A lot of different information is passed off as the truth, including about powerlifting. Find out all the myths about this sport that are sheer misconceptions. Those who visit specialized forums have probably noticed that bodybuilders often speak negatively about powerlifters. This situation simply misleads those who want to join a healthy lifestyle, or even scares them away from powerlifting. Also, thanks to such statements, the myths of powerlifting appeared.
Everyone who wants to visit gyms wants not only to become stronger, but also to improve their figure. All the myths that this article will talk about have been around for a long time and beginners believe in them. In almost any sports club, there is a person who will prove that squats contribute to the growth of the gluteal muscles, and only those with short limbs can win in powerlifting, this boring sport.
In their opinion, the shorter the arms and legs, the smaller the range of motion. Powerlifting myths have taken root quite firmly and, most likely, they will not be eradicated completely. This article is for those people who want to get stronger, but believe in myths.
Powerlifters are fat
This myth stems from the popular belief that the specificity of powerlifting training makes athletes fat and without a pronounced waist. A similar opinion has existed since the eighties of the last century, when representatives of heavy weight categories were mainly known among powerlifters. We have to admit that in most cases they actually resembled barrels.
In those days, the media practically did not talk about the light weight categories and almost all the lightweight champions were not known to the general public. But just look at modern famous powerlifters, for example, Alexei Serebryakov, Ryan Kennelly, and your opinion will completely change. They resemble the average bodybuilder of the off-season with their figures.
Powerlifters also use diets and intense training. This does not at all contribute to the accumulation of excess subcutaneous fat. If the athlete does not care about a few extra centimeters at the waist, then this is another matter. Most athletes keep an eye on their figure.
Powerlifters have little muscle mass, but strength is present
The myth of powerlifting has become very popular that the training used by powerlifters is not capable of providing sufficient hypertrophy. Also, bodybuilders often state that the training program in powerlifting is very short and does not contain the number of approaches and repetitions necessary for muscle growth. Do not believe such statements. A half-hour triceps sprint and a dozen sets of heavy shrugs are enough for this.
Powerlifters have small hands
Bodybuilders have always loved to flex their muscles in their arms. Often, powerlifters do not perform a large number of isolation biceps exercises, but the training program includes pull-ups, push-ups on the uneven bars, and deadlifts, which in any case contribute to an increase in biceps.
Shorter arms make the bench press easier for a powerlifter
This saying is one of the most common powerlifting myths. Complete nonsense and you shouldn't believe it. If you look closely at the statistics of the record holders in this exercise (we will not consider categories up to 74 kilograms), then all athletes have a standard ratio of arm length to height. No one is going to argue with the fact that the range of motion in people with short arms is less, because this is quite obvious. But this does not give any reason to assert that the athlete will have stronger muscles in comparison with the tall athlete. On what fact this statement is based is completely unclear.
Powerlifters have large gluteal muscles
We can agree that this is the case, but it is not a regularity. This powerlifting myth was invented by those who are simply physically unable to squat with large weights with a narrow stance. Of course, the muscles of the buttocks in powerlifting representatives develop faster than the biceps or triceps. But after all, every athlete can include any exercise for the required muscle group in his training program. If you want to make your biceps bigger, then train them additionally.
All powerlifters are very slow
You can often hear similar statements about bodybuilders. This is sheer nonsense. Some "lifters", having a height of about 190 centimeters and squatting with a barbell weighing 300 kilograms, calmly play basketball and jump to the ring without a run. It should also be noted that in recent years, more and more exercises that develop explosive strength have been included in the training program for powerlifters.
Bench press negatively affects the muscles of the shoulder girdle
For quite some time, the bench press has been considered the "killer" of the shoulder girdle. The reason for this was some movements that definitely cannot bring benefits to the muscles of the shoulder girdle. However, with the correct bench press technique, this exercise is no more dangerous than any other. Often, coaches recommend using a 2: 1 pull / push ratio in a training program. This will avoid the imbalance that can occur with heavy bench presses. Simply put, the athlete needs to give a little more volume to the upper back.
You can also do lighter exercises with larger weights. This is exactly what Joe DeFranco, who has been successfully working with American football representatives in the NFL for many years, advises to do it. Anyone who wants to protect themselves from annoying injuries when performing a bench press must first master the technique of performing the exercise well and only after that increase the working weight.
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