For a 5’6" guy, what do you think is the highest weight class he can successfully compete in PLing? Certainly, it’s not 181, right?
I ask because I used to be really sporadic with lifting. Would do it a few months out of the year because of swimming and recently BJJ. Now, I got rid of those to do what I really enjoy. Started at 160 pounds on Nov 1, 2008, thinking 165 is a good weight class. But who wants to be a skinny 165er? Now, I’m up to a just as lean 175 and not slowing down, and I don’t really want to. Let’s face it, getting stronger AND bigger is fun.
So, eventually, would going up to 198 put me at a big disadvantage against taller guys or would I do as well/better being shorter with more muscle?
I suppose my mechanism of hypertrophy is that I do a lot of high%max low rep sets of compound moves, rocket science, eh? 
I feel that if I cut out some of the sets to make it more “powerlifting-esque,” I wouldn’t be doing enough work to get stronger.
So, what do you think?
Also, while I’m asking, is there a good way to self-teach proper bench form (like using goblets to teach the squat)? I always resort to breaking form into BBing form whenever I go heavy/struggle.
Thanks!
I’m 5’5", my coach is maybe 1/2 taller than me, and he has won IPF masters for powerlifting at 181.
being shorter opens up more weightclasses for you. You at 220 have the potential to carry more muscle at that weights then someone several inches taller then you. On the flip side, it also gives you the potential to be competitive in lower weight classes.
btw
I’m 5’8" and I want 242 minimum.
One of the kids I train with is 5’5" and 220lbs. He’s been pretty successful. Wide as hell but successful.
[quote]ouroboro_s wrote:
One of the kids I train with is 5’5" and 220lbs. He’s been pretty successful. Wide as hell but successful.[/quote]
Which kid if you don’t mind me asking? A CPU lifter?
Wasn’t Ed Coan 5’6"? If I remember correctly, he was fairly successful.
I always kind of wish I was shorter when I’m lifting. 6’1 @220 sucks compared to 5’8 @220.
[quote]Power GnP wrote:
ouroboro_s wrote:
One of the kids I train with is 5’5" and 220lbs. He’s been pretty successful. Wide as hell but successful.
Which kid if you don’t mind me asking? A CPU lifter?[/quote]
Andrew Cameron. He competed Sub-j and started competing junior this year. I don’t think he’s set any records but I think he will once he get’s his head out of his backside. His issue is mental rather than physical. He’ll be in Moosejaw with me in April. Will you be there?
Im 5’8 competing 165…I have no problem at that weightclass and I am far from skinny 
ahh, well a consensus seems to have been reached.
Any teaching bench form advice?
[quote]muscleshark wrote:
ahh, well a consensus seems to have been reached.
Any teaching bench form advice?[/quote]
uumm…hmmm…its really hard for me to explain it. I believe dave tate has a short article on this site on how to properly set up for a bench. But for me and my dumbed down version. I like feet out wide, but FLAT on the floor with a nice stretch in your quads. legs would resemble the greater than sign >. At that Go for an accordian back with just your traps and butt on the bench, so an arch in your back. Tuck elbows and go down to the bottom of your pec. Not your belly, not your nipples.
[quote]muscleshark wrote:
ahh, well a consensus seems to have been reached.[/quote]
So you’re going work up to 220?
[quote]malonetd wrote:
muscleshark wrote:
ahh, well a consensus seems to have been reached.
So you’re going work up to 220?[/quote]
Well, I’ll certainly try. There’s still a long way to go to a lean 198. Getting stronger is the main goal but I’ll take any hypertrophy that comes along. 
[quote]Pipes06 wrote:
muscleshark wrote:
ahh, well a consensus seems to have been reached.
Any teaching bench form advice?
uumm…hmmm…its really hard for me to explain it. I believe dave tate has a short article on this site on how to properly set up for a bench. But for me and my dumbed down version. I like feet out wide, but FLAT on the floor with a nice stretch in your quads.
legs would resemble the greater than sign >. At that Go for an accordian back with just your traps and butt on the bench, so an arch in your back. Tuck elbows and go down to the bottom of your pec. Not your belly, not your nipples. [/quote]
Thanks! I’m guessing the leg drive is very important. Perhaps if I used plates as a raised platform for my feet.
rather be 6’1, 220 instead of 5’8 220.
gotta work with what you got!
[quote]rasturai wrote:
rather be 6’1, 220 instead of 5’8 220.[/quote]
um…Why?? We are talking about competitive strength sports here. The stronger you can get and the more muscle you can put on your frame, the better. I don’t know many powerlifters that are over 6 foot and walking around in the low 200s.
OP worry about weight classes and where you’re most competitive when the time comes. 181 isn’t a bad weigh class to be in at that height but its different for everyone.
I know a 181er that is 5’6 on a tall day and is often over 190. He’s nothing special compared to some of the other Pros that are about his size, but compared to your average lifter, his numbers are pretty crazy.
[quote]buckeye girl wrote:
rasturai wrote:
rather be 6’1, 220 instead of 5’8 220.
um…Why?? We are talking about competitive strength sports here. The stronger you can get and the more muscle you can put on your frame, the better. I don’t know many powerlifters that are over 6 foot and walking around in the low 200s.
OP worry about weight classes and where you’re most competitive when the time comes. 181 isn’t a bad weigh class to be in at that height but its different for everyone.
I know a 181er that is 5’6 on a tall day and is often over 190. He’s nothing special compared to some of the other Pros that are about his size, but compared to your average lifter, his numbers are pretty crazy. [/quote]
Thanks! Well, I’m still only 18 so there’s a lot of time to decide this. I think my first meet is May 30th for 100%raw. I know what it means to “go pro” and I don’t see myself going down that road so for now, I’d prefer to compare my numbers to those in the same boat.
[quote]muscleshark wrote:
Thanks! Well, I’m still only 18 so there’s a lot of time to decide this. I think my first meet is May 30th for 100%raw. I know what it means to “go pro” and I don’t see myself going down that road so for now, I’d prefer to compare my numbers to those in the same boat.
[/quote]
100% Raw, eh? Not my cup of tea, but good luck 
Just keep working on getting stronger, having a good time and learning the rules of the fed you’re competing in. You have plenty of time to change your mind about weight classes, equipment, and all that other stuff.
[quote]ouroboro_s wrote:
Power GnP wrote:
ouroboro_s wrote:
One of the kids I train with is 5’5" and 220lbs. He’s been pretty successful. Wide as hell but successful.
Which kid if you don’t mind me asking? A CPU lifter?
Andrew Cameron. He competed Sub-j and started competing junior this year. I don’t think he’s set any records but I think he will once he get’s his head out of his backside. His issue is mental rather than physical. He’ll be in Moosejaw with me in April. Will you be there?[/quote]
Oh so he’ll be 100kg Jr at Nationals? I didn’t see him in any CPU results, has he done some meets?
Yup, I’ll be there March 31st to April 4/5th as I’ve got some AGM related things to attend to early on then I lift as Junior a few days in, its good to see your making the trip all the way out to Sask!