Powerlifting vs. HIIT

J

jessejamesricha

0
Okay, this isn't a which is better type of post. I was out with a friend of mine who is big into powerlifting. Max weight low reps, I guess. I'm big into all around fitness. I workout multiple times daily and involve a lot of HIIT training, cardio, 3 days / week strength training/body weight training, and other stuff like biking, rowing, etc. Because I don't know much about powerlifting, I was curious to know about the pros and cons of it.

Now the interesting thing is he is 6'2 - 187 and trying to grow. I'm 5'9 - 200 and trying to shrink. Both of us are quite fit and well in the zone of healthy weight. The conclusion we came up with - not knowing enough about the other guys routine - was that each is workout is both personal preference and good for a certain goal. My goal is overall strength and endurance in all parts of my body while his is beating people up... ha ha - no it's true. He wants an explosive burst of power.

So, I thought I'd open this up to the world and see what peoples thoughts are on this. Pros and cons.

Thanks!!
 
firstly i dont understand why you've put this in the "articles and research" forum it should be in the weightlifting or other training forums.
secondly i dont really understand what you are asking for,it seems you are doing what you want,and he is doing what he wants,if you are asking which is better,then that depends on your goals.
 
Firstly, As per the first sentence of the post, I'm not looking for a "which is better" answer. Secondly, I was worried that if I put this post under weightlifting there'd be someone who'd rather ask "why didn't you put it under ________ category: (on account of the HIIT reference). Than actually answer the question. Arrgg.

Putting it here seemed logical as it covers two different areas of training and a research-based answer would be most appropriate in understanding:

What are the pros of powerlifting?
How does it work exactly?
What mechanism are operating?
What is the end goal?
 
First, the best exercise for YOU is the one YOU will do consistantly for the long term, which may have more to do with psycological factors than what is pysiologically most beneficial!!! An interesting article in Sports Illustrated (WHO HAS THE SPEED GENE, AND WHO DOESN'T? HOW MUCH OF - 05.17.10 - SI Vault) says that the most important factor in an elite atheletes success is a genetic tendancy to train obsessively, rather than a genetic athletic ability.

Second, many idividuals find the best long term development comes from combining many different training protocols, both to prevent physiological plateauing and boredom. So why not try either a 4-6 six week cycle of the other guys routine or mixing one or 2 sessions per week of the other routine into your routine and see how it works before drawing any conclusions on what works best for you?
 
In a nutshell...

What are the pros of powerlifting? Gets you massively strong.
How does it work exactly? By lifting massive weights.
What mechanism are operating? Max strength in the squat, bench press and deadlift.
What is the end goal? To lift heavy weights relative to your bodyweight.
 
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