Thread: Powerlifting Physique

Powerlifters don't care about a six pack unless it's dark beer!

Bodybuilders are more concerned with aesthetics where powerlifters just want to move weight. I respect anyone who can accomplish either goal.

Absolutely, not saying either one is better than the other. Interesting though.

Originally Posted by SuperLift

When I think of a powerlifter I get the mental picture of just in overall big dude. Big chest, bug shoulders, big arms, big legs, but a big gut too. Why is that you never see powerlifters with 6 packs? Just because of the diet I guess?

When you think bodybuilder, you think big chest, big shoulders, big arms, big legs, but a 6 pack.

What do y'all think?

Saying that all powerlifters have a big gut is incorrect. Superheavyweight powerlifters do have extra weight sometimes, but everyone else has to compete in a weight class and make weight. Being competitive is very difficult if you have a ton of fat on your body. Powerlifters are very big men, but not the least concerned with aesthetics. They are concerned about how much weight they can lift in three lifts. Period. By the way, you see many powerlifters with 6 pacs, but only as a result of being lean and having a strong core.

Goals are different, training is different, diet is different. Think the difference in mentality is the biggest difference. We who call ourselves bodybuilders train our minds to move a certain weight 4,6,8,10 even 12 times or more. Our powerlifter counterparts just want that one, clean rep. Totally different mental approach.

I know some do, just saying that's how I picture them. Strong animals ! Lol

Originally Posted by SuperLift

When I think of a powerlifter I get the mental picture of just in overall big dude. Big chest, bug shoulders, big arms, big legs, but a big gut too. Why is that you never see powerlifters with 6 packs? Just because of the diet I guess?

When you think bodybuilder, you think big chest, big shoulders, big arms, big legs, but a 6 pack.

What do y'all think?

I think only the heaviest weight class has the option of being a little fat. Everyone else has to make their weight class. Anyways, we had this discussion a little bit in another thread before, here is a picture of a dieted down powerlifter.

Dave Gulledge, powerlifter.



Dave Gulledge, dieted-down powerlifter:

6 packs are gay......so is anything from Abercrombie and Queer

Originally Posted by irish_2003

6 packs are gay......so is anything from Abercrombie and Queer

That's why I buy my beer in 12 packs. And you are correct on Abercrombie and Queer.

Because to make a long story short, you're probably gonna have a better time getting sheer strength by fucking eating. It's hard to get lean and keep the "six pack" and other aesthetically pleasing and marketable terms while staying your strongest. This is simply because the math of building muscle mass and strength is usually at it's greatest sum when the integers are composed of positive calories with a slight remainder after the division yields it's quotient....... unless you're gifted or on good shit.

Whoever that dude is, he has a Badass physique. He's huge, is that you?

Lol no he's name is Dave Gulledge he's a powerlifter.

Originally Posted by ihateschoolmt

Lol no he's name is Dave Gulledge he's a powerlifter.

Oh, I dont know any powerlifters.. You couldve taken credit bro!! haha

I think inherently both bodybuilders and powerlifters have very similar physiques.
cut powerlifters and strongmen e.g Matt kroc, derek Poundtsone, Mariusz look bodybuilderesque.

and bulked bodybuilder look like the "normal" powerlifter e.g. johhnie jackson, ben white and ronnie coleman (i deliberatley chose those guys as they compete or competed in PL)

but all in all both look big yet i feel a powerlifter has a more brutish, strong look to them. does that make sense?

Originally Posted by trapzilla

I think inherently both bodybuilders and powerlifters have very similar physiques.
cut powerlifters and strongmen e.g Matt kroc, derek Poundtsone, Mariusz look bodybuilderesque.

and bulked bodybuilder look like the "normal" powerlifter e.g. johhnie jackson, ben white and ronnie coleman (i deliberatley chose those guys as they compete or competed in PL)

but all in all both look big yet i feel a powerlifter has a more brutish, strong look to them. does that make sense?

Powerlifters probably just get bigger all around. Cause in their lifts they "use" their whole body. This guy has some great genetics though imo. But, i'd think they get the "brutish look" from just growing really proportionately and even though bodybuilders strive for that balanced look, usable proportion is probably what the power lifters have. Raw strength.

They have a lot of muscle because of progressive overload and well if they follow the 6-25rep schemes of assistance work then that'll give um some hypertrophy.

Originally Posted by kyoryoko

Powerlifters probably just get bigger all around. Cause in their lifts they "use" their whole body. This guy has some great genetics though imo. But, i'd think they get the "brutish look" from just growing really proportionately and even though bodybuilders strive for that balanced look, usable proportion is probably what the power lifters have. Raw strength.

They have a lot of muscle because of progressive overload and well if they follow the 6-25rep schemes of assistance work then that'll give um some hypertrophy.

true..

Pudzianowski could have competed in anything and been a champion. 320 330 shredded to the bone.

He's huge but not quite 320. Google says he's about 280, beast.

I just watched last years strongman Comp the other day and he was in at 320. You could see his muscle fibers.

Coulda been 2009

Pudz was a freak he was the ultimate hybrid powerlifter/bodybuilder. I'm pretty sure I've seen recent pics and he has leaned way out probably 50 or 60 lbs lighter. Stan Effersing is strong as he'll and also has an awesome physique.

Originally Posted by D-Latsky

Pudz was a freak he was the ultimate hybrid powerlifter/bodybuilder. I'm pretty sure I've seen recent pics and he has leaned way out probably 50 or 60 lbs lighter. Stan Effersing is strong as he'll and also has an awesome physique.

Mariusz trimmed down for mma

Originally Posted by irish_2003

Mariusz trimmed down for mma

Nice I just saw a picture I can't even remember where but he still looks strong as fuck. Do you know where or under what company he fights?

Originally Posted by SuperLift

When I think of a powerlifter I get the mental picture of just in overall big dude. Big chest, bug shoulders, big arms, big legs, but a big gut too. Why is that you never see powerlifters with 6 packs? Just because of the diet I guess?

When you think bodybuilder, you think big chest, big shoulders, big arms, big legs, but a 6 pack.

What do y'all think?

Powerlifters love to eat whatever and can get away with it.

Competitive BBers love to eat but have to be strict.

Pretty simple actually.

Originally Posted by D-Latsky

Nice I just saw a picture I can't even remember where but he still looks strong as fuck. Do you know where or under what company he fights?

sylvia is big as shit 6'8 300+

Now that's a freaking monster. Hate being strict while eating :-/

The two have completely different goals, hence different physiques. It would be a powerlifters waste of time in trying to achieve a six pac when he can be focusing that extra energy on improving heavy lifts while a bodybuilder is not judged on his lifts but on the way he/she looks.

Powerlifting is the better of the two by far.