Weightlifting vs Powerlifting vs Strengthlifting - What's the Difference?!

The terms weightlifting, powerlifting, and strengthlifting can all sound pretty similar - almost interchangeable - if you're unfamiliar with them, so Phil discusses the differences between the three barbell sports.
Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, 3rd edition (paperback)
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[@timinator1178]

I've never heard of strengthlifting before. How common is it? By the way, solid, concise and simple explanation. Short and sweet, just as it should be in today's age of impatient learning and instant gratification.

[@TestifySC]

Pretty belated response here, but thanks for the kind words. Powerlifting is certainly more common than strengthlifting. Strengthlifting is, on one hand, rather new, and on the other hand, not so new in the sense that the press has been around for a lot longer than the bench press. It’s pretty popular in Starting Strength circles, and it’s probably also worth noting that Mark Rippetoe (author and founder of Starting Strength) was also the creator of the CrossFit Total back in the day, which consists of the same three lifts - squat, press, and deadlift - that make up strengthlifting. We’ve been hosting strengthlifting meets as well as weightlifting meets for a while now, and we get quite a lot of traction in the general strength training community.

[@jcmclovin77388]

Then there is the push press which I think is in the cross-fit genre, comments?@@TestifySC

[@incurableromantic4006]

Simple, concise explanation. Appreciated.

[@TestifySC]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@XPXhumble]

thanks for the simple explanation.

[@TestifySC]

You are very welcome.

[@cleberdc2293]

Thanks for the video! Very clear and concise explanation

[@TestifySC]

You’re welcome - glad it was helpful!

[@hello88888]

Great video, thanks!

[@TestifySC]

You're very welcome, and thanks for the kind words!

[@user-ub4ul8cc8w]

Thank you for your explanation 😊

[@TestifySC]

You’re very welcome!

[@theshortswordman2068]

This was very helpful thanks

[@TestifySC]

You're very welcome - glad it was helpful!

[@stevesedgwick5789]

Well explained

[@TestifySC]

Thanks, Steve!

[@holdendegroot1770]

great vid

[@TestifySC]

Thanks very much!

[@crasnicul3371]

strengthlifting comps only allow the conventional dl whereas powerlifting allows sumo. thats another difference between the two.

[@TestifySC]

That is also true!

[@howtomtb9802]

Good video😃

[@TestifySC]

Thanks very much!

[@kashmikaakash]

❤️ from Sri Lanka

[@TestifySC]

Thanks!

[@kaz5150619]

Theres a strengthlifting fed in India where its incline bench hack squat and thc 'two handed curl' ( barbell curl from the floor)

[@TestifySC]

That's an entertaining combination - I'd watch it at least once :-)

[@MoisesZTech]

2:49 this now bothers me - good video btw

[@TestifySC]

Thanks, and sorry to ruin it for you :-)

[@kaz5150619]

Dam i miss the clean and press in the Olympics

[@TestifySC]

Agreed.

[@jcmclovin77388]

Interesting how the front squat is not in any competitive events.

[@TestifySC]

True. Probably a couple of good reasons, one of which is that it's built into the lift when it comes to the clean (admittedly, not as a standalone lift). Two, the loads lifted are significantly less than that of a squat (i.e., back squat) since the hips can't contribute nearly as effectively as they do in a squat, so it's not quite as interesting in that sense). Three, due to anthropometry issues, (i.e., long forearms relative to upper arms) far more people have issues getting a decent or even useable rack position.

[@TestifySC]

As a follow up - and this has come up in conversation before - I don't know that I'd have a problem with it if people wanted to change the rules of powerlifting and/or strengthlifting to allow either the squat or front squat. Mind you, I don't think anyone would actually choose to do the front squat, so it's probably useless to allow it (you can go to first base running backwards, but again, nobody chooses to do it), but there's probably not any issue in allowing it beyond that.

[@quinneaton4466]

I should've watched this video before signing up for your gym's weightlifting meet thinking it was powerlifting....

[@TestifySC]

No worries, Quinn, we will get that sorted out. It will be great to have you at the strengthlifting meet!

[@sarigaes4030]

From kerala indian 🔥

[@TestifySC]

Thanks!