Some Thoughts on Powerlifting

[Dig]

Some Thoughts on Powerlifting​

BY NEIL DEIGHTON​

Last weekend i travelled up to the middle of beyond to watch my good friend, Jim Nuttall compete in a strongman competition. Jim and I used to train together for a few years, headbutting bars, tearing calluses and breaking bones alongside some of the greats of powerlifting such as the deadlift machine Andy Bolton and all round freak Brian Reynolds just to name a couple.

Jim was squatting around 430kg, benched 330kg and deadlifted 355kg in the fat boy class, all as a junior (U'23) claiming world records along the way. I had managed to take the world record total in the junior U90kg class with a 912.5kg total and also a world record benchpress of 305kg.

So this article is basically going to discuss how great we both are, and how you guys can be more like us. Actually it's not, you wouldnt want to be like us, Jim suffers the affliction of having a micro penis and he actually got into strength sports to channel that inevitable pent up anger (well im sure he said something along those lines anyway....), and me, well im just an annoying shrek look-a-like- at least according to my girlfriend.

What i want to discuss are a few things we talked about as we both had similar ideas mainly about powerlifting but also just general stuff about training. Some will agree, but going to keep this real so many others wont, it is what it is......

1) Equipped powerlifting has lost its edge!

Back a few years ago you had the WPO, lots of top lifters all coming together for one big event, music pumping, huge packed out venue and prize money for the lifters. We talked about Ryan Kennelly's 'Road to the Arnold' DVD and the fact that the actual competition looked exciting! And lets be honest making a benchpress event look exciting takes some doing!!!

Ah but it will get bigger again, something will come along.....nope cant see it happening. You have supertraining gym's Mark Bell putting on comps that attract some top lifters but is the attraction the next 1000lb equipped bench or 1300lb squat?? No it's Stan Efferding, it's Spoto, Green etc - when you see these guys throwing up insane weights without the suits just getting ....

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[jj1981]

good read dig , i know all to well about lack of sleep, and ive hit a few PBs after nightshifts with 4hrs sleep so its no excuse, but not ideal either.

 

[JimmyF]

Fukin great post neil, spot on too, tbh I don't think theres a word i can disagree with, I think no matter how superior some think they are...there's always someone around the corner to smash their total and make them feel small again lol, the future is definetely raw imo, spot on about how the Green's, Lilliebridges are making it more mainstream, great read bud.

One question bud, I think I know the answer, but if u picked one fed, which one would it have been for you to get your record bench and total? were u happy with the fed you did it with? Ive seen some snide remarks about how a big fuck off squat in one fed isn't as complete as doing it in other certain ones, Im sure you'll know what I mean.

 

[Little Simon]

Good stuff @Dig, enjoyed that mate!

Agree regarding the equipped stuff.

Was speaking to Merat the other day at Genesis, he prefers the raw training now too.

Also reminds me of Wendlers 5-3-1 where he echo's your thoughts and not really feeling that strong out of his suit. He said he could waddle up to a platform and lift in his suit, but do fuck all else.

A few other powerlifters have said the same about equipped lifting not improving their raw maxes.

I agree there's nothing easy about equipped lifting and deserves respect but sometimes you just want to watch someone lift the damn weight without wondering which ply suit they were wearing etc etc etc

 

[Dig]

Fukin great post neil, spot on too, tbh I don't think theres a word i can disagree with, I think no matter how superior some think they are...there's always someone around the corner to smash their total and make them feel small again lol, the future is definetely raw imo, spot on about how the Green's, Lilliebridges are making it more mainstream, great read bud.

One question bud, I think I know the answer, but if u picked one fed, which one would it have been for you to get your record bench and total? were u happy with the fed you did it with? Ive seen some snide remarks about how a big fuck off squat in one fed isn't as complete as doing it in other certain ones, Im sure you'll know what I mean.

Within the next year someone you've never yet heard of will take the record off Dan Green, happens time and time again. Look at Spotto coming out of nowhere. Then you hear how top bbers like Alvin Small was repping 6 plates on the bench, there are freaks everywhere.

IPF mate as most prestigious fed and by far most strength in depth. Hated the actual comps though myself weren't as fun.

 

[JimmyF]

Within the next year someone you've never yet heard of will take the record off Dan Green, happens time and time again. Look at Spotto coming out of nowhere. Then you hear how top bbers like Alvin Small was repping 6 plates on the bench, there are freaks everywhere.

IPF mate as most prestigious fed and by far most strength in depth. Hated the actual comps though myself weren't as fun.

I agree about someone taking on Green, always somebody to come along and replace someone else, I think its fair to say there are some massively strong bodybuilders out there tbh that do deserve respect and tbh in a way glad they stick to what they do as might be some big upsets.

One thing ive come to notice, why is it eastern europeans favour the sumo deadlift over conventional, not sure what percentage it would be but seems a lot of the top lifters opt for that technique, do you think its just the way they train a route they take becasue of where they are from and training principles?

 

[Greyphantom]

Alright mate I get the hint, my accomplishments dont mean anythings *sobs* its ok... I think my cat still loves me *looks over at cat* nope hes snuggled up next to our cockatiel who has just finished screeching at me "who's a big girl"...

nice write up, some food for thought so will think a min or two on it before writing anything inane

 

[Dig]

I agree about someone taking on Green, always somebody to come along and replace someone else, I think its fair to say there are some massively strong bodybuilders out there tbh that do deserve respect and tbh in a way glad they stick to what they do as might be some big upsets.

One thing ive come to notice, why is it eastern europeans favour the sumo deadlift over conventional, not sure what percentage it would be but seems a lot of the top lifters opt for that technique, do you think its just the way they train a route they take becasue of where they are from and training principles?

Agree, plenty of bbers that are strong as hell!

Noticed that myself re sumo deads, super cup of titans etc most use sumo it seems. Perhaps just down to it allowing less ROM so potentially bigger numbers? Perhaps allows them to handle the volume a lot of these guys use without frying lower back to the extent conv pulls would? Would be interesting to hear why from one of the coaches out there though!

 

[Beast]

Excellent post mate!
BB has always been my thing but recently been finding pl much more interesting, probably due to guys like yourself and @JimmyF among many others putting up some real good posts and info about pl. What i will say though in regard to your post is that there are so many parallels between bb and pl, yeah there are pricks in both but thankfully imo and experience only in a minority!
From a relative newcomer to having an interest in pl, i would say i find raw lifting much more real and exciting, that's not taking anything away from equipped lifting, like you say it's certainly a science in itself and deserves huge respect but it's just imo much more impressive watching a bloke stroll in off the street so to speak and launch a massive weight against the force of gravity. It's made me re-evaluate my training in recent months in that i'm focusing on some pl training along with my Mentzer heavy duty mainstay and i feel like i'm making decent progress especially as i'm now beginning to string some consistency into my workout frequency. Guys like Dan Green show what kind of physique can be achieved by lifting heavy and consistently but relatively basic compared to many complex bb routines. Young guys starting out should seriously take heed of this imo, they won't go far wrong and the building of a very solid foundation will be theirs whether they choose to do either bb or pl. Basic and brutal is best!
Some bb are outrageously strong, i've personally seem some squatting and deadlifting ridiculous stuff while dieting for a show but guys who go between bb, pl and strongman seem quite rare these days, guys like Gary Taylor and Eddie Ellwood seem a distant memory but you never know as you also say who's gonna rumble into a contest and cause a major upset.

 

[JimmyF]

Agree, plenty of bbers that are strong as hell!

Noticed that myself re sumo deads, super cup of titans etc most use sumo it seems. Perhaps just down to it allowing less ROM so potentially bigger numbers? Perhaps allows them to handle the volume a lot of these guys use without frying lower back to the extent conv pulls would? Would be interesting to hear why from one of the coaches out there though!

I know Jay Hollingsworth pulls sumo solely on fact he recovers faster so could well be a good point, and we know the eastern block do like their squatting routines lol.
Id love to be able to pull that way but its just too technical for me atm, i gave it a go but u torn me a new arse on form mate lmao, might ive it a go but id have thought being short it would be beneficial as like u say Neil the rom is reduced rather a lot! Its just im not sure im strong enough on my lower half yet to be pulling what I am convnetional.

 

[JimmyF]

Also think Brandon kind of rebranding westside to the raw masses and incorporating a bodybuilding aspect to it has opened avenues, il be honest, following his routine for 4 weeks now my body has changed again for the better shape wise cos im training with more volume and hitting muscles id kind of given up on so its a more complete routine, someone following his cube routine which i admit is nothing new, just chopped n rebranded, can actually be strong and actually look good too, whereas many routines do neglect some aspects.

 

[TAFKA]

whats your (or anyones) view on starting in the sport?

not necessarily something I would be interested in but I have spoke to a few lads in the gym who have been interested in it but feel ''silly'' in their words as they seem weak...

one lad was telling me he wanted to get into it but couldn't bench 100kg yet, and was waiting until he had a better total, suppose its a bit like bb waiting to gain enough mass for a comp... many tell them no point if they look daft on stage, what is the pl group like? heard its more friendly and encouraging!

is there a basic level of strength the beginner should gain first to not look '' silly'' as he put it

 

[Greyphantom]

whats your (or anyones) view on starting in the sport?

not necessarily something I would be interested in but I have spoke to a few lads in the gym who have been interested in it but feel ''silly'' in their words as they seem weak...

one lad was telling me he wanted to get into it but couldn't bench 100kg yet, and was waiting until he had a better total, suppose its a bit like bb waiting to gain enough mass for a comp... many tell them no point if they look daft on stage, what is the pl group like? heard its more friendly and encouraging!

is there a basic level of strength the beginner should gain first to not look '' silly'' as he put it

from my point of view I would say get the technique right and just do it... I also thought my weights were too low for lifting in a comp... got talked into it (read ordered to do it) and never looked back... my bench sucks arse... but its about making progress more than lifting massive weights from the get go at least imho...

 

[welshguy84]

whats your (or anyones) view on starting in the sport?

not necessarily something I would be interested in but I have spoke to a few lads in the gym who have been interested in it but feel ''silly'' in their words as they seem weak...

one lad was telling me he wanted to get into it but couldn't bench 100kg yet, and was waiting until he had a better total, suppose its a bit like bb waiting to gain enough mass for a comp... many tell them no point if they look daft on stage, what is the pl group like? heard its more friendly and encouraging!

is there a basic level of strength the beginner should gain first to not look '' silly'' as he put it

One thing I will say from my experiences is that PL is a very friendly sport and welcomes anyone of all abilities.

Good post dig and some very good points.

The whole raw and equipped thing is interesting, I was always of the view that I wouldn't ever do equipped but that didn't last long but I think that was more to do with the opportunity that presented itself in terms of training with some experienced guys and no doubt I will eventually go back to competing RAW.




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[Con]

Powerlifting unlike bodybuilding welcomes all lifters.
You will never get laughed at even if you can only lift the bar.

Nice article Digster!