i'm done

[jeremys]

bodybuilding vs. powerlifting...

its been in my head since probably a year after i started lifting. at least a couple years now

in the last couple months, it has become a serious problem. i'm back and forth twice a day now. no joke.

you'd think i could just stick with something and do it. no go there. i'm neurotic or something

the 2 worlds are so different. you can be an avid bodybuilder and be strong, but you wont be the top lifter in the world. you can be an avid powerlifter and look big, but you'll never be mr. o. whatever i do, i want to be the best. (world class lifter or mr. o/top 3 in mr. o). i will not settle for mediocrity

with the 2 routes to choose, i can not make up my mind

part of me says to go w/ powerlifting. i already hold records (albeit almost anybody can) and competitions are very fun. it's always nice to give a big number when somebody asks 'whadya bench?'. but i might not want to limit myself to one lift ( i dont think i'd like to squat or dead competitively though). and the whole injury/joint wear thing isnt too appealing

the other part of me says to go w/ bodybuilding. who doesnt want to look decent. i really do believe i have the genetics for it. small wrists/knees/ankles and kinda full muscle bellies. i grow like a weed and my waist isnt huge when im leaner. but i dont know if i want to bust my ass just to have somebody's opinion of my body dictate wether i win a competition or not

i dont know. i'll take up swimming or something. or go w/ my drunk ass 'friends' and party on the weekends

this shit's supposed to be fun and im sick of bitching about it all and constantly fretting about it

 

[RusPA81]

Oh to be young and have problems. Don't worry about to much. Things like that tend to sort themselves out. You are still very young. You can do both and see what works out better for you. Don't forget that some of the most successful bodybuilders began their careers and build thier foundations as powerlifters.

 

[jeremys]

thats true

but i also have to know what i'd be doing today/tomorrow

i'm either restricting calories or im not and im either working on top end bench or back and traps

and i cant take any more time off. i've been doing that a lot lately to try to get my mind together

 

[jackangel]

this is a problem? you are crazy. we need you on the chat board.

 

[RusPA81]

thats true

but i also have to know what i'd be doing today/tomorrow

i'm either restricting calories or im not and im either working on top end bench or back and traps

and i cant take any more time off. i've been doing that a lot lately to try to get my mind together

I feel you and see where you are coming from. No one can really help you out with this I afraid. As much as it sucks you are gonna figure it out for yourself. I wish you the best though bro. Good luck.

 

[jeremys]

thanks for the words

i guess you're right. i ultimately make the decision but i guess im somehow looking for help if thats possible?

i always thought i could figure it out by myself. but its been MONTHS/YEARS and i dont see it coming to an end. its getting worse

 

[t3c]

good luck in whatever you do man

i dont get why you are having a tough choice. maybe i just cant comprehend your reasoning. if i had the talent you did, and had tasted the sweet taste of setting records...i would never turn back

i guess the grass is always greener huh?


i just installed ICQ again, so i'll hit you up in a couple of minutes if you are on

 

[jeremys]

you'd think i'd stick with it. but i think that even questioning sticking with it would be enough to try/deeply consider bodybuilding

i apologize for the number of times i've posted about this. anybody on this board that even sorta knows me knows that i dont try to be annoying. but this is how bad this is. im seriously considering going to a psychiatrist or somebody to help me sort this out

 

[t3c]

its not just you man

i dont fluctuate between bb and pl or strongman. but the way i want to train changes constantly. for example should i free squat or box squat. stuff like that. I feel like i change my mind every day. maybe even every waking hour

i think its just that we are young and its natural for us to be doing it lol

 

[WarriorPL]

Im in the same boat bro... i can't choose.. so i do both, lol

 

[jeremys]

lol tec. maybe. that seems to be the popular opinion

wiz, i wish i could do both w/ full dedication but thats not possible

 

[DrBones]

Jeremy... I feel your pain man....
I'm back and forth like a yoyo... although i never intend on competing in either... I'm back and forth with my diet and bulking/cutting.

As soon as I get lean i feel like a pussy and want to get strong.. as soon as I gain back the weight and look fat again which is when I JUST START to pass my old PRs... I feel like the stay puffed marshmellow man and wanna cut....

My newest diet experiment/solution is to try a modified CKD type bulking diet. I have a some oatmeal with my yogurt in the morning and I refeed usually 2 days a week. Im HOPING... my weight will stay around the same but my LBM goes up while my BF% drops... Like I said.. this is an experiment.. If my strength drops off the face of the planet I will stop.. but I seem to be getting stronger slowly and I've been doing this for 6 weeks...

I suggest you just grow like a weed for now... and then in 3-4 years.. let the cards fall where they may.... im sure you will figure it out in due time... Life is a learning experience... maybe you havn't had all the experiences required to make an educated decision yet... just go with the flow...

Ryan

 

[guldukat]

I suggest you just grow like a weed for now... and then in 3-4 years.. let the cards fall where they may.... im sure you will figure it out in due time... Life is a learning experience... maybe you havn't had all the experiences required to make an educated decision yet... just go with the flow...

Ryan

Excellent advice Bones.

Quick addendum: shrinks aren't like they are on TV. Save your insurance money there Jeremy You'll find the answers you're looking for...believe it or not, you don't have to make up your mind now.

To that end, I don't see that bodybuilding and powerlifting need be mutually exclusive. I think that, if you decide to become a competitive bodybuilder in time, training all-out as a powerlifter now ain't exactly gonna hurt. It didn't hurt Ronnie, Mike Francois, or Franco Columbu after all

 

[thebrute]

dude..you'll find your path and one day it will be clear to you regardless of the risks. it would be me to tell ya to be a powerlifter but if isn't your path then you'll just be delaying the evitable. i was in your shoes once and had a hard time deciding between the two and somehow powerlifting became my path and now i'm following it. someday, you'll find yours...and it will be under your nose the entire time too!! tb

 

[Cuthbert]

Be both. Powerlift, eat clean, keep your activity level high and you will look good.

Nobody says you have to pick one.

 

[thebrute]

Be both. Powerlift, eat clean, keep your activity level high and you will look good.

Nobody says you have to pick one.

this is true and this maybe your path as well......tb

 

[Synpax]

I was going to write what Cuthbert wrote, but he wrote it first and said it better.

CAn't you be seasonal - bulk for your lifting season, cut for your BB season?

 

[louden_swain]

Jeremy. . . make things easy for yourself. . you have already demonstrated great progress and have experienced success.

Just have fun and train. . . train to become bigger and stronger. . its that simple.

A lot of people are confused and think that you have to train for one thing specifically. . this is not the case at all. You can design a program that is suited for bodybuilding, powerlifting, or all around athleticism.

 

[Anakin]

Man, you think you have Mr. O potential and you're bitching? Come on! Seriously, you're lucky. Not that I would like to look like a Mr. O, but I wouldn't mind being able to grow like a weed and stop when I think I'm big enough.

 

[XtremePowerLifter2000]

Jeremy, i have 3 words for you that will solve you every little problem..

CONJUGATED SEQUENCE SYSTEM!

Its a method of Periodization that WS is based on and its the same form that the USSR trained their athletes. The Chinese are the only one's doing it today i do believe.(communist) All it is, is working severl motor task and abilities in squencal phases (Micro cycle 1workout or 1wk of workouts, Meso- 2-8wks, Macro- combination of Meso and Micro cycles) You can train several number of variables during this time like strength, hypertrophy etc.. if you want i can show you my routine. Right now im basing everything on hypertrophy and motor learning. Im still making strength gains, not dieting just watching my intake and leaning up. I'll do this for 6 or so wks, then i'll alter my volume and intensity which will help me train other motor abilites.. ie..Strength, speed strength etc.. Id be more then happy to help you plan out a program.

With this you dont have to worry about which one your doing, you can do both at the same time, get both effects at even a higher degree.


kc

 

[jeremys]

that sounds interesting kyle

i'm going to go ahead and post my routine. i have gained hypertrophy-wise from it and crazy strength. this is what i plan on doing

monday

raw max triple or 5RM

3 board or 2 board to max triple or single (same board for 2-3 weeks)

rows 5x5

maybe pullups 2 x (1 rep short of failure..i suck at these now)

BB shrugs 4 sets

tri pushdowns


tuesday

BB seated shoulder press 4 or 5 sets

DB seated shoulder press 2-3 sets

side lat. raises

cuff and rear delt exercises

BB curls 4-5 sets

hammer curls 2-3 sets


wednesday

squats 5x5
ham curls 3x12-15
quad extensions (or front squats) 2 sets
abs ( 2 sets)


friday

shirted reps to triples and singles then back down

5 board or 4 board to 3RM or single

skulls/ decline DB extensions 3 sets

kelso shrugs/DB shrugs 4 sets

------

hows that look

 

[BPM Osgood]

Hey Bro! Pick up the new Monster Muscle OCT/NOV, they have a article on POWERLIFTING for MASS! It work for both powerlifting and bodybuilding!! I think that this is what you are looking for. I enjoy powerlifting, though most people want the best of both powerlifting and bodybuilding worlds, you can only have one. You can never be MR O. and be a World powerlifting Champion.... But you could be a Worlds Powerlifting Champ and still do well BB meets as well!

If you want to get huge BB will get you there faster, but not all that much faster then PL. I have been powerlifting for 4 1/2 years now, and people ask me at meets do you bodybuild? I have not yet to this day, but just have good genetics for both! I think if you powerlift over time you will see great size, and STRENGTH!!

A lot of people think if they lift 3 months that they are going to be ripping out of they're new t-shirt.... but really the odds are you probley are going to stayed the same size. Size comes with a lot of time, I know that time is no fun, but thats the way it is.

I wish you the best of luck in what ever you chose to do, Let me know which one you go with Bro!

[email protected]

 

[thebrute]

Hey Bro! Pick up the new Monster Muscle OCT/NOV, they have a article on POWERLIFTING for MASS! It work for both powerlifting and bodybuilding!! I think that this is what you are looking for. I enjoy powerlifting, though most people want the best of both powerlifting and bodybuilding worlds, you can only have one. You can never be MR O. and be a World powerlifting Champion.... But you could be a Worlds Powerlifting Champ and still do well BB meets as well!

If you want to get huge BB will get you there faster, but not all that much faster then PL. I have been powerlifting for 4 1/2 years now, and people ask me at meets do you bodybuild? I have not yet to this day, but just have good genetics for both! I think if you powerlift over time you will see great size, and STRENGTH!!

A lot of people think if they lift 3 months that they are going to be ripping out of they're new t-shirt.... but really the odds are you probley are going to stayed the same size. Size comes with a lot of time, I know that time is no fun, but thats the way it is.

I wish you the best of luck in what ever you chose to do, Let me know which one you go with Bro!

[email protected]

i agree..it has an awesome article for doing both. i was asked the same question and i always couldn't see myself competing as a bodybuilder and powerlifting was more for me. maybe later on in life i will do bodybuilding..but powerlifting is my sport. tb