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Power Lifting or Muscle Building - Which One Is Right For Me?

Before starting a weightlifting program you need to make some decisions regarding what you want to accomplish. There are many different styles of weightlifting and these different styles will accomplish different things. You could break the main styles of weightlifting down into two categories: bodybuilding and powerlifting. These types of weight lifting offer different benefits depending on what your goals are.

What are your goals with weightlifting?

If you are looking to achieve power and strength then you should consider a powerlifting routine. Powerlifting comprises what it says - lifting weights to gain power. There are three major lifts in powerlifting - the bench press, squat and deadlift. A powerlifting routine will center itself around training to improve these lifts. If you are looking to achieve a sculpted body with ripped muscles then you will want to perform a bodybuilding routine. Bodybuilding routines focus on developing the look of your individual muscles by toning and shaping them. These muscle building workouts will help you achieve muscle definition so you can look your best in your summer beach wear!

So what's the difference between a powerlifting routine and a bodybuilding routine?

The basic answer to that question is this - a powerlifting routine is centered around low repetition and lower sets while a bodybuilding routine is focused on higher repetitions and higher sets per body part. For example, when working on developing the bench press lift a power lifter may do some variation of the following: Bench press, Incline bench press, Military press, Bent-Over-Rows and Skull crushers. Sets and repetitions may look like this - 4 to 6 sets of 4 to 6 repetitions of each exercise. The amount of weight lifted should force you to struggle to complete each set and each repetition to constantly challenge the muscles. This type of lifting strengthens the muscles and makes you stronger. There are several different exercises that can be substituted for your various body parts. You will have to pick and choose depending on your weak areas and what you need to develop to maximize your core lifts.

A bodybuilder will typically perform several exercises at higher reps and sets per body part. So staying with the above chest example a bodybuilding routine may look like this: same exercises as described above but the sets and repetitions would be in the range of 6 to 8 sets of 8 to 12 repetitions. In order to lift weights at more sets and repetitions you need to adjust the amount of weight you are lifting. This type of lifting tones and shapes your muscles and provides definition. You will gain strength when performing a bodybuilding routine, just not at quickly or as much as if you were powerlifting.

So where should you start?

If you are new to weightlifting then my advice would be to start with a muscle building workout (i.e., a bodybuilding routine). I say this because this type of routine uses less weight. You won't be inclined to try and lift more than you are capable of lifting. You will be able to focus on learning how to perform each exercise properly, with good form. This will help you prevent injury and will maximize your muscle development. When you are ready to increase your weights you will be able to better handle the additional poundage's with less risk of injury. Your muscles typically will not be performing at their maximum efficiency during the first 3 to 4 months of training. After 3 to 4 months of training your muscle contractions become more efficient so with each contraction you are recruiting a greater number of muscle fibers. So an experienced weightlifter gets more benefit from a lift than an inexperienced weightlifter.

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Have you been trying to teach yourself about the best way to weight train by reading the mainstream muscle magazines? Are you thoroughly confused at this point? If so, discover the truth about building muscle, burning fat and weight training your way to a sculpted physique.

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