"Bulking up" for strength... is it fact or fiction?

[dyslexic]

Some powerlifters (and bodybuilders) believe that they become stronger with added mass- regardless of whether it is fat or muscle. Granted, the preference would be muscle, but the reality (especially in Powerlifting) is that the bulk is fat. Proportionately the fat to muscle content is much higher than that of (even an "offseason") competitive Bodybuilder.


Here's the question: "Do you think fat ads an advantage to heavier lifting?"


Some might say that the extra fat and water protects the joints better, which in turn makes the joints more stable, stronger and less likely to be injured

Here's the kicker though: Wouldn't intramuscular fat (the fat between the muscle fibers) hinder muscular contraction? This in turn would make you weaker, not stronger.

This leads me to believe that the leaner you are, the stronger you will be.


Thoughts?

[_bruce_]

Could be true - the fatter and more bloated I am - the weaker... just huff and puff and no go...

[jpm101]

1. Fat adds an advantage to heavy lifting....yes, for those who train for power. May also induce a psychological factor in the lifter.

2. Fat & water protect the joints...no, not so much.

3. Intramuscular fat halt or limit full muscle contraction...perhaps. If extremely obese (500-600 lbs on a somewhat normal body frame) than yes. The great Paul Andersen comes to mind as huge muscle mass combined with an obese condition. Though Andersen could not go much lower than 90 degrees in a squat due to muscle mass and some body fat. (just to note: full ROM does not always mean complete muscle contraction)

Most bwt class lifters are usually leaner and more muscular than the lifters in the upper class bwt. Pound for pound, these lighter class lifters are much more impressive, stronger, and healthier than the lard buckets of the extreme upper weight classes.  Good Luck.

[chaos]

This leads me to believe that the leaner you are, the stronger you will be.


Thoughts?

If that were true wouldn't bodybuilders be the strongest instead of those fat powerlifters?

[local hero]

the great marius pudzionovski always beat the drum for the lean cause, fat doesnt make u strong etc...

in my own experience, when im chucking down cals for fun with a bit extra chub on me, ive always felt stronger and much more confident on goin for the heavier weights

[powerpack]

Yes that is why there are weight groups in many sports.
A trained athlete in a sport like Judo can usually lift double his body weight, so some one who is 10kgs heavier is actualy 20kgs stronger.

[tbombz]

well you dont necessarily need extra calories for strength adaption. when calories are dropped, usually growth adaptation is reduced, while strength adaptation remains... probably due to the fact that strengtth adaptations are mostly neurophysiological and not really dependant on increase in muscle size. growth of a muscle does give that muscle more "strength potential" though, as the maximum force a muscle can generate is limited by its size and density(among other things).