Usually, people mistake and mix those 4 very different types of sports / and competitions together. Let’s bring clarity to the table. while they carry some similarities towards each other, yet they are very different in nature.

Weightlifting:

In weightlifting, there are two different exercises that are important during competition. You are being judged on the snatch and on the clean and jerk. Everything that is being done during training is to get the athlete to become more efficient at those two exercises. So therefore, the athlete will perform various of different exercises for the snatch, such as the muscle snatch, power snatch, snatch pulls, etc. just to, at the end, improve the full snatch. For the clean and jerk, the athlete will perform additional power cleans, push press, jerks from the rack, hang cleans, etc. Most weightlifters will squat a lot, but then there are some, who do not, at least not too much. Weightlifters know that the Squat is considered an accessory exercise. Most weightlifters do also perform variations of deadlifts, and sometimes implement regular deadlifts. Most weightlifters will make it their priority to finish their workouts with clean pulls, aka deadlifts with a pull at the end or snatch pulls. Weightlifters spend hours in the gym. Usually they have more than 10 sessions a week in the gym. We use bumper plates, not regular weights, and during competition at least, the weight is calculated in KGs, not in Lbs. Weightlifting does not have anything to do with bench press. However, it is to add, that you better believe that a lot of weightlifters get under the bar and press a lot of weight without any issues. This is because the muscularity in most is very developed. Plus, it is to say that weightlifters spend a lot of time in the gym. Therefore, when there is some time available on a light day, why should we not do some benching for fun.

Powerlifting

The brothers of weightlifters. All their training is geared around the improvement for the bench-press, the deadlift and the squat. They will go to a competition, to break their PRs. Same as in Weightlifting, their max effort in each category is counted together to form their total. Also, same as in weightlifting, you do have different weight categories. A 150 lbs. powerlifter will not be grouped together with a 300 lbs. powerlifter. This is just not happening and does not make sense.

Bodybuilding

Another brother of theirs is considered bodybuilding. Their training is geared towards looks and aesthetics. They usually do a lot of volume training and are very careful about their eating habits, sometimes weighing their food. They usually do not do 1 rep maxes and probably do not care about PRs. They are highly dedicated to the gym as well.

CrossFit

Another brother of the above mentioned. Nowadays very known in the fitness industry, they have great high-quality athletes in their ranks. They are all-around conditioned athletes. Usually, a weightlifter, powerlifter or a bodybuilder is not interested in running a fast mile. Weightlifters and Powerlifters might jog around the block or use a bike to warm up for the workout ahead, bodybuilders might do the same or just walk on a treadmill. CrossFit athletes usually are able to do everything. In contrast to the others mentioned above there are more the jack of all trades, instead of masters of a specific trade. However, again some of their best athletes can compete in weightlifting, bodybuilding and powerlifting at a very high level.