Build Your Foundations

Ectoman · 14-Jun-05, 01:25 PM

I am really eager to know if powerlifting/training are possibly the best ways to start off in achieving size before you move onto bodybuilding. In other words are you more likely to achieve greater hypertrophy with power exercises? I believe Arnold first started this way.

**Firehawk** · 14-Jun-05, 04:13 PM

I've been taught that it's smarter to develop a solid strength base and then if you want to go into the bodybuilding direction you'll be better off. It'll give you something to refine.

candyass · 14-Jun-05, 04:28 PM

Building up your "core of strength" with squats, and deadlifts is a great way to start off. You'll be able to lift more, and the bodybuilding should come a little easier.

**maverick** · 14-Jun-05, 05:19 PM

Max-OT seems like a happy medium.

gcs118 · 15-Jun-05, 12:49 AM

I agree with FH and candy...powerlifting all the way

luke.w · 21-Jun-05, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ectoman

I believe Arnold first started this way.

I usually take what a pro-bodybuilder would say or write with a grain of salt,(most pros for that matter) because of so many decieving things about that world.

I read "the education of a bodybuilder" by Arnold, and he talks about using deadlifts,clean and press, squats to build the foundation first, he also states that Franco Columbo was a powerlifter first, Ronnie Coleman states he was a PLer first, I read a quote from Reg Park stating "if you can mititary press 300lbs why do lateral raises".

I reed iron history.com, witch is home to guys over 60years of age, the've met these guys and have time to dig up old fed. records, the've stated and pulled numbers that Arnold competed in olyimpic and powerlifting in the 60's (before bodybuilding).

I know strength training first would be a good way to be a good bodybuilder, like Firehawk says "strength gains are the key to building muscle", so I believe Arnold and most trained for strength first, theres 2-questions about this, drugs and money, bodybuilding is big bucks, so they do have to sell a training routine or a product, so would Arnold sell Weiders routine first instead of his own? the question goes for all of them under a higher power.

**threenorns** · 21-Jun-05, 01:16 PM

i've decided to go more the powerlifting route: it's fast, it's satisfying, and i love the look on people's faces, lol!

i spent a long time doing bodybuilding type routine and while it does eventually get results, it's too easy for me to overtrain.

DaRkAnGel · 21-Jun-05, 01:27 PM

If you're doing it right... powerlifting should actually take a much greater toll on your body and have a much higher chance of overtraining...

**threenorns** · 21-Jun-05, 01:57 PM

er.... if you're doing it RIGHT it's "easier" to overtrain!?

nope - if you're overtraining, you're doing it wrong, period.

MaxOT, from what i can tell, is more a modified powerlifting regime than a bodybuilding routine and that's the one i'm using with added sled work.

the problem with bodybuilding routines is they use lighter weights and higher reps. results are slower, so it's too easy to keep adding reps and sets trying to get better results. this is just my physiology and mindset, of course, but it's a common one, from what i see.

**maverick** · 21-Jun-05, 02:19 PM

What types of results are slower with bodybuilding routines? Strictly strength I would assume you mean.

**threenorns** · 21-Jun-05, 02:22 PM

strength, muscle size, and fat loss - i gained more muscle and lost more fat in 3wks on max-ot than i ever did, now or before, using standard bodybuilding systems (12-10-8, for example).

Klinger · 21-Jun-05, 02:41 PM

PL lifting style and most Olympic lifts provide the most applicable form of strength. That's why I like it. In real life, the ability to deadlift, clean and press objects is useful. Hypertrophically charged biceps are nice to look at, but life doesn't ask you to curl heavy things too often.

**threenorns** · 21-Jun-05, 02:43 PM

and it's always a giggle to see some guy at the gym with huge muscles having to two-hand a dumbbell that the skinny guy using them next slings around with ease.

DaRkAnGel · 21-Jun-05, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threenorns

er.... if you're doing it RIGHT it's "easier" to overtrain!?

nope - if you're overtraining, you're doing it wrong, period.

MaxOT, from what i can tell, is more a modified powerlifting regime than a bodybuilding routine and that's the one i'm using with added sled work.

the problem with bodybuilding routines is they use lighter weights and higher reps. results are slower, so it's too easy to keep adding reps and sets trying to get better results. this is just my physiology and mindset, of course, but it's a common one, from what i see.

Lower reps stress your CNS more than bodybuilding.

MAX OT is not a modified powerlifting program.

**maverick** · 21-Jun-05, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threenorns

strength, muscle size, and fat loss - i gained more muscle and lost more fat in 3wks on max-ot than i ever did, now or before, using standard bodybuilding systems (12-10-8, for example).

I think you are oversimplifying the "standard" bodybuilding methods here based on your own personal experience. I will readily concede that strength goes to Max-OT (I've been using its principles for the last 5 months), but as for muscle mass, a properly desgined bodybuilding routine including periodization, shocking techniques, and the 4-letter word around here "volume", would most definitely net you more muscle.

Don't get me wrong, I love Max-OT! Its given me the base of strength necessary to seriously pursue some brutal bodybuilding programs.