Conclusion: Do You Want to Train to Get Lean or Strong?
The bottom line here is that getting lean (or “ripped”) and getting strong are two different goals that can ultimately be achieved at the same time, but can’t be trained for at the same time.
Some guys just want to be strong, and don’t care about aesthetics, which is why you often see powerlifters who don’t look “in shape” or “ripped” like an action movie star, but are still strong as all get out.
On the other side of the spectrum, you’ve got guys who just want to consistently look good in a tank top, are lean and ripped, and don’t care that they’re not pulling in huge numbers on their lifts.
Finally, there are guys who want to get as strong as possible, but also sometimes want to shed their power belly, and they work on these respective goals in phases: first bulking up, and then leaning out.
Whichever category you fall into, just understand what you’re aiming for, and what’s possible when.
Share This Post
