Why do powerlifters have big bellies? (Here’s the reason why)

The appearance of a bigger belly in powerlifters, as opposed to a more muscular appearance, can be attributed to their high carbohydrate and calorie intake. This nutritional strategy is key to providing the energy needed to lift extremely heavy weights during their training routines.

It’s all about calorie consumption

I guess it’s pretty obvious that “big” in relation to the body usually occurs through calorie consumption.

You have to eat excess calories if you want to get bigger and stronger.

So if you’re wondering why you’re not putting on muscle even though you’re training like a demon, it’s because of your diet and nutrition.

Powerlifters are all about muscle and strength, so it’s only logical that they have to consume huge amounts of calories.

It is true that they are almost in a state of constant bulkiness.

Powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting heavyweights, as well as World’s Strongest Man contestants, will usually reveal some very large bellies.

The difference between a powerlifter and a bodybuilder

When you consider a bodybuilder, he too will initially go through a shrinking phase.

This includes high-intensity training and abundant food intake.

Basically, they do everything they can to grow as much muscle as possible.

Unfortunately, fat comes as part of the deal with all the extra calories.

However, the bodybuilder will then usually go through a cutting phase.

This involves following a very strict diet to eliminate fat.

In fact, I’m sure you’ve heard many bodybuilders live on chicken, broccoli and rice.

However, even an ingredient like rice is likely to take second place during a bodybuilder’s cutting phase.

They will also give up training, but will still work just enough to maintain as much muscle mass as possible.

In this regard, the cutting phase will also deplete the athlete of a lot of strength.

In essence, they become much weaker.

Now, if we look at things from a powerlifter’s point of view, the last thing they want is to lose strength and get weaker.

Powerlifting is about building as much raw power as possible.

This allows you to lift the heaviest loads within your capabilities.

So a powerlifter will not go through a cutting phase, especially when training for a competition.

Admittedly, shifting a lot of weight will burn a huge amount of calories.

The solution is once again in the intake of even more calories.

You have to remember that you can eat as “clean” as you want.

But excess calories are just that. If they are not burned during your normal daily activities, they will be stored as fat.

However, this is not of great importance to the powerlifter.

Greater body mass means the ability to move a greater mass of weights.

Powerlifters train with a lower volume

Another thing to consider is the total volume of work a powerlifter does during training.

Okay, so I mentioned before that shifting a lot of weight will burn a lot of calories.

However, it does not work in the same way as high volume training.

In addition, let’s not forget that it is impossible to see a decrease in body fat.

But the same cannot be said when it comes to adding body fat.

For the vast majority of us, excess calories will usually go straight to the stomach.

If you’ve ever changed your training protocols, you’ve probably noticed the same thing yourself.

Let’s say you’ve been really focused on hypertrophy and conditioning for a few months.

Then you decide to shift your focus to pure raw strength training.

Even though you’re lifting with the same intensity, if not more, you’ll usually notice that you’re gaining weight.

You’ll probably end up taking in more calories because your energy levels feel severely depleted from the workout.

Plus, even though you’re moving much heavier loads, your overall volume will drop significantly.

The type of training can produce a big belly

Now, when I talk about the “type of training” a powerlifter does, it’s not so much the lack of cardio and abs.

In fact, powerlifters will definitely train their abs and core.

Almost every movement we make originates from the core, so it is essential that a powerlifter has an extremely strong core.

In fact, crunches with heavy weights are part of a powerlifter’s training regimen.

Oh yes, even though powerlifters are in a constant state of bulk, they still train their abs.

But these are no ordinary abs with weights.

Depending on the athlete, you could be talking about doing sets of 15 reps with 300-500 lbs.

Yes, this will work the abs, but it will also build big slabs of abs.

You will also need to consider how these athletes use their weight belt.

While most of us will use a belt to stabilize the body and protect the lower back, a powerlifter also uses it to guide breathing.

During extremely heavy squatsdeadlifts and bench presses, athletes will literally push their stomachs out as hard as possible.

The goal here is to press your stomach as hard as you can into the waistband to provide extra support.

If you do this multiple times a day, for weeks, months and years, you will end up with a bigger belly.

Former powerlifter and current strength coach, Louie Simmonsonce stated, “If you want a small waist then powerlifting is not your sport.”

The role of steroids

Steroids can play a role in creating a big belly.

In fact, there is a term known as “roid intestines”although it is more common in bodybuilders than in powerlifters.

This is actually known as palumboism.

Then the oblique muscles thicken and actually push the rectus abdominis muscles outward.

In truth, it is not actually steroids that cause this “big belly”, but other performance enhancing drugs.

These include insulin, human growth hormone, and various anabolic peptide hormones.

In addition, the opposite can be said for certain steroids.

In fact, there are some steroids that will speed up your metabolism and increase your overall daily energy expenditure.

This will actually cause you to burn calories and body fat while improving your recovery so you can train harder and longer.

So, from a powerlifter’s point of view, to combat this “calorie burn” the obvious solution is to eat more.

And then we’re back to the beginning – more calorie consumption means more body fat.

Key learning points

• Powerlifters are required to take in massive amounts of calories to support their training.
• It’s not unheard of for powerlifters to eat DURING their workouts.
• Powerlifting training involves strong abdominal thrusting. The abdomen is usually “forced” into the weightlifting belt to direct the lifter’s breathing.
• Abs training for powerlifters involves heavy weights that will build large slabs of abdominal muscles, making the stomach look bigger.
• Steroids can play a role, whether it’s palumboism or the need to eat more calories.

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