200 or 231?

[Ryan Carey]

Okay I have been thinking lately about jumping from 200's to 231's. That said, I have a choice to make. In the Next 3 months I will be competing in Petaluma, Nationals and the Sacramento show. Right now my bodyweight is at 202 and I feel pretty good. Now I was gonna wait until after these 3 shows to make the jump so that I could compete at next years Fresno show in April at like a good 210-215.

Should I, wait until after the 3 shows or make a jump to the 231's at the Petaluma show?(Please give your opinions, I would greatly appreciate them)

Thanks!

[Mike Gill]

there is a huge difference between those two wt. classes. If you are serious about winning, I would slowly gain some mass and keep doing conditioning workouts and then cut to 200 for this years contests. You shouldn't put on more than 5 maybe 10lbs before nats. If you do anymore than that it will just be bloat and fat.

Don't forget, a lot of us at 231 walk around at 245-250 most of the time.

[Kalle Beck]

For you your strong enough that you could be competitive in the 231s. I think you should just add some size try to get around 208-212. You should still be able to cut to 200 from there if you really feel like competing at 200.

I think take a stab at nationals at 200 this year than since Sac is after nationals so really the start of the new season start moving up to 231 for that.

All the weights are usually the same for 200s and 231s so its not like it will be harder. Just more competitive. If you purposely have to eat light to stay at weight than IMO your holding yourself back in the long run as I am sure your longterm goal is go LW PRO

[brian kling]

I was planning on going up to 230 this year but i stayed around 215 a little to long so i decided to cut down to 200 for my nationals.

[Matt Schumann]

I say stay ithe 200's this year and slowlyadd good weight after your shows a over. Pretty Much what Gill said.....


Brian you would be good 231 bro... Good to have another tuff athlete in the division.

[brian kling]

Maybe next year. The highest i got this year was 219 for a day but it was the best day of my life even though it was water, haha. Summer has been very tough though as i do painting now and not working for my friend who is a bodybuilder and allows me to take food breaks when ever i want during the day. I plan to add on another good 20lbs of solid mass this year though so i should be near the top of the 231s next year i hope. Just takes time to add mass, gotta be patient. :(

[dronga]

take it from me, I've been under 200, 231, and HW... Stay where you fell most comfortable, and if you're going to move up a class, do it the right way, slowly gain muscle, don't pig out and get bloated. Good luck with your decision.

[MarkSikora]

Ryan,

Stay at 200 for Nat's for sure. You have a great chance of doing very well.

For our contest, the weights will be the same for the lw's, so.....if you put on some lbs., just do it as a 231....if you are still close to 200, do it as a 200.

For a guy your age, strength, and skill level, the move to 231 will be inevitable, imho. You will need to seek out greater challenges.

Like I told you before, the 200's, while growing in numbers and quality, is still kind of a weigh station for most. It's a combo of: young guys like yourself still filling out to 231, broken down old guys that are too lazy/scared//etc to get and stay at 231, and the few "true" 200 lb guys out there. There are and always will be great guys at 200, so there will be challenges for you, esp. at the National level.....

(no offense to anyone with that "old lazy/scared comment, I was describing myself mostly).

It might be hard to forcibly gain weight for Petaluma, then try to get back down for Nat's....but you know what you can/can't do.

I didn't mean to start rambling....you will do well at whatever class you decide to compete in. :IMHO:

see ya

Mark

[Ryan Carey]

Thanks alot guys. I value all your opinions. I def feel strong enough to be competitive in 231's but I think if I gave it a little time to gain 10-15 lbs then I would be a real force in the 231's. Once again, Thanks to everyone for giving your opinion.

[Billy Wolt]

it depends on your goals, and imho there is nothing for a 200'lber in this sport. sure there are some contests for 200's, and they even include that weight class in nationals to make them feel good, and to collect some $$$. But the bottom line is, there are only 2 classes w/pro cards, and the most recognition would come from the HW class.

that said, if you are competing just for fun and don't have a care in the world of becoming a pro, then stick at the weight you are most comfortable. There are some guys that are very passionate about becoming, and there are only 2 weight classes were that is possible.

[Pat Wilson]

it depends on your goals, and imho there is nothing for a 200'lber in this sport. sure there are some contests for 200's, and they even include that weight class in nationals to make them feel good, and to collect some $$$. But the bottom line is, there are only 2 classes w/pro cards, and the most recognition would come from the HW class.

that said, if you are competing just for fun and don't have a care in the world of becoming a pro, then stick at the weight you are most comfortable. There are some guys that are very passionate about becoming, and there are only 2 weight classes were that is possible.

Correct. Im with you on this one Billy.

[Ryan Wells]

it depends on your goals, and imho there is nothing for a 200'lber in this sport. sure there are some contests for 200's, and they even include that weight class in nationals to make them feel good, and to collect some $$$. But the bottom line is, there are only 2 classes w/pro cards, and the most recognition would come from the HW class.

that said, if you are competing just for fun and don't have a care in the world of becoming a pro, then stick at the weight you are most comfortable. There are some guys that are very passionate about becoming, and there are only 2 weight classes were that is possible.
Ding, ding, ding...we have a winner.

[Ryan Wells]

Who ever negative repped me for the above is obviously a little man and more than likely closeted. Does anyone really think I lose a wink of sleep over rep points. :M:

[Ryan Brown]

it depends on your goals, and imho there is nothing for a 200'lber in this sport. sure there are some contests for 200's, and they even include that weight class in nationals to make them feel good, and to collect some $$$. But the bottom line is, there are only 2 classes w/pro cards, and the most recognition would come from the HW class.

that said, if you are competing just for fun and don't have a care in the world of becoming a pro, then stick at the weight you are most comfortable. There are some guys that are very passionate about becoming, and there are only 2 weight classes were that is possible.


I tend to disagree. If the sport offers nothing other than a chance for a pro card then I would recommend that about 90% of the competitors quit right now and take up roller skating or something. 75% of these 90% know that a pro card is not in the cards for them. The remaining 25% of this 90% are dilusional, but I guess as long as they are having fun that is fine.

To me there is a lot more to the sport than the opportunity for a pro card. To me you should compete in the weight class where you feel comfortable from a lifestyle standpoint. It's not like once you go pro you get to heaven or something--basically you just do more contests just like you have been doing.

Having said all of this, if the original poster really wants a pro card then go for it. I'd put the weight on slow and easy.

[Jessejobe]

I don't really how someone can say there is nothing for a 200lb competitor in this sport. If winning a national title is nothing then I feel sorry for somebody that thinks that. To me this is the same thing as thinking why play college football if you don't have a chance to make it to the NFL. I just cut down from 245 to 200 and feel the best I have ever have. I never had aspirations of being a pro, I just like to compete. But I also like to be competitive and I know being in the 200lb class once my strength gets back to where it was I will be very competitive.

Just my thoughts.


Jesse Jobe

[brian kling]

It is like this in all sports IMO tho. Boxing, mma, etc. all save the heavies for the main attraction. People want to see freaks doing insane stuff, not a small guy lifting a good amount of weight for his size. The ratio is irrelevent, its the overall weight that impresses people. Personally i would rather see a 300lb guy bench 550lbs then a 200lbs guy bench 300 even though the bodyweight to weight lifted ratio is better.

[Jim Stevens]

It is like this in all sports IMO tho. Boxing, mma, etc. all save the heavies for the main attraction. People want to see freaks doing insane stuff, not a small guy lifting a good amount of weight for his size. The ratio is irrelevent, its the overall weight that impresses people. Personally i would rather see a 300lb guy bench 550lbs then a 200lbs guy bench 300 even though the bodyweight to weight lifted ratio is better.


I agree with this post 100 % ! Great post.

[Matt Schumann]

For me.... Having a successful career as a lightweight was just more realistic than having a successful career as a HW. I use to be a heavyweight but when you see the guys at the top of the food chain deadlifting 800+, 400lb log etc.... and your battling to get a 600lb deadlift etc... It hard to keep motivated.


For me, atleast there was some sence of hope in the lightweight division. The crazy numbers that the lghtweight pro's put up are alot more feasable. 700lb deadlift, 300lb log etc...

[Scott Markowitz]

Personally i would rather see a 300lb guy bench 550lbs then a 200lbs guy bench 300 even though the bodyweight to weight lifted ratio is better.

Without commenting on the underlying point, you might want to check your math:

300# guy benching 550# = 183% bw
200# guy benching 300# = 150% bw

[Ryan Carey]

I tend to disagree. If the sport offers nothing other than a chance for a pro card then I would recommend that about 90% of the competitors quit right now and take up roller skating or something. 75% of these 90% know that a pro card is not in the cards for them. The remaining 25% of this 90% are dilusional, but I guess as long as they are having fun that is fine.

To me there is a lot more to the sport than the opportunity for a pro card. To me you should compete in the weight class where you feel comfortable from a lifestyle standpoint. It's not like once you go pro you get to heaven or something--basically you just do more contests just like you have been doing.

Having said all of this, if the original poster really wants a pro card then go for it. I'd put the weight on slow and easy.

U hit the nail right on the head. Its not about going pro. I love strongman. I just want to test myself after gaining more experience in the 200's. I didnt mean to knock the 200lb class or anything. The 200 class has alot of good competitors. Just feel like sooner or later imma make the jump and try for a pro card. Just wanted some opinions and there has been alot. Thanks everyone!

[brian kling]

Yeah scott, me and math dont get along. I'm so lazy id use a calculator for 8+7.