Client# 200a in Workout Questions and Answers

Client# 200a asks:
“Do you know what the difference between weightlifting, powerlifting and bodybuilding is? Please explain.”

Olympic weightlifting & powerlifting at the core are very similar as it involves heavy weight and getting them up for reps. Powerlifting has three major lifts or the big 3 as they may be known. Squat, Bench Press and Deadlifts. You have three attempts at each lift and the top weight lifted properly is used towards your total.
Powerlifting though is more of gear/equipment competition done to try and help prevent or minimize injuries as contestants are allowed knee sleeves singlets special shoes and wraps as well if they like unless done in what’s called Raw( No lifting gear used). Raw powerlifting however is not as common competition wise sadly.

Olympic weightlifting though gear can be used offers different lifts like the snatch as well as clean and jerk lifts making it a bit more widely viewable to audiences. It comes across as a more fluid lifting competition due to the lifts used in it. The biggest differences between olympic and powerlifting is in the lifts themselves and the training for the events. Olympic lifts tend to require more explosive movement than powerlifting as well as great flexibility and range of motion.

Bodybuilding- Bodybuilding is focused on the bodies (aesthetic) looks as bodybuilding competitions are all about size symmetry and overall physique on stage as they pose for judges. The big three lifts mentioned in powerlifting are still incorporated here but more isolation exercise tend to come into play to develop the body taking a fine tooth comb style to it vs a number focus. Diet is much heavier in bodybuilding than in the other two as fat loss and a lean stage ready physique are at the core of this whole sport.

Last updated March 12, 2019