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Powerlifting vs Crossfit [Article]

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Nov 12, 2019 9:30:00 AM

Powerlifting vs CrossFit

Powerlifting vs CrossFit 

 
If you want to compete with others directly and work on your general fitness go with CrossFit. If you want to compete against yourself and focus on raw strength go with powerlifting
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What is your why 

 
Before we go into the details of powerlifting vs CrossFit let me ask you a couple of questions: 
 
  • Why do you want to train 
  • Why do you want to change your body 
  • What happens when you do 
  • What happens if you don’t 
 
These are the questions which matter most for your success. Research shows that people who write down their goals and reflect on them are more likely to achieve them. When was the last time you did this? Can you even remember? If you can’t, get yourself a pen and paper and get going. Many people think about their lives like this: 
 
  • What do I want 
  • How do I get it 
  • Why do I want it 
 
This is a good way to tear yourself apart from the inside. What you want changes hundreds of times a day based on what you see, hear, taste and smell. If you make this the center of attention you will only chase your short term goals. This was good when we all lived among the animals and food was scarce. In a world of abundance, this might not be the road to everlasting happiness. Do you want that McDonald’s binge meal right now because your boss shouted at you? Yes, of course. Do you want those sweets because you are bored and the next Game of Thrones episode is a week away? Definitely. Will this get you what really makes you happy long term? Probably not. Following what you want will leave you with your resources spread thin and time scattered between too many activities. Something interesting happens when you flip the running order of these questions on their head: 
 
  • Why do you want something 
  • How do you get it 
  • What needs to be done 
 
This will focus you on your long term goals. Your thoughts and actions will become more connected and success will follow. If you want to know how this works on a psychological level read Daniel Kahneman's thinking fast and slow. Simon Sinek's TED talk on the golden circle will change your life
 
It all starts with better habits and rituals. If found keeping a journal to e tremendously helpful. The best one I could find was the self journal from best self. I have been using it for two years and my marriage and salary have increased dramatically since then.
 

What is your goal 

 
When you compare powerlifting and CrossFit this usually signifies that you are not too sure about your goals. The clearer your goals are, the easier it will become for you to decide which one of the two is better suited to your needs. In fitness people usually pursue one of these three goals: 
 
  • Increase performance 
  • Look better 
  • Get healthier 
 
If your answer is all of them, then get a little more specific by prioritizing them. If getting healthier is number one priority number one powerlifting and CrossFit might both not be for you. Both sports do not necessarily breed the healthiest mindsets in the world based on how extreme they are. 
 
If you want to look better I would ask you first to define what that actually means to you. More often than not the answer to that question is that you want to get ripped or go down a dress size. That is cool, but the main lever to achieve this goal is your diet. Not necessarily what you do in the gym. Better physiques (in terms of magazine covers and movies) are made in the kitchen, not in the gym. Just do cardio for twenty minutes each day and stick to your diet rigorously. 
 
When it comes to increasing performance you can work with powerlifitng or CrossFit. Here you have to ask yourself what attributes actually improve your performance and where you are lacking. Very heavy athletes will usually lean towards powerlifting to work further on their strength. Most athletes who have to be more agile will do well with CrossFit workouts besides their core athletic training. 
 
To say what is better or worse is very specific to each athlete. So think first what your end goal is and lay out your training accordingly. 
 

Powerlifting 

 
Powerlifting is the sport of the total. Your total consists of three lifts. These three lifts are the bench press, squat, and deadlift. For each lift, you get three attempts. The best attempt for 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 will observe your performance from different angles. They decide whether you executed the lifts 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 one qualifying attempt for each lift to make it on the board. Otherwise you will be disqualified. 
 
Your total usually splits into 40/40/20. Your squat and deadlift usually contribute 40 percent each while the bench press adds 20 percent. This can vary between individuals and holds generally true. 
 
Powerlifting is great to increase your raw power. You will also stay relatively injury free.  It is less technical than CrossFit and can be done at many fitness levels and ages. 
 

CrossFit 

 
CrossFit’s goal is to create the fittest people on earth. For the sport this means the most adaptable person to any kind of physical exercise you throw at them. Whether it is specific to their training or not. This is why CrossFit workouts of the day have so many variations and permutations. 
 
If you want to get a good insight into the sport watch the Netflix documentary the redeemed and dominant. This will give you a good overview of what the sport is like. CrossFit will make you ready for any situation and teach you many different skills. Most exercises are performed and measured against time which keeps intensity high. This is great for getting results and making you resilient. 
 
The downside of CrossFit is that it is a lot more likely to get Injured than in powerlifting. You will perform new or unfamiliar motor patterns under high pressure. This is a great setup to get injured. Especially for beginners who are less resistant to strenuous exercise. 
 

Powerlifting vs CrossFit 

 
It all depends on your goals. CrossFit will get you ready for a wider range of scenarios and sports, but is more intense and likely to injure you. Powerlifting is popular among athletes who already went through a major injury as they can still compete, but with no other competitors chasing them around. 

Topics: Powerlifting