Redgav

Sorry to ask what is probably a dumb question to you guys who know what you're doing, but I'm still quite green to all this.

What is the difference in training routines, if any at all, between someone doing bodybuilding for shows and someone wishing to increase muscle size/strength? I mean someone who wants to get as big and strong as possible?

It may be that there are not any real differences. But I see terms such as dual factor, single factor training etc and have read some fantastice posts regarding different routines without really knowing the primary goal behind it. Obviously it's increasing muscle, but for what discipline?

I know I appear a div asking this, but I have to know!
Cheers guys.

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Delhi

I think the best way to answer your question is to re-group..

1. Bodybuilders

2. Power lifters / strong men


Body builders strive to shape and sculpt thier body, using heavy weight is not a major consideration to a bodybuilder so long as it is the best weight to enable visual change.

Power lifters / strong men are not really concerned with looks but rather how much weight can be moved from point A to point B.

The lifts used by both groups can vary widley but there is usually some overlap. For example very few bodybuilders use farmers walk, clean press, snatch etc

While powerlifters seldom do isolation exercises such as kickbacks, concentration curls etc


Personally I like to bodybuild from Jan - Aug, then move onto power lifts / heavy sets later in the year. though this year I will focus 100% on bodybuilding.

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AtomCom

I suppose the difference to me, is growing muscle for strength or shape..

If you or into powerlifting, you are more likely to build strength in the muscle you will use to lift and not be too worried about muscles you will not be using as much. So their training is based around the area they need, say arms etc.

Bodybuildings look at the whole body, they have to work all of it, make ever muscle group grow and be in balance with other muscle groups.

Andy

invisiblekid

That's true to an extent atom - but strength training will generally be compound movements - which strengthens the body as a whole. If you have a weakness in a certain area you may well end up with an injury.

At the end of the day the basic difference is powerlifters train to increase lifts and body builders strive for symmetrical growth.

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Deano!

not read replies, but a mate of mne is 21stoneand was doing strong man comps etc now hes into BBing bt he has shed loads of BF to shift, still the biggest in the gym but once all the BF is down he'll just be average size, powerlifting etc is more for strength and the bodybuiling is more for how you look bud, basic explanation anyways :p

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Big D
110.7kgs
19%bf

Redgav

Thanks for that guys. Guess I just have to decided which camp I fall into!

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chrisj22

Ooooo, suit you sir! :love:

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Redgav

Thanks Chris but no doubts for me on that one!

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Delhi

To be a powerlifter does not mean you have to be fat.

Sure when I did strength training I was holding more than my share, but there is beauty in power training.

Put it this way it can take months to see any difference with bodybuilding, while power training can be improved upon week by week.
No better feeling than getting a PB that you never thought possible plus you do not have to do the crazy dieting that a competative bodybuilder does.

Both disiplines have pros and cons....................

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Porky Pie

You don't have to wear a skimpy set of Speedo's, shave your body, get a fake tan or have other men checking you out if you do powerlifting.

Still...each to their own

steve.t

you sound upset by this pork pie, maybe you can change to bb`ing so wont feel jealous anymore.

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Ellis

I think he has already been down that road before steve

big pete

lol, i saw a cartoon sketch ages ago, it was 2 BBers arguing....

'lets settle this like men, on a stage, shaved, with fake tan and loads of baby oil'

tickled me.

but saying that, PLers do have to squeeze themselves into some remarkably tight powersuits and waddle around like theres been a rectal exam.

so its 6 of one, half a dozen of the other.

everyone has to suffer for there cause, its part and parcel. if it were easy, it wouldnt be as much fun

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