This argument is a mute point at best. Everyone has their own opinion and it is as valid as the next. I personally have been on both sides of the fence. I started off in a bodybuilder...now I have found my true calling as a powerlifter. I know what it takes to get to a very low bodyfat %. FTR the lowest I ever got was 6%. I have to say that for me personally it is a hell of a lot harder to lift heavy weights than to be ripped...but that's just me.
Besides comparing the two doesn't make sense...just cause we use the same equipment to reach our goals doesn't mean that we can make a valid comparison between the two disciplines.
Bodybuilders lift weights to build muscle...powerlifters build their muscles to lift heavy weight.
And for those that said that powerlifters are jealous because bodybuilders have washboard abs...ever check out the 181 or 198 pound class or even the 220's. Believe it or not, not every powerlifter is "fat ass" that lifts in the SHW class. Besides that at 330 pounds how ripped do you think that some bodybuilders would be...ever see them in the off season. If these "fat asses", as they were called, dieted down for that ripped look they would lose tons of leverage...which would defeat the purpose of their training.
"In w&p lifting there is no measure of how hard you have worked but bodybuilding there is dieting,carb loading,training and intensity"
Actually there is a way to measure...its called weight on the bar. If you've done the work you'll lift the weight. If not you'll miss and possibly get hurt. Do bodybuilders have to worry about getting injured at their competition. Does that mean that their commitment to their sport is greater than bodybuilders...no...just different.
It really doesn't matter though. Just find what you want to do and GO FOR IT!! The only person I have to compare myself to is me. As long as I am better than I was yesterday that's all I can do.