Is it possible for 5'8'' lifter be competitive in 165 category (esp. deadlift)

[haliv]

Just want to see some opinions, examples, stories, etc. I like being 165, and my deadlift should be over 500 by Nov/Dec. That'd would let me be competitive raw dead-lifter at national level in some less prestigious federations.

How tall are average 165 lifters?

[samsuperjew]

why would you want to stay 165 :/

whatever makes you happy i guess

[skinnycalves]

Do you guys feel this is true?

I feel like given a persons height that they are predestined to have the ability to put up their highest Wilks score in a certain weight class.

Heres how I'd estimate where you should be
5'3-5'4 - 165
5'4'5'5 - 181
5'6-5'7 - 198
5'8-5'9 - 220
5'10 -5'11 - 242
5'11 - 6' - 275
6'+ - 275+

Something roughly around their is how I'd estimate ideal height as per weight class.

Theres obviously certain freaks of nature who shatter this mold (Ed Coan). Anybody else even thought about this?

Here you go.

[koyongi]

Well, a 500 DL would put you 42nd on the powerliftingwatch rankings, and a 501 would make you 32nd. I only know one 165er in the top 50, though, and he MIGHT be 5'6".

[skinnycalves]

Didn't DieselWeasel pull 525 at 165? He is 5'6".

[haliv]

... I guess I need to move up to at least 181 once I deadlift 500 in 165.

[Chokenpuke]

I guess the question should be, do you want to be strong for your size or STRONG?

[ShutUpAndSquat]

You're going to screw up your ability to recover from training sessions by trying to restrict your weight. You're skinny, you don't have a whole lot of bodyfat, and you're nowhere close to reaching your full lifting potential. Just gain muscle and see where things take you.

[kthxbai]

It's interesting to see how that chart differs from the standard BMI chart. Assuming no steroid use, a 6' 275 lber would be hell of a lot fatter than someone who is 5'4", 165 lb, yet they have to be that way to put up their highest numbers relative to their bodyweight?

Ignoring the wilks and going purely by weight, could a 6'1" be reasonably competitive in 242 or even 220 or would he be blown away by the 5'9"s?

[skinnycalves]

Konstantin Konstantinivos is 6'4" and 275 and is probably the best 275 er in the world. Jason Govarin (i think thats his name) is like 6'+ and 165 and he kills in all of the lifts, not just one. Its rare but its certainly possible, you have to be a freak of nature though.

[Big Sexy J]

I never really thought about height/weight in PLing.

poopoo333=5'9ish 198

[Blindead]

yup. my friend is a state record holder in 2 states and he's 5'8''. although he's probably moving up out of the 165's soon. do what you do man.

[isaku900]

people here tend to bag on louie simmons, but paraphrasing what he's said regarding optimal weight classes is that you should keep gaining weight until your deadlift starts to go down due to your leverages, then drop to the weight class directly below that.

so if you gain weight and all your lifts keep moving up until you hit say...235lbs. then you should compete at 220.

if you only get to 205lbs and your deadlift stalls due to leverages...well then compete as a 198ers.

etc.

[koyongi]

people here tend to bag on louie simmons, but paraphrasing what he's said regarding optimal weight classes is that you should keep gaining weight until your deadlift starts to go down due to your leverages, then drop to the weight class directly below that.

so if you gain weight and all your lifts keep moving up until you hit say...235lbs. then you should compete at 220.

if you only get to 205lbs and your deadlift stalls due to leverages...well then compete as a 198ers.

etc.

Yeah, but Louie's not particularly concerned with aesthetics...

[samsuperjew]

you can look damn good at 5'8'' 198 lbs....

[Chokenpuke]

you can look damn good at 5'8'' 198 lbs....

Yeah, but your only 5'4" without your jewfro.

[PeonLover]

Height isn't a limiting factor on deadlift like it is on the other lifts as much. A tall lankyish lifter can be a good deadlifter.

The best raw 165 deadlift I've seen was a 19 year old hit 595 and he was 5'8.

But in general if you're 5'8 you should at least be @ 198 before your leverages start to get the best of you.

As I've gained weight I've managed to stay almost at the same % bodyweight deadlift so you'd obviously be more competitive the heavier you get as the same % bodyweight yields a higher wilks at heavier weights. (3.5X at 181, 3.35X at 200, and I plan on getting to about 3.3X at 215)

[Arlecchino]

people here tend to bag on louie simmons, but paraphrasing what he's said regarding optimal weight classes is that you should keep gaining weight until your deadlift starts to go down due to your leverages, then drop to the weight class directly below that.

This.

Why I never really made the move to 242. Except when I assed up my cut and failed to make weight.

[supy]

Height isn't a limiting factor on deadlift like it is on the other lifts as much. A tall lankyish lifter can be a good deadlifter.

The best raw 165 deadlift I've seen was a 19 year old hit 595 and he was 5'8.

But in general if you're 5'8 you should at least be @ 198 before your leverages start to get the best of you.

As I've gained weight I've managed to stay almost at the same % bodyweight deadlift so you'd obviously be more competitive the heavier you get as the same % bodyweight yields a higher wilks at heavier weights. (3.5X at 181, 3.35X at 200, and I plan on getting to about 3.3X at 215)

Best 165 deadlifter i witnessed was a 54 yr old masters who pulled 565 he was about 5'6" he just missed 575.
PeonLover youve got some impressive lifts bro
In the open division at the same comp a165 guy pulled 610 and just missed 645

[FrostyUSMC]

My cousin is 5'8" 165 and won a KY state champ ring and a weightclass record (i think it was national) for deadlifting 600 lbs. so im sure it's possible.

[Gr8Ape]

Didn't DieselWeasel pull 525 at 165? He is 5'6".

where is he now?

[skinnycalves]

He posts here every once in awhile.

[mikeatnscc]

To be honest though, no, it's not possible.

Sorry to be the baron of bad news.

[Perceptionist]

5'8" is not 'that' tall for a 165er... there are 165ers at 5'8'+ that can pull over 600.

[skinnycalves]

I have no idea how tall Alexander Govorin is but he is certainly taller than 5'8".



BTW anyone know how tall Chuck V is? He seems to be atleast 6 feet but he is very competitive in the 242s.

[jpitbullv]

The number one raw deadlifter at 165 in the US is Eric Talmant. He pulled 630 and is 5' 8". The deadlift isnt exactly like the other lifts when adding weight. Adding too much weight can hinder your deadlift. Not saying you shouldnt get bigger but finding the right weight class should be everyone's goal. However, it is possible to be a good deadlifter at 5' 8" and 165.

[skinnycalves]

ffffuuuuuuu I'm 5'10 185, i was hoping to be competitive in 181.


brb bulking.

Lol no, 220 at the very least, 242 is better, 275 or 308 is the best.

[haliv]

Thanks for all responses. I appreciate help and examples, I needed that. I'll probably move up to 181 at the end of November or so.

[skinnycalves]

if you're not "cheating" you aren't trying.

[juiyuanwu]

I'm about 5'4 170 and can pull 455, is pulling 495 pretty decent for an average lifter? I'm by no means a pler, just something I like to do.