Bodybuilding and powerlifting are both types of resistance training workouts that build strength and tone the body. Deciding which style of training is best for you depends on what your personal goals are and what you are willing to commit to in regards to training.
Bodybuilding and powerlifting have a completely different approach in terms of training as well as nutrition. They are both two different sports with two different end results as the goal. Bodybuilders are all about building size and getting lean so that their physique can be competition ready. On the other hand, powerlifting focuses on strength, not size or physique.
Any person that can commit to either style of training and with the right level of support from private personal trainers specializing in either bodybuilding or powerlifting can be successful.
Bodybuilders spend a lot of time doing many reps to get lean and toned. They focus on building lean muscle tissue with sizable gains and consume high protein diets to support that new muscle growth and for faster recovery times between workouts.
Their finished goal is a perfectly chiseled body where each muscle has a definition. Personal strength is not a goal of theirs.
Meanwhile, powerlifters focus on strength alone. They do not consume special diets to make them leaner. Only consume diets that support the power training programs they use and extremely strong and focus all growth on getting stronger, not leaner.
Each type of athlete has their own unique body type so each person within their respected sport will look different. Bodybuilders spend a lot more time in the gym doing many reps, while powerlifting can be done productively during gym workouts and allows the athlete the opportunity to have a good balance between training, work, and home life.
Choosing what your final goal is and looking at time commitments for training will help you to decide on which type of resistance training you want to commit to.