This is very similar to my own background! The aspects of just general strength training/hypertrophy work is a big part of how I go about powerlifting (for myself and clients). I likely wouldn’t have ended up that way if I had gotten involved in powerlifting too early. My first meet was in 2015, and even then I didn’t start getting more “specific” until 2018. Excellent video as usual man!
Thank for posting this, I've always been somewhat shy/scared about getting into powerlifting because "maybe it's too late" Your post gave me more courage/motivation, thank you!
Glad to hear what David is suggesting is just what I have been doing! I was a bodybuilder and am recently focusing on more of a powerlifting training style, and meanwhile, I’m still keeping some of my hypertrophy trainings in my workout. This definitely helps both our strength and physique to get better.
this information is gold thanks dawg i’ve been feeling a little off about trying to do what people call “powerbuilding” but in reality i just want to gain experience in all areas of bodybuilding and powerlifting
I really like the way you used DOTS in this video I think it’s a great way to make weight class decisions for more advanced lifters when you can look at what the numbers have to be if you decide to get heavier and you want to be the same level of lifter or better.
Great vid! There's so many people who are scared to lose their abs and make no progress. You gotta buckle down and put on some mass in order to get strong.
I see this a lot with younger lifters who begin their lifting journey as powerlifters right off the bat. Usually end up with halfway decent numbers in the first couple years, but generally look like they hardly even lift - and also hit really long plateaus. Luckily, it's very in-vogue right now for powerlifters to prioritize "accessories" and general physique development, so everyone will catch on eventually.
I totally agree. However, it makes me wonder how some top lifters, Taylor Atwood comes to mind, manage to stay the same class for seemingly decades and yet still dominate?
I don’t think he is an exception to the rule. I think he is more proof of the rule. He is wayyyy more muscular than many of his counterparts. I’m also sure he would be stronger than he currently is if he moved a weight class. But at the very upper end the goals change to winning or for him literally being the “greatest of all time.” This video is mostly directed at everyone looking to get there. I think it would be tough to find someone dominant in their weight class that is not very muscular and moves very well.
Hey, David! You talk a lot about not choosing a weight class too early here, and instead focusing on getting bigger over time. I assume that you are talking about newer lifters that are relatively lean and small. And if so, of course, they should gain weight. But what do you think of my scenario? I’m 6’ 2”, 286lbs and am currently losing some excess weight I gained during covid lockdown. I’ve been training for about three and a half years with a large focus on accessories/bodybuilding in addition to the power lifts, like you discuss here, and as a result have a pretty decent amount of muscle. I’m not from the US, so I have to lift in the IPF where there are not so many choices of weight classes for someone of my height. My first meet was in the 105kg/231lbs weight class, but I plan to compete in the 120kg/265lbs class next year and for the next few years going forward. My plan is to cut down to 242lbs, then slowly gain weight to fill out the 120kg class. Assuming I’m staying around 15% bf, do you think I should expect to end up in the 120kg+ class long term, or is it feasible for me to stay in the 120kg class for my entire lifting career? For reference, my bf was around 15% when I competed in the 105kg class in 2019, and I had been training for about a year and a half then. Thanks in advance, and also thanks for the very informational video!
Right yea your scenario may be different. And so many of your choices I think should revolve around how you define success in powerlifting and your own body image. You are tall. I would say almost certainly you are at least a 120kg lifter. But I think your choices are similar to what I mentioned in the video honestly. I don’t know how much fat you have or want to lose. But it’s still the long game. And it may be just what you said about dieting down as far as you want and be comfortably lean and then basically starting the “building” phase from there. Either way, powerlifting is a long game for everyone. You have time. There may just be some steps you want to take first before really “building” again.
Thank you so much for the swift and detailed answer! “Success” for me means the largest total possible while still looking relatively jacked at about the same bf percentage as you (15-20%?). I have a decent amount of excess fat now, especially around the waist. Hence, why I want to cut down to about 110kg first, before starting the “building” phase to 120kg. Another somewhat related question where I’d like some advice/input: My SBD belt is too small (size M), so I recently purchased a new one in size L. However, it doesn’t fit that well given my current weight and waist size (approx 40” waist). I can close it on the loosest setting, but it’s still a bit too tight. I therefore purchased another one in size XL. That one fits well, but I am already almost in the middle with regards to the holes. Seeing as my plan is to cut down 20kg from 130kg to 110kg, and then start building again, do you think I should keep the one in size L or XL? Can I expect my waist to not increase too much in size when building from 110kg? The one in size L fits the range 31.5-39.5”, while the XL fits the range 34.5-43.5”. I know this is a silly question, but I’ve really been struggling with this decision 😂
Great video. I am a much older lifter now, but when I started competing in my early 20’s I fell for the weight class stigma. Even over dieting to drop classes to chase silly local records. I should have just kept packing on lean muscle and probably would have filled out a class up and done better. This was great advice for young and newer lifters.
Question: when I look at the graphs, I only see maintaining of BW or gaining BW (90% of the graph) for all three of you guys. How do you manage to consistently gain weight over a long period of time without going through 1 or many substantial cutting phases to increase the ratio LBM:BW over time? I’m not 100% sure if that question makes sense, or if I’m just not seeing something. Thanks and love the channel/content!
I very rarely do “hypertrophy” blocks for myself or my clients. You could do it that way. But generally a more well rounded approach year round tends to work better. So you should be pushing accessories year round.
@@BrazosValleyStrength yeah Im peaking rn and I still have back and delts Accessoires I Just like to differntiate ,Offseason Training’ (in which i Still Focus on SBD movements but higher volume) and Strength/Peaking
Hey David, i'm a newer Powerlifter and getting ready to go on my first meet now. There is on thing i still don't get: Should i have pulled my 3 attempts in the gym before or do i like to go all in on my third attempt and get a PR? I know i should do my opener as a safe lift, but what is with the second and third? Should it be safe too or a new number to me? Thank you for the great content!
This is very similar to my own background! The aspects of just general strength training/hypertrophy work is a big part of how I go about powerlifting (for myself and clients). I likely wouldn’t have ended up that way if I had gotten involved in powerlifting too early. My first meet was in 2015, and even then I didn’t start getting more “specific” until 2018. Excellent video as usual man!
Thanks Marcellus!
Two men I look up to
Only just getting into powerlifting at 49. This channel has been great for learning.
Thank for posting this, I've always been somewhat shy/scared about getting into powerlifting because "maybe it's too late"
Your post gave me more courage/motivation, thank you!
I don’t know how this channel hasn’t blown up in the community. I love the content man.
Best videos in the game right now. Keep ‘em coming!
Glad to hear what David is suggesting is just what I have been doing! I was a bodybuilder and am recently focusing on more of a powerlifting training style, and meanwhile, I’m still keeping some of my hypertrophy trainings in my workout. This definitely helps both our strength and physique to get better.
this information is gold thanks dawg i’ve been feeling a little off about trying to do what people call “powerbuilding” but in reality i just want to gain experience in all areas of bodybuilding and powerlifting
Amazing video, got nothing to say, just leaving a comment to help with the algorithm
amazing message
I really like the way you used DOTS in this video I think it’s a great way to make weight class decisions for more advanced lifters when you can look at what the numbers have to be if you decide to get heavier and you want to be the same level of lifter or better.
I needed to hear this, David! Thanks for the amazing content as always.
thank you so much for this perspective! as a younger lifter, this has definitely changed the way I look at my training. needed to hear this one!
This is 100% true. I like the westside conjugate training style which has a big focus on accessories and it's working great for me rn.
Great video !
Support always from hk!
Great vid! There's so many people who are scared to lose their abs and make no progress. You gotta buckle down and put on some mass in order to get strong.
Amazing Brother love From India 🙌💯❤️
Need this, thanks sir
I see this a lot with younger lifters who begin their lifting journey as powerlifters right off the bat. Usually end up with halfway decent numbers in the first couple years, but generally look like they hardly even lift - and also hit really long plateaus.
Luckily, it's very in-vogue right now for powerlifters to prioritize "accessories" and general physique development, so everyone will catch on eventually.
Great video David. Thumbs up here.
Going to get big and strong David! Thanks for the inspiration as always
I totally agree. However, it makes me wonder how some top lifters, Taylor Atwood comes to mind, manage to stay the same class for seemingly decades and yet still dominate?
I don’t think he is an exception to the rule. I think he is more proof of the rule. He is wayyyy more muscular than many of his counterparts.
I’m also sure he would be stronger than he currently is if he moved a weight class. But at the very upper end the goals change to winning or for him literally being the “greatest of all time.”
This video is mostly directed at everyone looking to get there. I think it would be tough to find someone dominant in their weight class that is not very muscular and moves very well.
@@BrazosValleyStrength thanks for clearing that up. Your channel has helped me a ton
Hey, David! You talk a lot about not choosing a weight class too early here, and instead focusing on getting bigger over time. I assume that you are talking about newer lifters that are relatively lean and small. And if so, of course, they should gain weight. But what do you think of my scenario?
I’m 6’ 2”, 286lbs and am currently losing some excess weight I gained during covid lockdown. I’ve been training for about three and a half years with a large focus on accessories/bodybuilding in addition to the power lifts, like you discuss here, and as a result have a pretty decent amount of muscle. I’m not from the US, so I have to lift in the IPF where there are not so many choices of weight classes for someone of my height. My first meet was in the 105kg/231lbs weight class, but I plan to compete in the 120kg/265lbs class next year and for the next few years going forward. My plan is to cut down to 242lbs, then slowly gain weight to fill out the 120kg class. Assuming I’m staying around 15% bf, do you think I should expect to end up in the 120kg+ class long term, or is it feasible for me to stay in the 120kg class for my entire lifting career? For reference, my bf was around 15% when I competed in the 105kg class in 2019, and I had been training for about a year and a half then.
Thanks in advance, and also thanks for the very informational video!
Right yea your scenario may be different. And so many of your choices I think should revolve around how you define success in powerlifting and your own body image. You are tall. I would say almost certainly you are at least a 120kg lifter.
But I think your choices are similar to what I mentioned in the video honestly. I don’t know how much fat you have or want to lose. But it’s still the long game. And it may be just what you said about dieting down as far as you want and be comfortably lean and then basically starting the “building” phase from there.
Either way, powerlifting is a long game for everyone. You have time. There may just be some steps you want to take first before really “building” again.
Thank you so much for the swift and detailed answer! “Success” for me means the largest total possible while still looking relatively jacked at about the same bf percentage as you (15-20%?). I have a decent amount of excess fat now, especially around the waist. Hence, why I want to cut down to about 110kg first, before starting the “building” phase to 120kg.
Another somewhat related question where I’d like some advice/input: My SBD belt is too small (size M), so I recently purchased a new one in size L. However, it doesn’t fit that well given my current weight and waist size (approx 40” waist). I can close it on the loosest setting, but it’s still a bit too tight. I therefore purchased another one in size XL. That one fits well, but I am already almost in the middle with regards to the holes. Seeing as my plan is to cut down 20kg from 130kg to 110kg, and then start building again, do you think I should keep the one in size L or XL? Can I expect my waist to not increase too much in size when building from 110kg?
The one in size L fits the range 31.5-39.5”, while the XL fits the range 34.5-43.5”. I know this is a silly question, but I’ve really been struggling with this decision 😂
Ha I don’t know that I can give you a good answer now. I would say keep the one that fits best now and cross the next bridge when you get there.
Great video. I am a much older lifter now, but when I started competing in my early 20’s I fell for the weight class stigma. Even over dieting to drop classes to chase silly local records. I should have just kept packing on lean muscle and probably would have filled out a class up and done better. This was great advice for young and newer lifters.
Question: when I look at the graphs, I only see maintaining of BW or gaining BW (90% of the graph) for all three of you guys. How do you manage to consistently gain weight over a long period of time without going through 1 or many substantial cutting phases to increase the ratio LBM:BW over time? I’m not 100% sure if that question makes sense, or if I’m just not seeing something. Thanks and love the channel/content!
Or do you just live with that slightly increased fat gain along with the large amount of muscle gain for a while?
Because all of us are doing it slowly and consistently which allows for much better body composition changes.
Long story short: Do your Accessoires right and push Hypertrophy Blocks when you‘re not competing anytime soon.
Right?
I very rarely do “hypertrophy” blocks for myself or my clients. You could do it that way. But generally a more well rounded approach year round tends to work better. So you should be pushing accessories year round.
@@BrazosValleyStrength yeah Im peaking rn and I still have back and delts Accessoires
I Just like to differntiate ,Offseason Training’ (in which i Still Focus on SBD movements but higher volume) and Strength/Peaking
Hey David, i'm a newer Powerlifter and getting ready to go on my first meet now. There is on thing i still don't get: Should i have pulled my 3 attempts in the gym before or do i like to go all in on my third attempt and get a PR? I know i should do my opener as a safe lift, but what is with the second and third? Should it be safe too or a new number to me? Thank you for the great content!
I have a video on first meets you should watch
@@BrazosValleyStrength perfect, i will watch it next! Thank you!
Only pull your opener in the gym. Save 2 & 3 for the stage.
@@kurts7268 This is bad advice.
@@BrazosValleyStrength my bad
Just a question on to be rude but do you take tren
What’s that?
@@BrazosValleyStrength steroids, gear, or testosterone boosting drugs
Oh ok, so like protein powder and creatine? If those count as tren, then yes.
@@BrazosValleyStrength no not protein powder or creatine but what like top tier body builders uses
Oh I don’t know then. I’ve never heard of any of those other ones.
Eat more and add 5 pounds weekly