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Powerlifting vs Bodybuilding diet [Article]

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Nov 6, 2019 9:30:00 AM

Powerlifting vs bodybuilding diet

Powerlifting vs bodybuilding diet

 
A bodybuilding diet will be harder to follow and more detailed. Powerlifting diets are easier to follow and maintain, as you are looking for a balanced diet that makes you strong rather than starving and force-feeding yourself spending on the time of year. 
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What is your goal 

 
Before we go into the details of the diets of powerlifting vs bodybuilding, let me ask you a couple of questions: 
 
  • Why do you want to diet
  • Why do you want to change your body?
  • What happens when you do 
  • What happens if you don’t 
 
These questions matter for your long term success or failure. Research shows that people who write down their goals and reflect on them are more likely to achieve them. When was theist time you did this? Can you even remember? Many people go about their lives like this: 
 
  • What do I want 
  • How do I get it 
  • Why do I want it 
 
This is a great way to go nowhere. What you want changes hundreds of times a day depending on what you see, smell, hear, taste and feel. Making this the center of attention will make you run in every direction and arrive nowhere. Your resources will be spread thin and your time scattered between too many activities. Something interesting happens when you switch the running order of these questions: 
 
  • Why do you want something 
  • How do you get it 
  • What needs to be done 
 
This way your long term goals come into focus. Your thoughts and actions will become more connected and success more likely. If you want to know how this works on a psychological basis read Daniel Kahneman's thinking fast and slow. Simon Sinek's TED talk on the golden circle will change your life. 
 
 

Powerlifting 

 
Powerlifting is the sport of the total. Your total consists of three lifts. These are the bench press, squat, and deadlift. For each lift, you get three attempts. The best attempt on each lift will be counted towards your total. Based on your total you will be ranked against your competitors. 
 
A big difference to lifting in the gym is that you will be judged. Three referees observe your lifts from different angles. They decide whether you performed according to the standards of the federation you are competing in. Two out of three referees have to agree for your attempt to qualify. You need at least one qualifying attempt for each lift to make it on the board. 
 
Your total usually splits into 40/40/20. The squat and deadlift contribute 40% each while the bench press adds 20%. You want to have strong legs for this sport. 
 
In powerlifting, you need to have enough energy to perform your lifts while making your weight class. The heavier you are the easier it will become for you to lift heavy weights. 
 

Bodybuilding 

 
Bodybuilding mainly focuses on appearances. The times when bodybuilders had to perform feats of strength to win are over. Usually, you will be judged on these parameters: 
 
  • Size of your muscles 
  • Definition of your muscles 
  • The symmetry of your physique 
  • Stage presence 
  • Choreography 
  • Presentation 
 
And many other factors depending on which federation you are competing in. Bodybuilders can be a bit more extreme about their diet as they do not need to keep reserves to perform on the stage. There are no big weights to lift so you can dehydrate your body to a higher level. 
 

Important factors for your diet 

 
What is important about dieting is that many people get it arseways based on how they are being marketed to. There is no quick fix through sole magic powder or pill. Yes, supplements can help, but they are the least important component to a successful diet. More important points are: 
 
  • Knowing your weight and fat goals
  • Have a clear idea of how many calories you are allowed to consume/ need to consume 
  • Have a strict cooking plan 
  • Weighing your ingredients 
  • Counting calories 
  • Taking care of your macronutrients 
 
It is way more important to know your body, what goals you have and an idea of how aggressive they are. Rather than spending hours on researching the magical pill, put the time into a proper meal plan and learn how to batch cook on the weekend. This will make all the difference. 
 

Powerlifting or bodybuilding diet 

 
A bodybuilding diet will usually be a lot more extreme than a powerlifting diet. To be successful in powerlifting it helps to cut down one weight class before entering the competition but that is as far as dieting goes. To be successful in bodybuilding the extremes between consuming tons of calories and starving yourself are more frequent and commonplace. You will need a lot more discipline for your diet in bodybuilding than in powerlifting to have a successful career. 

Topics: Powerlifting