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Thread: Realistic expectations for powerbuilding cycle?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
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    Default Realistic expectations for powerbuilding cycle?

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    Broad question:

    I'm a 50+ but generally fit lifter. Before the pandemic, I'd been doing mostly intermediate powerlifting training, but I ended up taking a year and a half off, between the inaccessibility of gyms, situational depression, etc. I've more or less maintained a reasonable weight, but I've lost a lot of muscle, and gained belly fat.

    I'm starting to lift again informally, just to get used to moving again. I've been thinking of running a bodybuilding or powerbuilding program for a few months before I return to dedicated strength work, and I'm wondering if there's a way to get a sense of what I could expect in, say, 12 weeks of hard and focused work (programming and nutrition). The Internet is full of everything from "Before/after of skinny (or pudgy) guy transforming into Zac Efron in 8 weeks!" to "You'll need a 16-month building phase before you start the real program." What is the range of realistic expectations for what I could accomplish in the next few months?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
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    North Texas
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    53,559

    Default

    What is "powerbuilding"?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
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    Default

    Hybrid program that combines powerlifting training with bodybuilding work.

    I don't want to give up any real strength work for a long time, but I'd like to try to look good too. At least at the start ;-)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    North Texas
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    53,559

    Default

    Ah. That explains the clever combination of the two terms. Look, Rambler, this is probably not a good board for you to post on. Maybe read the books, try to figure out what we're doing here, and come back later.

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