Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below I've only been lifting now for about a month. I do it for two reasons. 1. Is for getting bigger and looking better, and 2. Is because I am going to start going to my high school power lifting meets. There is a lot of information on what lifts to do for strength and what to do for looks. I'm looking for opinions on what kinds of lifts to do if i want strength and looks. Thanks for any type of response.
Looks vs. Strength help
- Thread starter treap
- Start date
SlavikHavik
New member
Compound movements, and low bf% and youll have both of those
wnt2bBeast
New member
yepBOOEY said:
chuck vogelpohl is pretty damn lean and squats a grand
mrplunkey
New member
If you are just getting started, I'd recommend focusing on strength first. Do lots of multi-joint movements (i.e. bench, squats, military press). You have a unique advantage right now though -- hook up with someone who can teach you *really* good form now, and try like crazy to stick with that form. Given that you stick to good form, enjoy that early ramp-up where you get stronger relatively fast. Later on you'll start hitting plateaus -- so enjoy your early experiences now.
Then... once your numbers are up and you begin to stabilize, you can start playing with your ratio of body fat and strength. When you cut your calories back you will probably lose some strength, and the trade-off varies from person-to-person. Over time, you'll understand your own trade-offs better and may want to vary routines and diet in cycles. For example, eat big and do heavier sets/lower reps for 6 weeks, then back-off your calories some and try to hold-on to your lifting numbers (realizing that they may slide... and that's when you have to stick to your guns and drop weight insead of cheating on the lifts with bad form).
I have to balance strength and look myself. I want to put up decent numbers in the weight room, but I have to also be ready to look "normal" in a business suit at the drop of a hat. My lifting patterns normally run in 6 week cycles, ranging from super-high volume "get pretty" routines down to super low-volume "get nasty" routines.
Then... once your numbers are up and you begin to stabilize, you can start playing with your ratio of body fat and strength. When you cut your calories back you will probably lose some strength, and the trade-off varies from person-to-person. Over time, you'll understand your own trade-offs better and may want to vary routines and diet in cycles. For example, eat big and do heavier sets/lower reps for 6 weeks, then back-off your calories some and try to hold-on to your lifting numbers (realizing that they may slide... and that's when you have to stick to your guns and drop weight insead of cheating on the lifts with bad form).
I have to balance strength and look myself. I want to put up decent numbers in the weight room, but I have to also be ready to look "normal" in a business suit at the drop of a hat. My lifting patterns normally run in 6 week cycles, ranging from super-high volume "get pretty" routines down to super low-volume "get nasty" routines.
Tom Treutlein
New member
Focus on the core exercises only. Learn to exercise your body outside one-dimensional planes of movement. Whether you want size or strength, compound lifts are the ones you should be using. I'm not about to say isolation should be scrapped, but until you reach your desired weight, stick to compound. Tweak the frame afterwards; build the foundation now.
MsBeverlyHills
New member
lifing for looks vs. strength??? LOL.
no offense but your either good looking or your not
no offense but your either good looking or your not
royale13ii
New member
MsBeverlyHills said:lifing for looks vs. strength??? LOL.
no offense but your either good looking or your not
lol
