You're right about a lot of things. Yes, many powerlifters in the heavier divisions, especially at the top end of 308-SHW are carrying way too much bodyfat and are extremely unhealthy. They usually have very high blood pressure, horrific crippling lower back pumps every time they try to workout, get winded walking up a flight of stairs, sleep apnea etc. I've seen several with the tell tale dark/shiny/pitted edema on the lower legs showing heart issues. Some of the honest ones admit this and know it is horrible for them but admit they are doing it just to be able to lift more weight and hopefully will lose weight when they stop competing. They literally only care about their total and are willing to wreck their health to just get a few more lbs. They can be as bad as any bodybuilder on social media. Posting every workout they do involving one of the big 3 lifts of their exact poundages and reps day after day after day.
Others are in complete denial and scared to lose so much as a couple of pounds for fear of getting weaker. Many have tried losing weight only to find their strength start to drop, often due to leverage/support changes and not muscle loss. They then go into panic mode and start eating very heavy again. They post pictures of their nosebleeds after a hard workout thinking it's "hardcore" when in reality it means you are being stupid and very unhealthy. They deep down know this too but are in denial. You'd be amazed at the amount of stimulants and quick acting drugs many of them take on meet day.
However powerlifting has been slowly changing and in the divisions up to 275, and even some lower 308's, there have been more and more successful powerlifters staying relativity lean, doing cardio and actually looking strong and not just like a big fat dude walking down the street. Hopefully this trend will continue. I've been seen it more and more and it looks like many are wising up.
