People have always admired power, and powerlifting exercises are a great way to achieve it. Powerlifting is a sport, but its benefits, not to mention people’s natural attraction to power, means it can also be enjoyed by those who do not compete.
Powerlifting and its benefits Powerlifting consists of three major lifts: the bench press, dead lifts and squats. Powerlifters always try to max out the amount they can lift while still maintaining good form.
Lifting to create large muscles as in body building does not necessarily build the strongest muscles. Powerlifting is designed to maximize strength. While both body building and powerlifting have similarities, powerlifting’s emphasis on strength over size keeps people more in tune with their bodies and offers better overall health benefits. However, even though its emphasis is not on how big muscles can get, it can lead to very large and toned muscles in a relatively short period of time.
Powerlifting exercise equipment One advantage of powerlifting is that it does not require a lot of extra equipment. Apart from the basic weightlifting equipment required for any weight training, the only real requirement is the right weightlifting belt. Make sure it is a good thick, wide powerlifting belt.
Other equipment that many, especially those who compete, might purchase includes squat suits, knee wraps and squat shoes. While powerlifters should purchase what their situation and physical condition dictates, keep in mind that the requirements are low.
The powerlifting exercises
A powerlifting routine will consist of two to six training days per week (a maximum of two for novice trainers). Routines will need splits to ensure that muscles have a chance to recover and strengthen between workouts. With powerlifting consisting of just three major exercises, splits are often divided between the lower body days (deadlifts and squats) alternating with upper body days (bench presses).
For good balance, weightlifters should make sure they also do secondary exercises and exercise their smaller muscles too. Some exercises can be seen here.
Load and repetitions
While programs vary, powerlifting always includes at least one rep that brings the muscles to nearly 100% percent of their capacity. This may occur within a single rep but can take up to eight. Unlike bodybuilding, weight rather than repetitions are increased to keep bringing muscles to their failure point.
Flexibility in goals and workouts is a good key to keep in mind. Adjust goals and the weight used as needed. Bodies and muscles will not always react as expected when a setting out on a powerlifting program, or any exercise program for that matter. Adjusting a program as the situation develops can greatly increase the final results.
Finding motivation
Seeing one’s strength increase can be a great motivation to keep maxing out muscles and pushing them to the limit. The right training partner will supply further motivation and provide the spotting that is needed when muscles are brought so close to failure with maximum weight. With this in mind, a good partner or two is probably better than any equipment one can buy for powerlifting.
Overall, powerlifting exercises are a great way to achieve fitness goals and should be considered by anyone interested in weightlifting.
