[Dylan5000]

I've noticed from the other threads that you're an experienced powerlifter, and one of the few guys on the board qualified to offer advice.

So, I switched to more strength-based routines 6 months ago after doing the bodybuilding "split" routines for about 2 years (I'm 20 now). My first foray into PL'ing was an 8-week Ed Coan-style periodization routine, at the end of which I benched 280, squatted 405 and pulled 405, with no powerlifting gear. People tell me I've got good structure/genetics for PL'ing (my father, actually, maxed out at 370 on the bench with NO routine and NO assistance work, a half-assed diet, and NO drugs, so he was a quite a genetic wonder himself). I'm also drug free and will continue to be for at least 4 more years.

Anyway, my questions are with regards to your progress: How much harder was it to progress to, say, a 400 bench than it was to get to 300? How long did it take you to really find a training style that worked for you? What advice would you give to aspiring powerlifters? Eventually I'd like to do a 400 natural raw bench: I know this is tough to answer but do you think this is feasible, based on my progress so far?

I'll be travelling all day tomorrow but will check the board later tomorrow night - any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[roccodart440]

Alot of poepl have had great results on the Ed cOan style training. WHile it is a bit dated it is still effective.

What is your weight/height? I'm assuming by your lifts you are very light.

Judging by your father achievemnts you may have been blessed with some decent genetics. THis is always a plus.

I am glad you are drug free and that your dad benched 370 drug free. DOn't brag that up too much though. It makes you come across like you discredit AAS users. As you should know AAS isn't a magic pill that automaticly makes you a freak. NOw being drug free at your age is smart and also to some degree an advantage for thime being as Pl'ing has tested and non-tested divisions.

I started traning at 14 years of age, much more like a bb'er. At 17 years old I benched 300. I wish I knew then what I know now. At 27 I benched 385 drug free. NOw ther was some time off in the latter years but it is definitly harder to go from 300-400 than it is to go from start to 300. Right now I am trying to get to 500 raw.

I feel like I never found a good routine until about a year ago.

My advice to aspiring powerlifters would be to get on the net and hang out at some reputable boards. Try to met people in thew PL'ing community. Get into a powerlifting gym and leave the globo gyms to the tight shirt wearing BB'er wannabees that will never step on a stage because they will never reach that caliber. LEave behind the bodybuilding .com cronies.

HEre are some boards to go to.
Fortified iron
MEtal militia
TEam sniffy
Steroidology

Those will get you somewhere. ALso don't ever believe that powerlifting means being fat and not looking god. I can name quite a few people that could sttep on a bodybuidling stage in 3 months or less if they wnated too and likely place.

A 400 natual bench press is actually quite an accomplishment. WHen you get into pl'ing you lose sight of what weight realy means to the average Joe. Is 400 feasable for you? I don't know. It wil depend more on your size that anything else. I can't really asses you progress until I knwo your size.

[Funky_monkey]

i'm a member of FI and the powerlifting advice on there is great. A lot of top notch guys on there such as shawn latimmer, mike wolfe, nick winters etc. i just remembered this forum and thought i'd log on to see what was up in the bodybuilding community

[Dylan5000]

Originally Posted by roccodart440

What is your weight/height? I'm assuming by your lifts you are very light.

Nope, just weak . I'm 5'10 and 200 pounds; I realize that my lifts aren't great right now, but to be honest I'm very happy with my results so far - it was my first time maxing out.

Originally Posted by roccodart440

I am glad you are drug free and that your dad benched 370 drug free. DOn't brag that up too much though. It makes you come across like you discredit AAS users.

I apologize if I came off that way - I certainly don't think anything less of athletes just because they use gear ; in fact I get tired of the high-and-mighty attitude of some natural trainers who think that enhanced athletes' accomplishments are worthless. My only reason for saying that was to illustrate the genetic potential that my father had and that I hopefully have as well.

Originally Posted by roccodart440

At 17 years old I benched 300.

Damn, that's impressive. I probably won't reach 300 until Feb or March.

Originally Posted by roccodart440

NOw ther was some time off in the latter years but it is definitly harder to go from 300-400 than it is to go from start to 300.

That's what I figured, but I just wanted to get your confirmation on that. All things considered, I suppose, it wasn't hard for me to reach a 280 bench and 300 should come pretty steadily.

Originally Posted by roccodart440

I feel like I never found a good routine until about a year ago.

Now I have to ask what that routine is . It seems like everyone these days is using Westside; what system do you follow?

Originally Posted by roccodart440

ALso don't ever believe that powerlifting means being fat and not looking god. I can name quite a few people that could sttep on a bodybuidling stage in 3 months or less if they wnated too and likely place.

Oh I believe that - when I first started looking into Westside, I couldn't believe the amount of muscle mass these guys carried. Especially Dave Tate, since he's dropped some of the extra bodyfat, looks like he's ready for a BB'ing stage.

Originally Posted by roccodart440

Is 400 feasable for you? I don't know. It wil depend more on your size that anything else. I can't really asses you progress until I know your size

Yeah, I really don't know how much weight I'll need to put on before I start moving some big weights. What are your stats? Did you have to put on alot of mass before started lifting really heavy? As you can see I've still got much to learn

Originally Posted by roccodart440

HEre are some boards to go to.
Fortified iron
MEtal militia
TEam sniffy
Steroidology

Those will get you somewhere.

Cool, I will definitely check those out.

Thanks very much for the advice dude, I really appreicate it.

[roccodart440]

5'10 200 pounds is a very good base. YOu should do well.

My stats. 6' 265-280 pounds.

My 1st routine was basicly a combo of west side and metal militia. NOw I pretty much do metal militia but i'll add in anything that I think will work. SOmetimes it does and other times it doesn't.