Contrary to popular belief, bodybuilding and powerlifting are two different sports altogether, with major distinctness in their basics and principles. Fitness icon and powerlifter Larry Wheels has taken it upon himself to elucidate the difference between these two sports.

At the beginning of the year, Wheels had changed his training tactics to workout like a bodybuilder, making him the right person to delve into the distinctions between the two sports. Wheels shared his personal experience of training like a bodybuilder and the tactics they used to grow immense muscles. 

In a recent YouTube video, the powerlifter touched upon a basic question that many fitness and bodybuilding enthusiasts ask frequently. Fans often ask why despite bodybuilders and powerlifters training the same way, “none of them look like a pro bodybuilder“? Wheels explained the reason behind this.

The young fitness icon shared, “They’re all doing squats, bench presses, and bench and deadlift and they all do basic row lifting.” But the “main difference from what I’ve seen is just those slow reps,” the fitness sensation said in the video. Slow reps, therefore, are the major that whole difference between powerlifters and bodybuilders.

Slow reps increase the time under tension, which directly affects muscle gains and makes a huge difference. Bodybuilders primarily focus on high-volume training and with lighter weights. On the other hand, powerlifters train at low volume with heavy weights and perform lower reps.

In a similar fashion, Wheels had explained how he filled the gains on his chest.

Wheels followed bodybuilding training for his chest

In a previous Instagram video Wheels shared that he used to do six-hundred-pound incline bench presses for a long time. But since the start of this year, the powerlifter changed his training methods. He started training like a bodybuilder and felt a lot of changes in his upper chest.

The young fitness icon mentioned that the slow reps and correct form have led to him having many improvements. Along with that, the powerlifter emphasized working on getting a good range of motion. After training like a bodybuilder, Wheels highlighted that, “Now it’s full, now I got a big t***y like its legit round from top to bottom.“

Since Wheels has trained like both a powerlifter and a bodybuilder, he shared the differences between them thoroughly. While both techniques have their own benefits, it’s up to you to train in the way that suits you the most. Which training style will you follow? Let us know in the comments.