerbuilding as I like training for size, but have a passion for attacking some heavy weights and testing my limits!

When somebody can look at you and say "Wow, are you a bodybuilder," or "You're on steroids! An accomplished powerlifter however may hear different comments though such as, "You are a monster," or "You're massive! But that is where many of the similarities end.

A bodybuilder can be defined as someone who is in the process of developing the muscles of the body through proper diet and training techniques. This will lead to greater muscle damage producing greater hypertrophy adaptations muscle growth. This is much different than a bodybuilding split, where the main emphasis is on breaking each workout into muscle groups. Here are two examples of a powerlifting vs bodybuilding training split using a 4-day workout schedule:.

Many people would broadly say that powerlifters use low reps and bodybuilders use high reps This is because lower rep ranges produce strength adaptations and higher rep ranges produce hypertrophy adaptations.

Therefore, the real difference is not necessarily what rep ranges are used, but rather, the ratio of time spent in each rep range. For powerlifters, they will spend on average in the lower rep range versus higher rep range.

For bodybuilders, they will spend on average in the higher rep range versus lower rep range. On average, powerlifters use heavier loads and bodybuilders use lighter loads. This is a function of the rep ranges and the types of exercises used.

Yes, the loads are different, but because the rep ranges are also different, the training efforts are still equally as high. The rest intervals refer to the time spent in between sets.

Lower weight equals less rest. Therefore, powerlifters will typically take between minutes of rest between sets, while bodybuilders take between minutes. Recovery is an important aspect for both powerlifters and bodybuilders. This would certainly lead to over-training, burn-out, and increase the risk of joint and tendon injury. This could create muscle soreness lasting in excessive of 48 hours. Other ways powerlifters and bodybuilders implement recovery protocols are:.

In order to train at higher intensities, the volume must be reduced to avoid injury and overuse. So what does this all mean? Powerbuilding is a tradeoff of sorts. This is especially true when reaching beyond the levels of basic strength and fitness. Initially, the body will react to any sort of resistance training by developing larger and stronger muscles.

When that adaptation stops, it starts to become a matter of prioritization. The same could be said about distance running and bodybuilding, or perhaps rock climbing and powerlifting. To find out more about the NIFS bloggers, click here. NIFS blogs are written by our nationally certified and degreed staff on fitness subjects ranging from workouts to nutrition to how to live a healthy lifestyle.

We hope you enjoy our tips and insight! Indianapolis, Indiana Call us: How Are Bodybuilding and Powerlifting Different? The Rise of Powerbuilding Powerbuilding has emerged as a sort of hybridization of the two sports. Strength Training vs. Make Your Choice So what does this all mean?