So you’re saying they don’t have clearly defined methodologies and goals?
I would say there are powerlifting -style training and bodybuilding -style training.
But do they have specific defined universal methologies? Nah.
There are common principles to strength and hypertrophy training, but I can’t define excactly when they turn to powerlifting or bodybuilding principles.
I think this is it. There are plenty of social media influencers who don’t compete at anything, but they might label them as bodybuilders etc.
Don’t get me wrong. Many of them are very impressive.
OP seems to think calling somebody as a powerlifter is somehow a honorary title. It just tells you he competes. He might be a shitty powerlifter, but he’s a powerlifter.
I’d argue that the intent and structure of training is what defines it. Powerlifting-style training focuses on maximizing the squat, bench, and deadlift using sets, reps, and progression to increase maximal strength. Bodybuilding-style training focuses on hypertrophy through volume, muscle isolation, and progressive overload. Even if there’s overlap, the goal and methodology give each its identity.
So then every powerlifting coach who has uttered the words “powerlifting program” or “powerlifting training” is wrong?
By this definition 5/3/1 is not a PL program.
Forget the maximal strength and you’re talking about strength training and hypertrophy training. Both can be closer or farther from PL/BB -style training.
I do agree that the goal defines it. And if the goal is a competition you’re a powerlifter/bodybuilder.
5/3/1 still uses powerlifting methodology. The other guy tried to say 5/3/1 is not powerlifting centric because it has overhead press, yet overhead press was once a competition lift and even though it was in olympic lifting before powerlifting even came to be, powerlifting inherited that tradition. Powerlifting did not invent pressing strength
It uses strength training methodology. Or do you think they’re the same thing?
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All powerlifting methodology is strength training, but not all strength training is powerlifting methodology. Saying 5/3/1 is just “strength training” ignores its deliberate alignment with the principles developed specifically for powerlifting.
No they are not wrong. You can follow a program designed for the sport of powerlifting or even work with a powerlifting coach, but until you compete you are by definition not a powerlifter. You are just someone following a program.
I am pretty sure that Jim himself said that the original idea and structure for 531 came from a strength program he did at college / School (not sure what correct US term is) when he was training for and playing football. As a powerlifter I believe he worked with Louie at Westside and pretty damn sure they were doing anything that looked like 531 mate.
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Have you actually read the original book or any of Jim’s subsequent books ?
That just means they’re not a competitive powerlifter. You can be a non-competitive powerlifter. If this is still a problem then it’s because people don’t like the idea of being surpassed by those who don’t compete.
So if I do 5/3/1 with overhead press, power clean and front squats as my main lifts I’m a powerlifter?
No such thing
Wow
When i was 15 back in 1979 and was doing bench press, squats and deadlifts, i did not realize i was a powerlifter
I want my powerlifting backpay and royalties
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I don’t know why I’m still here, but nobody fears that.
If you don’t compete you don’t surpass. If I pull 600lbs in a meet and my friend yells me from audience ”I pulled 620 at the gym last week”, I’m not saying ”shit, I lost the meet to that guy there”.
He would be stronger than me, but not a powerlifter, and he did not surpass me in powerlifting.
Even if the exact lifts aren’t the competitive big three, 5/3/1 with those exercises still follows powerlifting methodology and that it would be even closer if the lifters were the big three
Well what was your intention with doing that back in 1979? Why bench, squats and deadlifts?
Ok but strength doesn’t magically appear at a meet. By your logic I can argue that not all powerlifting meets are equal either. Only American powerlifting meets count. Someone pulled 600 at a powerlifting meet in China? Sorry, doesn’t count. Has to be American because I said so.
What if a bunch of powerlifters got together underground with their own judges apart from the IPF because they wanted to avoid all the bureaucracy. Who decides which meet is legitimate and which one is not?
No you can’t.
Or did he win me at the meet?
How many meets have you done? Being stronger last week does not mean you instantly win at the meet. Only the meet lifts count.