# Path to best results

**URL:** <https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/path-to-best-results/13837>\
**Category:** Training Q&A \[Moderated\]\
**Created:** [August 27, 2023, 12:28pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/path-to-best-results/13837 "2023-08-27T12:28:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![JCalvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85f322/32.png) [@JCalvin](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/JCalvin)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2023, 12:28pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/path-to-best-results/13837/1 "2023-08-27T12:28:37Z")

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I have been training for strength with mostly powerlifting style programs for a couple of decades. I’d like to squeeze out as much progress as possible. I will be 39 next month. I have recently been doing bodybuilding training in hopes that adding muscle to my frame will produce some improvement in my powerlifting total after I return to powerlifting specific programming. My plan is to do a year of bodybuilding where my main focus is just increasing muscle mass. My 2 questions are; is this a viable strategy? Does dedicated bodybuilding actually produce more muscle mass gain on average when compared to a well designed powerlifting program considering that all other variables are the same except the programming?

age: 39  
weight: 185  
waist: 33  
Squat: 425  
bench: 350  
dl: 565  
all maxes done in past 6 months

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**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2023, 2:47pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/path-to-best-results/13837/2 "2023-08-27T14:47:36Z")

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JCalvin,

Thanks for the post. To the point, I do not think this approach is wise for improving your total.

By definition, hypertrophy-focused training is non specific for powerlifting…or at least it should be. Yes, hypertrophy-focused programming should produce more hypertrophy than a strength-focused program, as compromises are made in pursuit of both goals. There are large overlaps here where strength programs generate considerable size improvements and size focused programs produce increases in strength. We have discussed this in a number of places, here most thoroughly:

> **[Episode #205: Training For Strength vs. Training For Size](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-205-training-for-strength-vs-training-for-size/id1199780143?i=1000590890013)**
>
> Podcast Episode · Barbell Medicine Podcast · 12/21/2022 · 1h 6m

I do think that off season programming should be less specific than in-season/competitive season programming, but I do not think dedicating training resources to hypertrophy is likely to do anything positive to your total. I don’t think modest increases in muscle mass are likely to translate to a larger total.

-Jordan

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**Author:** ![JCalvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85f322/32.png) [@JCalvin](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/JCalvin)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2023, 3:34pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/path-to-best-results/13837/3 "2023-08-27T15:34:17Z")

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Thanks for the response. I’ll stick to a shorter block of hypertrophy training then get back to it!