powerlifting vs. bodybuilding

[kaysi]

i need to start a powerlifting routine. is there a difference between the reps and how much weight i use compared to bodybuilding. like should i go to failure? or should i do less reps and more weight. the lifts im doing are just bench, squat, powerclean, deadlift. thanks.

[sta63bmx]

I have a picture that accurately describes the difference...

[bodybuilder120]

I used to have to Power lift for all my highschool sports with a 45lb stright bar and do cleans clean and jerk those sorts of lifts. well some of them are to failure and you can hurt yourself pretty baddoing them to failure. For example Clean and jerks the weight is above your head and around your neck, not something you want to come down on your head excpecially when its heavy. You just cant control it when its next to failure. So if ya thinking about usuing a (I love Jesus!) bar for your powerlifts. You can also get the same effects off of machines so i recomend form my experiance to avoid some of those lifts to failure. I hope this helped ya some in your decision.
Jim

[bsimpson]

lol nice pic JP.
question tho, why would powerlifters want to avoid failure?

[mrpaul]

Ballistic lifts, like cleans and jerks and all of the above, are really hard on the back and can lead to serious problems down the road. I wouldn't recomend doing them unless absolutely necesarry, and especially till failure unless you have a few spotters, because it could get pretty dangerous doing those lifts till failure.

[bsimpson]

ok ya it makes sence now that i think about it like that, i was thinking 'whywould you notwant to go to failure on a power bench or somthing'.

[el trigueño]

so when would powerlifting even be an option for someone?

[bsimpson]

^^ what?