Thread: Why Are You Training Like A Bodybuilder?

Originally Posted by Gazhole

Really wanna get some bands. We have home-made chains, but band deadlifts would really help me i think.

They're a little spendy but worth it. They also work great with squats & bench.

APT Pro Gear - bands powerlifting weight lifting band

Originally Posted by Gazhole

Really wanna get some bands. We have home-made chains, but band deadlifts would really help me i think.

I picked up some Monster Minis from EFS during their last sale. Only used them a couple of times so far, but I like them quite a bit for dynamic work. They're also great for shoulder work - I like face pulls, lateral raises and upright rows more with the bands than with DB or cables.

Originally Posted by Gazhole

Really wanna get some bands.

Originally Posted by Resolve

I picked up some Monster Minis from EFS during their last sale.

I'm a fan of bands as well. Got mine from EFS some time ago as well. They seem to put them on sale like six or seven weeks or so but the same product is available from other vendors.

Aside from accommodating resistance, I like them for tricep and core work as well as tractioning some joints.

Originally Posted by Marat

cshea2, you are essentially accurately paraphrasing what I've said and I do appreciate you helping me defend my stance. However, it is possible that you are missing the overall message.

I'm not interested in separating "bodybuilders" from "powerlifters". I am interested in promoting an understanding of the impact the programming typically associated with the respective 'training paths' have on the body.

Brief examples to help elucidate my point:
Bicep curls probably won't take 12 inch arms to 16 inch arms as readily as deadlifts and rows will. Similarly, the leg press won't put on overall size as readily as squats will. With that said, if one wants 20 inch arms and exceptional quads, some direct work will very likely be needed.


In reference to ygbodybuilder10, I very well think that he can train like a bodybuilder and powerlifter simultaneously. The point of my initial post was to have lifters hopefully consider why they train the way they do. I think that for the 'average' lifter (i.e the guy who isn't interesting in being competitive relative to the field on the stage or platform) would be best served to incorporate aspects from both disciplines. Perhaps some lifters will be better served adopting principles more associated with powerlifting and some lifters will be better served adopting principles associated with bodybuilding.

I just think it's foolish to ignore a third of weightlifting (bodybuilding, powerlifting, olympic lifting) because Men's Health draws out an "8 week routine to really blast your biceps" when guys would probably be better served deadlifting.

Not be be riding anybody, but what I've seen from ygbodybuilder10's occasionally appearances on the forum, he's probably been doing an excellent job harmoniously incorporating both disciplines into his regimen.

Yah, I see your point. Powerlifting, bodybuilding, oly lifting def have a lot of crossover between them. It just sounded like he was contradicting himself by saying he trains like a powerlifter and bodybuilder all in one with lots of cable/machine work. Now that I look at his post he probably was saying I use different rep ranges and more isolation movements at different times of the year or for different programs, which is a good way to train, IMO.

This is kind of unrelated, but I always wondered why oly lifters use the high bar squat? Isn't oly lifting just the clean, clean & snatch, and clean & jerk? Wouldn't a low bar squat be more effective in strengthening the posterior chain for these lifts? haha, you have to bare with me as I know very little about oly lifting.

High bar squats deemphasize the hamstrings and put more emphasis on the quads.

Whether oly lifters, as a whole, squat less than they high squat is up for debate.

Oly lifters squat with a high bar position because that position is closer to what you see in the recovery portion of the snatch and the C&J. You don't see a lifter with such a bent torso after they've racked/caught the barbell. They would never be able to remain upright. In fact, catching the bar too far in front is a reason a lot of lifts are missed.

Plus, high bar squatting develops the proper flexibility to squat clean and squat snatch heavy weights. A lot of people who do low bar squats could never do a high bar squat because they just haven't developed that specific flexibility.

Originally Posted by cshea2

If you use lots of cables and machines and use all rep ranges you are not training like a powerlifter. Like Marat said, a powerlifter may use minor cable work as assistance for the main lifts, but no machine work really.

i use them all, all do heavy free weight movements all the time

Thanks guys! Will definitely pick some up. I found some on Pullum Sports, which is even better since i'll save on shipping same brand of bands, too!

Originally Posted by Marat

I'm a fan of bands as well. Got mine from EFS some time ago as well. They seem to put them on sale like six or seven weeks or so but the same product is available from other vendors.

Aside from accommodating resistance, I like them for tricep and core work as well as tractioning some joints.

I did some banded JM presses today, first time with using them on that particular movement, so I was just sort of testing the waters. Never have my triceps had such a workout. Fantastic stuff!