Powerlifting... now there's a sport

Unlike most weightlifters in the gym who worry about the beach body look or getting in shape, powerlifting is about strength. It's about low reps at high weight. Its lifts consists of military press, dead lift, clean and jerk, squats, snatch and bench press.

Powerlifting is used to prepare for competitions such as World's Strongest Man Competition, the Olympics, local Strongman Competitions, Strongest Man Alive . For each individual lift, there are different competitions

Most of the competitors don't have the beach-body/muscle look. They are thick, mostly uncut, bulky people. Some have associated steroid use with this sport, which only the Olympics regulates. The Bulgarians and East Germans have been known to cheat in the Olympics by using steroids.

2002, 2003, 2005 World's Strongest Man Marius Pudzianowski is not only the World's Strongest Man, but third in the World's Strongest Bench Press. He can bench press over 600 pounds, which is comparable to a small car (like the Geo Metro). He's 6'1" and 291 pounds and is from Poland, where he is considered a superstar.

Such competitions involve intense training and discipline. For example, dieting is very rigorous. Mass amounts of calories must be taken in each day to have enough energy to power his muscles for such strenuous lifts. A protein shake is usually added to supplement high protein and complex carbohydrate intake.

There are many other supplements a powerlifter can choose from, especially those considered “unnatural” but are still allowed in most competitions. One is creatine.
Creatine helps muscle-water retention. Oxygen is used to help build the muscle after it is worked out. Having mass amounts of water storage assists in the process. However, this can add water-weight to the athlete.

Many people confuse powerlifting and body building. Body Building is not about strength, but rather continuous repetition and body shape. Body builders are more concerned with a cut, sculpted look and watch their body fat. Again, powerlifters are concerned with strength.

Look for Mariusz Pudzianowski in the 2006 World's Strongest Man Competition.