State of Powerlifting

[Mr.Silverback]

This probably has been discussed many times over, but think about it for a second. After looking at the payouts of the Arnold Powerlifting Events, why do YOU think the payouts are so low? (in comparison to other Strength Sports)

One theory that I have always stood by would be the fact there are sooooo many different feds that have so many different rules/regulations that there really isn't a solid, general, basis for judging. Excluding the fact about drug testing and whatnot, there simply is no unity. True PLers' love to help out others, still there isn't any unity. I was reading some comments from a video from the SweattShop in Ohio, and one of their lifters was discrediting Mark Ripp's Squat Form teaching...now granted the book is for a novice lifter, still where is the respect for guys like him? I don't care how far along you are in your lifting career, you still need to have respect for those who laid the foundation! This may be just turning into a rant, but PL will always be a backyard sport in comparison to others because of ignorance that runs rampant...

[BendtheBar]

I think lack of focus always hurts a sport. Though the IFBB and Weider have been demonized, in many cases for good reasons, they have invested money into developing a singular focus and goal.

The World's Strongest Man and UFC have both done this for their sports, though in different ways. They created a sport and stayed with it.

Powerlifting probably would be in a better position if there was a singular money source funding one of the larger organizations. Imagine if the IFBB would have embraced one of the powerlifting federations back in the 70s.

Natural bodybuilding lacks the same focus as powerlifting. Heck, at some of the natural shows there are nearly 300 competitors! Huge, and the auditoriums are packed.

I think powerlifting needs a money and marketing source that can polish the rough edges. I have heard the debate that it needs drug testing to be taken seriously. I don't buy that at all. World's Strongest Man doesn't have it. I don't think gear is killing the sport either. Gear is merely another side of the sport.

I just think it comes down to a money source and a strong, singular goal/organization.

Just my uneducated opinion.

[Mr.Silverback]

True enough BTB...

[Tannhauser]

I think it's a participant's sport, rather than a spectator's. I don't think it's something that the average spectator would get very much out of watching, for several reasons:

1. It's hard to relate to the weights being used. Most people haven't got a clue what 100kg, 200kg, or 400kg actually means. It's just a bunch of plates. This is where strongman scores over powerlifting, because with events like car deadlifts, you get some sort of sense of the weight.

2. It's too static and slow. Oly lifting is more interesting to watch: it has a bit of speed and drama to it.

3. The range of motion is too small to be visually interesting. I understand the reasons for this, but for some of the heaviest benches, it looks as though the bar is moving about 6". You can see why people don't want to watch that.

4. There can be a freakshow atmosphere. Again, look at some of the meets from the average spectator's point of view: a three hundred pound man waddles up to the squat bar in a suit he can hardly walk in. He puts the bar on his shoulders, surrounded by other very large men. A lot of other burly, goateed men are bellowing and hollering. Heavy metal is blaring. He turns purple in the face, drops about a foot and stands up again. More shouting and whooping. Many will be asking 'what was all that about?' It's like a monster truck rally without the trucks.

5. There is little sense of athleticism, in the heavyweight lifters. Although they may have CV fitness, a lot of heavyweights look like professional darts players, not athletes. It's not what people are used to seeing in a sporting competition.

I love powerlifting, and even I get bored after watching it for a while.

[Ryano]

I agree totally with Tannhauser. It's just not a spectator sport. When I'm lifting "bench only" in a full power meet, I don't watch any of the squats unless I know the lifter personally or the guy has 1000+ on his back. I don't watch the deadlifts at all. It's just not that interesting to me.

Bottom line, without spectators, no $$$.

[Off Road]

I will add that the action never changes in powerlifting. It's always the same three lifts, over and over again. I think that's why strongman and crossfit took off so rapidly, the events are always changing.

[Mr.Silverback]

these are all very interesting points and not to mention I almost fell out my chair laughing at Tann's description of PLing...LMBO!!!

[Davis]

I agree completely with Tann. Besides, other than those who lift hard regularly, who really wants to watch a squat? Or someone pick something up once only to set it back down and briefly shout in excitement? Naturally, powerlifting is boring. That said, I love it.

[J_Byrd]

Originally Posted by Davis

I agree completely with Tann. Besides, other than those who lift hard regularly, who really wants to watch a squat? Or someone pick something up once only to set it back down and briefly shout in excitement? Naturally, powerlifting is boring. That said, I love it.

Valid points...but everyone wants to know what you bench! haha

[austin.j.taylor]

Originally Posted by J_Byrd

Valid points...but everyone wants to know what you bench! haha

Easily my favorite question