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petite power
Guest
Today is my first day on this forum and it's actually the first time I have ever heard the term "powerbuilding". Can anyone clarify for me what powerbuilding is as opposed to bodybuilding?
I love the term and it seems to suit me as I am not into looking overly sculpted or huge.
Correct me if I am wrong but is power building a term athletes use for strength training and/or powerlifting? Are the powerlifters on this site pros or competitors? Are you also bodybuilders? I am assuming there is a mix of everything here based on what I have read so far. Are there powerbuilding competitions?
Here is a little about me. I am a 43 yr old female, 135lbs, 5'4, thus the name petite power. Power bc I am very strong physically. Stronger than the average woman my age, in fact I commend my parents for all this bc I am certain my strength is a genetic gift. I have brute strength and have realized this all my life growing up on a farm
At age 5 I could unpin my 200lb+ father while we were wrestling, by age 6 I could do "boy style" pushups with ease....(not as easy now). Before I was 10 I noticed I had small but firm biceps. I never showed many people bc I was embarrassed to be a girl with muscles.
When I was a teenager my muscles were larger and I was getting stronger, without much exercise other than gym class and working on the farm in the summer. I was the typical teenager....caused some headaches for my parents, tried smoking, drinking, ate junk food but when someone wanted to pick a fight with me I was always strong enough to be the victor. I never looked for fights, I abhor women/girls fighting and would actually get scared if someone threatened me...lots of bullies in my high school as well. One girl grabbed my collar and wanted to fight, I was so shocked and embarrassed to even be involved in such stupidity I slammed her into the locker and gave her a swift kick in the rear. She and a few others would always surrender and take off after getting a taste of my power.
As of recently I found weight training boring. I would work out with my friends who never used the heavy free weights. I used small weights to fit in with their regiment and concluded weightlifting was not for me. When I challenged myself and started lifting heavier I found it more challenging and empowering. I deadlifted a 100lb barbell at my first attempt. I can leg press around 300lbs without ever working up to that weight. I don't know the name of the machine but you are bent over and pull a handle upwards while the pulley brings up the plates. The first time I used this apparatus I pulled 120lbs per arm for 5 reps. I can do 10 reps of 110 lbs. I can curl a 20lb dumbell and a 40lb barbell without years of weight training. I enjoy heavier lifting...I find it gives my muscles a good tightening and squeeze as opposed to the burning I get when I am in a toning class...lighter weights lifted slower with many reps...ouch! That kind of working out can keep me out of the gym forever. I much prefer heavy lifts with fewer sets. A trainer said my way will only add more bulk to my already present bulky muscles, toning will give me more definition.
Other than my question about the definition of powerbuilding, how can I train heavy but tone up a bit? Like I say I don't want to be sculpted with little body fat, but I wouldn't mind getting my legs toned more to show my big quadriceps. I have noticeable muscles but prefer the healthy strong look. I hope I can learn a few things from this site. I also am curious if anyone on this site was born with great natural strength and if anyone ever shares stories about feats of strength.
thanks for reading,
petite power
I love the term and it seems to suit me as I am not into looking overly sculpted or huge.
Correct me if I am wrong but is power building a term athletes use for strength training and/or powerlifting? Are the powerlifters on this site pros or competitors? Are you also bodybuilders? I am assuming there is a mix of everything here based on what I have read so far. Are there powerbuilding competitions?
Here is a little about me. I am a 43 yr old female, 135lbs, 5'4, thus the name petite power. Power bc I am very strong physically. Stronger than the average woman my age, in fact I commend my parents for all this bc I am certain my strength is a genetic gift. I have brute strength and have realized this all my life growing up on a farm
At age 5 I could unpin my 200lb+ father while we were wrestling, by age 6 I could do "boy style" pushups with ease....(not as easy now). Before I was 10 I noticed I had small but firm biceps. I never showed many people bc I was embarrassed to be a girl with muscles.
When I was a teenager my muscles were larger and I was getting stronger, without much exercise other than gym class and working on the farm in the summer. I was the typical teenager....caused some headaches for my parents, tried smoking, drinking, ate junk food but when someone wanted to pick a fight with me I was always strong enough to be the victor. I never looked for fights, I abhor women/girls fighting and would actually get scared if someone threatened me...lots of bullies in my high school as well. One girl grabbed my collar and wanted to fight, I was so shocked and embarrassed to even be involved in such stupidity I slammed her into the locker and gave her a swift kick in the rear. She and a few others would always surrender and take off after getting a taste of my power.
As of recently I found weight training boring. I would work out with my friends who never used the heavy free weights. I used small weights to fit in with their regiment and concluded weightlifting was not for me. When I challenged myself and started lifting heavier I found it more challenging and empowering. I deadlifted a 100lb barbell at my first attempt. I can leg press around 300lbs without ever working up to that weight. I don't know the name of the machine but you are bent over and pull a handle upwards while the pulley brings up the plates. The first time I used this apparatus I pulled 120lbs per arm for 5 reps. I can do 10 reps of 110 lbs. I can curl a 20lb dumbell and a 40lb barbell without years of weight training. I enjoy heavier lifting...I find it gives my muscles a good tightening and squeeze as opposed to the burning I get when I am in a toning class...lighter weights lifted slower with many reps...ouch! That kind of working out can keep me out of the gym forever. I much prefer heavy lifts with fewer sets. A trainer said my way will only add more bulk to my already present bulky muscles, toning will give me more definition.
Other than my question about the definition of powerbuilding, how can I train heavy but tone up a bit? Like I say I don't want to be sculpted with little body fat, but I wouldn't mind getting my legs toned more to show my big quadriceps. I have noticeable muscles but prefer the healthy strong look. I hope I can learn a few things from this site. I also am curious if anyone on this site was born with great natural strength and if anyone ever shares stories about feats of strength.
thanks for reading,
petite power
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