So I’ve been an ardent (but not creepy) Crossfitter for about a year, and as a result I’m in the best shape of my life. I’ve been fairly athletic for about 5 years (I’m 30), but was mostly just a runner until I started lifting with Crossfit.
I’m a fairly small guy (5’9", 145lbs), but not a total weakling (1RMs: deadlift, 300lbs; clean and jerk, 150lbs; benchpress, 170lbs).
So I’m thinking about moving away from Crossfit and getting more serious about my lifting. Doing 50 deadlifts followed by 50 benchpresses followed by 50 cleans–all at 135lbs, and all as fast as possible–well, I just don’t know how useful (safe?) that really is. I’d rather have a regimented system, and so I’ve done some research and am thinking of starting the 5/3/1 program after the new year–I figure three or four days a week lifting, two for cardio, and one or two rest days. While I’m most concerned with general fitness, I’d also like to look a bit more cut and be stronger. And I enjoy powerlifting more than all the other stuff I’m doing.
I’m curious to hear any advice or other comments about my situation. Thanks.
I agree that you should give powerlifting a try. However, in my opinion you might want to start with something like the link below before you jump into 5/3/1. I bet you really need to pack on some mass and work a ton on your form. Find a powerlifting gym (powerliftingwatch.com has some great resources) or group that you can train with if you are serious about getting stronger. And, generally powerlifting as a sport has nothing to do with ‘looking a bit more cut’ or general fitness.
If your goal is to gain muscle size, any powerlifting program will put pounds on you if you eat enough, but that is not the goal most of the time. If nothing else, learn proper technique on squat, bench, dead and apply some basic powerlifting principles to your workouts.
[quote]TPull3 wrote:
So I’ve been an ardent (but not creepy) Crossfitter for about a year, and as a result I’m in the best shape of my life. I’ve been fairly athletic for about 5 years (I’m 30), but was mostly just a runner until I started lifting with Crossfit.
I’m a fairly small guy (5’9", 145lbs), but not a total weakling (1RMs: deadlift, 300lbs; clean and jerk, 150lbs; benchpress, 170lbs).
So I’m thinking about moving away from Crossfit and getting more serious about my lifting. Doing 50 deadlifts followed by 50 benchpresses followed by 50 cleans–all at 135lbs, and all as fast as possible–well, I just don’t know how useful (safe?) that really is. I’d rather have a regimented system, and so I’ve done some research and am thinking of starting the 5/3/1 program after the new year–I figure three or four days a week lifting, two for cardio, and one or two rest days. While I’m most concerned with general fitness, I’d also like to look a bit more cut and be stronger. And I enjoy powerlifting more than all the other stuff I’m doing.
I’m curious to hear any advice or other comments about my situation. Thanks.[/quote]
“Useful?” What do you want your training to be useful for?
[quote]TPull3 wrote:
So I’ve been an ardent (but not creepy) Crossfitter for about a year, and as a result I’m in the best shape of my life. I’ve been fairly athletic for about 5 years (I’m 30), but was mostly just a runner until I started lifting with Crossfit.
I’m a fairly small guy (5’9", 145lbs), but not a total weakling (1RMs: deadlift, 300lbs; clean and jerk, 150lbs; benchpress, 170lbs).
So I’m thinking about moving away from Crossfit and getting more serious about my lifting. Doing 50 deadlifts followed by 50 benchpresses followed by 50 cleans–all at 135lbs, and all as fast as possible–well, I just don’t know how useful (safe?) that really is. I’d rather have a regimented system, and so I’ve done some research and am thinking of starting the 5/3/1 program after the new year–I figure three or four days a week lifting, two for cardio, and one or two rest days. While I’m most concerned with general fitness, I’d also like to look a bit more cut and be stronger. And I enjoy powerlifting more than all the other stuff I’m doing.
I’m curious to hear any advice or other comments about my situation. Thanks.[/quote]
“Useful?” What do you want your training to be useful for?
[/quote]
Building muscle, looking fitter, feeling better, getting stronger, for example.
Just make sure you incorporate a stretching routine if your going primarily powerlifting. Also, keep doing the cleans at least once a week to keep up your power production.