strength

**Twist** · 06-12-2011, 04:40 PM

Why does strength matter? I know the benefits of being strong but why abnormal strength?

This is branching off of marcus' thread and response from buffgator. I didn't wanna hijack

**Bigd89** · 06-12-2011, 04:42 PM

I would just LOVE to manhandle some asshole. Im like a bully, a real nice bully though lol.

***D7M*** · 06-12-2011, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by Twist

Why does strength matter? I know the benefits of being strong but why abnormal strength?

This is branching off of marcus' thread and response from buffgator. I didn't wanna hijack

Strength precedes size

Originally Posted by Bigd89

I would just LOVE to manhandle some asshole.

**Bigd89** · 06-12-2011, 04:46 PM

Not gay...bi curious maybe. JK!

**bjpennnn** · 06-12-2011, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by Twist

Why does strength matter? I know the benefits of being strong but why abnormal strength?

This is branching off of marcus' thread and response from buffgator. I didn't wanna hijack

zombie apocalypse

**lifter65** · 06-12-2011, 05:17 PM

because it just feels so damn good to get a pr!

**BgMc31** · 06-12-2011, 05:47 PM

Because I compete in powerlifting and strongman. Its fun for me and its an outlet to keep my competitive fire burning. I've been a top athlete all my life to just stop being that is nearly impossible for me.

**Twist** · 06-12-2011, 05:48 PM

Why does it matter to sacrifice some weight for better looks?

**BgMc31** · 06-12-2011, 05:51 PM

I don't care about looks. I'm a good looking guy. I married a model. Life is good. My looks aren't going to win me money or trophies or get me endorsements. My size and strength will.

BG · 06-12-2011, 05:52 PM

I love being strong, its a little guy thing. I love out lifting or use the same dumbbells as the guys I train with who are 30lbs heavier. Also when Im real strong....I can get a real sick work out in.

**Twist** · 06-12-2011, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by BgMc31

Because I compete in powerlifting and strongman. Its fun for me and its an outlet to keep my competitive fire burning. I've been a top athlete all my life to just stop being that is nearly impossible for me.

This, to me, is the only logical answer.

I get the feeling from big guys I talk to that they feel they can never look great so they would rather strive to lift heavy. If they try to look more in shape then they sacrifice the strength and are therefore not best at anything. But when you factor in size, most of these guys aren't even impressive. The exception is always real powerlifters.

**Twist** · 06-12-2011, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by BG

I love being strong, its a little guy thing. I love out lifting or use the same dumbbells as the guys I train with who are 30lbs heavier. Also when Im real strong....I can get a real sick work out in.

Yeah but BG you have the looks. I doubt you would sacrifice looks for more strength. Would you take 5% more bf if it meant you could bench 90lbs more?

**pheenyx1** · 06-12-2011, 05:59 PM

It feels good to be able to pick your girl up and carry her around without having to strain. Girlfriends have told me they like it too.

**Twist** · 06-12-2011, 06:00 PM

That shouldn't be an issue...
How heavy is your girl lol?

**BgMc31** · 06-12-2011, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by Twist

This, to me, is the only logical answer.

I get the feeling from big guys I talk to that they feel they can never look great so they would rather strive to lift heavy. If they try to look more in shape then they sacrifice the strength and are therefore not best at anything. But when you factor in size, most of these guys aren't even impressive. The exception is always real powerlifters.

It always seems to be the smaller guys who claim this. A 600lb raw bench press is a 600lb raw bench press, I don't care if you weigh 400lbs. Is a 600lb bench press more impressive if a 200lb guy does it, probably, but it doesn't happen because a 200lb guy will never bench 600lbs raw. Robert Wilkerson squatted 1000lbs Raw, and a 198lb guy did the same weight with a ton of equipment. If that same 198lb tried 1000lbs with no gear, he'd be crushed. Big Rob is 400lbs and his body is built to handle that much weight without the assistance of gear. So any big weight moved by anyone is impressive to a strength athlete.

As far as looking good. To a strength athlete, we aren't on a vanity level. We are strength athletes and I'm sure if we put the same effort into dieting that we put into pushing big weight, we could look good, but why? You seem to be suggesting that we chose powerlifting because we didn't feel we could attain a certain 'look'. Nothing could be further from the truth. When I was playing pro football, I was 265lbs with 10-12% bodyfat. Abs showing, vascular, etc. But all the running I did kept me lean. I didn't care about looking good, it wasn't my physique that made me money, it was my ability to make tackles. I still don't care about looks, cause it's not making me money. My ability to move massive amounts of weight is.

**buffgator** · 06-12-2011, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by Twist

Why does strength matter? I know the benefits of being strong but why abnormal strength?

This is branching off of marcus' thread and response from buffgator. I didn't wanna hijack

yea I digressed that thread very fast lol

**Twist** · 06-12-2011, 06:09 PM

I'm not talking about the guys who compete, I get that. I'm talking about the guys who don't try and get leaner because their bench might drop. I'm looking for someone to explain this point of view. If I was 20%bf but could bench 365, I would take a 50lb drop in bench to get to 15%, and I would take a further drop to get lower.

**buffgator** · 06-12-2011, 06:10 PM

For me it just has to do with competing in strongman. Once im done with that I dont think Ill really care how strong I am just if I am happy with how I look. I started out at the age of 14 lifting weights, I was obsessed with body building. For years it never even crossed my mind to care how strong I was just how I looked. Then I met a pro strongman and he said dude your 6'3" with a descent sized bone structure, your genetics arent for bodybuilding its for strongman. So thats how I got converted. Ive been 250lbs with abs and spiderweb veins all through my body. I hated not feeling thick and powerfull. I wanted to feel like I could run through a wall if I had to and I didnt feel it at 250lbs

**buffgator** · 06-12-2011, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by Twist

I'm not talking about the guys who compete, I get that. I'm talking about the guys who don't try and get leaner because their bench might drop. I'm looking for someone to explain this point of view. If I was 20%bf but could bench 365, I would take a 50lb drop in bench to get to 15%, and I would take a further drop to get lower.

its an ego thing....they pride theirselves on how strong they are and not their looks. Honestly if I didnt compete I would give up 100-150lbs off all my lifts if I could trade it for 10%bf

**Twist** · 06-12-2011, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by buffgator

For me it just has to do with competing in strongman. Once im done with that I dont think Ill really care how strong I am just if I am happy with how I look. I started out at the age of 14 lifting weights, I was obsessed with body building. For years it never even crossed my mind to care how strong I was just how I looked. Then I met a pro strongman and he said dude your 6'3" with a descent sized bone structure, your genetics arent for bodybuilding its for strongman. So thats how I got converted.

I had no idea you wanna compete in strongman. Honestly, I think powerlifting is gay... But I think strongman is sick. Just the suits and stuff in powerlifting and the 1/4 rep ranges and shit is just stupid to me. Don't mean to offend anyone. Strongman is sick.

I have been thinking a lot lately about trying to go for more strength but I can't figure out a reason to do so. I'm hoping that it would bring up my looks and physique but if not its just a waste of time.

**BgMc31** · 06-12-2011, 06:17 PM

I just don't think people are as obsessed with their looks are you are Twist. Some people like being big and strong, regardless of competitiveness. Maybe it's because they like what their kids say to their friends, maybe their wives like it, maybe they can brag at work that they can move the most concrete bags or lumber. Not everyone has the time or money to watch what they eat and when they eat...

**BgMc31** · 06-12-2011, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by Twist

I had no idea you wanna compete in strongman. Honestly, I think powerlifting is gay... But I think strongman is sick. Just the suits and stuff in powerlifting and the 1/4 rep ranges and shit is just stupid to me. Don't mean to offend anyone. Strongman is sick.

I have been thinking a lot lately about trying to go for more strength but I can't figure out a reason to do so. I'm hoping that it would bring up my looks and physique but if not its just a waste of time.

Are you serious dude? Coming from a guy who talks about good? Really? Just busting your balls, brotha. Anyway, powerlifting is starting to move away from all the gear. Serious powerlifting is now reverting back to raw. Those are the most popular events. Check out the Olympia and Arnold powerlifting comps. The biggest draws come from the raw lifters.

I compete in both raw powerlifting and strongman. I use powerlifting to make me a better strongman and most strongmen do that.

**buffgator** · 06-12-2011, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by Twist

I had no idea you wanna compete in strongman. Honestly, I think powerlifting is gay... But I think strongman is sick. Just the suits and stuff in powerlifting and the 1/4 rep ranges and shit is just stupid to me. Don't mean to offend anyone. Strongman is sick.

I have been thinking a lot lately about trying to go for more strength but I can't figure out a reason to do so. I'm hoping that it would bring up my looks and physique but if not its just a waste of time.

Honestly twist if your looks are your thing I wouldnt strive to be incredibly strong because it wears the body out fast. I would add intesity with things like drop sets, super sets, negatives instead of always trying to up the weight

**buffgator** · 06-12-2011, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by BgMc31

Are you serious dude? Coming from a guy who talks about good? Really? Just busting your balls, brotha. Anyway, powerlifting is starting to move away from all the gear. Serious powerlifting is now reverting back to raw. Those are the most popular events. Check out the Olympia and Arnold powerlifting comps. The biggest draws come from the raw lifters.

I compete in both raw powerlifting and strongman. I use powerlifting to make me a better strongman and most strongmen do that.

Same here BgMc.....I powerlift through the winters always raw, and then Ill do my event training march-nationals

**BgMc31** · 06-12-2011, 06:28 PM

Buffgator, I hear Callie (Nicks Wife) is trying to put together a contest for October, here in VEgas. You down? I plan on making my comeback at that contest. Maybe we can meet!!

**buffgator** · 06-12-2011, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by BgMc31

Buffgator, I hear Callie (Nicks Wife) is trying to put together a contest for October, here in VEgas. You down? I plan on making my comeback at that contest. Maybe we can meet!!

Yea I can do that....I saw Callie about a month ago down in AZ

**Twist** · 06-12-2011, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by buffgator

its an ego thing....they pride theirselves on how strong they are and not their looks. Honestly if I didnt compete I would give up 100-150lbs off all my lifts if I could trade it for 10%bf

I've never heard anyone say that before.

**Twist** · 06-12-2011, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by BgMc31

Are you serious dude? Coming from a guy who talks about good? Really? Just busting your balls, brotha. Anyway, powerlifting is starting to move away from all the gear. Serious powerlifting is now reverting back to raw. Those are the most popular events. Check out the Olympia and Arnold powerlifting comps. The biggest draws come from the raw lifters.

I compete in both raw powerlifting and strongman. I use powerlifting to make me a better strongman and most strongmen do that.

I don't understand the bold comment lol.
I think raw is impressive but its nothing like pulling an aircraft or boat.

Originally Posted by buffgator

Honestly twist if your looks are your thing I wouldnt strive to be incredibly strong because it wears the body out fast. I would add intesity with things like drop sets, super sets, negatives instead of always trying to up the weight

I've got looks and I'm not trying to be a bodybuilder, just gain 15lbs muscle. I would like to get my bench up a little as I only bench 225 (8 reps or more, I never max).

Anyways this thread cleared things up a little. Although benching 600 if you weigh 400 is just as impressive (in my mind) as someone my weight benching 255 (not impressive). I actually think someone who could do high reps of high weight is much more impressive than 1 rep of really high weight.

**lifter65** · 06-12-2011, 09:16 PM

raw powerlifting is definately making a comeback! personally i dont respect equipped lifters, it looks stupid and has put a dent in the sport, you have guys walking around saying they bench 450 and regular people think they really benched 450, what they never tell them is that it was equipped, in my gym a guy benches 225 raw for about 3 reps and just benches 400 equipped, i think its stupid, and from my personal experience others who have played sports like football or wrestling always wanna still compete in something after high school because after playing sports for so many years competitiveness is in your blood, also alot of the kids who never started in their sports always tend to gravitate towards letting themself go immediately after high school becuz they were never fueled by competitiveness

**BgMc31** · 06-12-2011, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by Twist

I don't understand the bold comment lol.
I think raw is impressive but its nothing like pulling an aircraft or boat.

I've got looks and I'm not trying to be a bodybuilder, just gain 15lbs muscle. I would like to get my bench up a little as I only bench 225 (8 reps or more, I never max).

Anyways this thread cleared things up a little. Although benching 600 if you weigh 400 is just as impressive (in my mind) as someone my weight benching 255 (not impressive). I actually think someone who could do high reps of high weight is much more impressive than 1 rep of really high weight.

I meant to say "looking good", lol!!!

Trust me pulling a plane (I pulled a f4 Phanton Jet), and it was a whole lot easier than benching 550!! LOL!!!

But the way, being able to rep weight isn't strength, thats endurance...

**Twist** · 06-12-2011, 10:34 PM

I said gay, but I don't mean homosexual. It's slang lol.

Yeah but benching is just so.. idk, rudimentary.

I know I think repping 375 is way more impressive than 1 rep of 500. When I do 20 squats at the end of my leg workout I am so jacked up and I feel like passing out and throwing up. When I do low reps I either make it or don't, no big deal.

**Catch** · 06-12-2011, 10:48 PM

Dumb question here... You guys keep saying "raw" and "equipped" when referring to powerlifting. Does that mean "natural" and otherwise? Or like, with no belts/straps/whatever?

**terraj** · 06-12-2011, 11:05 PM

Got to have functional strength, it's an Alpha thing.

I just need to lift heavy sh.t

**endpoint** · 06-12-2011, 11:10 PM

My guess would be confidence. Knowing that they are strong could fill them with confidence. Same way you get confidence from your looks

**buffgator** · 06-12-2011, 11:38 PM

Originally Posted by Catch

Dumb question here... You guys keep saying "raw" and "equipped" when referring to powerlifting. Does that mean "natural" and otherwise? Or like, with no belts/straps/whatever?

raw is just you and your body.....equipped is when you use knee wraps, bench shirts, deadlift suites, that all help you put up more weight than just being raw

**awms** · 06-13-2011, 01:16 AM

Its human nature, we are men and every man wants to be the alpha male of the pack...what better way to assert dominance over your peer then being able to say you can out bench them, out squat them, or tell them your arms are 19 inches. We are men and we will always enjoy things that make us more "manly" or alpha...why? who knows its in our genes, its the way we are built, its kinda like looking at a set of nice boobs or a nice ass....we dont know why we like it we just do lol its who we are by nature.

Look at animals in the wild...the largest and strongest animals in the pack get the pick of the females, they get to eat first, and they get to have off spring...The few dictate the many and we all want to be the few.

**kalspic** · 06-14-2011, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by lifter65

raw powerlifting is definately making a comeback! personally i dont respect equipped lifters, it looks stupid and has put a dent in the sport, you have guys walking around saying they bench 450 and regular people think they really benched 450, what they never tell them is that it was equipped, in my gym a guy benches 225 raw for about 3 reps and just benches 400 equipped, i think its stupid, and from my personal experience others who have played sports like football or wrestling always wanna still compete in something after high school because after playing sports for so many years competitiveness is in your blood, also alot of the kids who never started in their sports always tend to gravitate towards letting themself go immediately after high school becuz they were never fueled by competitiveness

i agree 100%. i wrestled through out school and everyday i miss it. i want to get into a mma gym or something just so i can wrestle

**Times Roman** · 06-14-2011, 10:35 AM

strength training is a way (for me) to rage against the night.
I look at all the other blokes I know that are my age, and what do I see? Spindly arms, beer bellies, high blood ;pressure. Some of these are looking pretty bad.

I have one friend that is about 55. Know what he told me recently? he said he's really not all that interested in sex anymore, and it's really not a big deal. (wtf????)
So i can either accept that path as so many my age quite often do (path of least resistance), or there is the gym.

In fact, last time I was home, I heard one of my sons buddies telling my son (I just kicked my son's asss in arm wrestling) that your dad really looks like he can kick some serious asss. I was in the other room when I heard him say it. Felt good too, I admit.

There is always a certain amount of pride in being a man.

But just cause yer male, doesn't necessarily get you into the club