Weigth Class Question

Hi Jordan,

it’s been a long time! I hope ya’ll are doing well. I was coached by you a few years ago for a couple of years if you remember.
I went down from the -93kg class (Weight: 92.5kg - S:235kg, B:155kg, D:240kg) to the -83kg class. Mainly cause I felt to chunky, hardly couldn’t find pants and just felt overall not very athletic.

About me at the moment:
Age: 32 y/o
BW: 83.4kg
Height: 173cm
Waist: 32-33inch
BF: Probably about 14%
Squat: 225kg
Bench: 150kg
Deadlift: 220kg

My question now: Do you think I should stay in the -83kg weight class by maintining my weight (maybe eating in a small surplus) and getting my lifts up or should I move up a weigth class with a real slow bulk?
What is your take on this? Some input would be much appriciated cause i really can’t make up my mind.

All the best,

Daniel

Hey Daniel,

Long time, no talk.

I don’t really have any strong feelings about this, as it depends mostly on your goals. There’s no real reason to stay in 83 or max out the 93 weight class unless you are getting paid for this and I think the trajectory of your BW should reflect your strength and body composition goals.

Sounds like a slow gain fits with what you want to do.

-Jordan

Hi Jordan,

thank you for your answer.

My goal is just to be as competitive as possible in the sport of powerlifting. Sadly I’m not getting paid for any of that. I did a lot of research on the height per weight class. This went from measuring the wrist and ankle, telling me my max. amount of lean bodymass can be 78kg, to I should weigh -105kg for my height. In the back of my head I knew, there is only one person to ask to clear this up: You. I read a little bit through the forum and the quint essence I’m getting is that the weight class is not really determined by height. But by what then? How do I as an individual know what class suites him/her? What are the signs for „you should maybe move a weight class up“? Right now I have no problem to competing in the -83kg class by just cutting some water. But how long can I sustain progress in my lifts by maintaining weight in this class?

About your last sentence: Is that the hidden answer meaning „yeah you should bulk up“ :slight_smile: ?

-Daniel

The weight class you’ll be most competitive in is the one where you are able to lift the most weight relative to the other participants. I think height, lean body mass, and skeletal size all are likely predictive in some fashion, among others. However, I don’t think any single factor predicts what weight class you’re going to be the most competitive in.

To answer your other questions:

  1. You won’t really know what weight class is best for you without trying it. You’ve already participated in both and the results were reasonably similar. It’s likely that you’ll lift heavier weights at the higher weight class, though the explanatory power of weight gain causing strength increases isn’t great unless someone is very underweight/restricting energy intake substantially.

  2. There are no reliable signs of needing to move up a weight class that I’d feel comfortable saying publicly. It’s an individual decision based on a number of factors, e.g. competitiveness, preferences for body comp, importance, etc.

I’m not telling you to gain weight, but rather that I wouldn’t have any reservations about you trying to gain weight slowly.

I know you’re searching for a definitive answer, but it doesn’t exist here.

Thank you for your detailed answer Jordan. I greatly appreciate the time your taking for this.

I was trying to get a definitiv answer. But I understand what you are saying and where you are coming from.

With the bavarian- and german championships coming up I guess it’s good to stay in the -83kg class for now and make the best of it. After seeing how I’ll do, I will decide how to move on.

So far my cloth fit well, I feel comfortable, healthy and strong.
So let’s get it!

Thanks a bunch Jordan and be well!

-Daniel