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Author Topic:   Ethnicity And Muscle Size
Pops
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 172)
posted June 20, 2000 04:51 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Pops   Click Here to Email Pops     Edit/Delete Message

hello guys,

ive often wondered about different races and their ability to gain muscle. as we all know, africans rule when it comes to genetics, it gets no better, either in bodybuilding or sports. then you got the germans and eastern europeans who also generally have very good genetics for muscle size. of course you have other races who are not so blessed for muscle size: asians, hispanics, etc. being of mexican indian and spanish decent, my genetics are nasty for bodybulding. i suppose that each race has its attributes depending on the sport.

my question is: what is the ethnic profile of elite fitness members and how would you rate your success in weight training (strength, size and training history)? HONESTLY.

race: hispanic(mexican indian x spanish)

weight:210 lbs

strength: below average, bench press: 225 for 1 rep

size: slightly above average, 16 1/4 inch arms

training history: ive been training WITH CARBS since january.

i know the size and strength category is pretty vague, but its the best i could think of, any suggestions?

-Pops

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scott825
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 353)
posted June 20, 2000 05:06 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for scott825   Click Here to Email scott825     Edit/Delete Message
Im full german & have always thought that it may play
a role in the good genetics i have ,but who knows..

this topic might go better in the C&C

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Ph4t
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 153)
posted June 20, 2000 05:07 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ph4t     Edit/Delete Message
wow... 225 is pretty light when compared to your weight.

..train hard for strength, you'll see big results.

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Natymike
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 179)
posted June 20, 2000 05:52 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Natymike     Edit/Delete Message
I learned in plenty of History classes that when slave selection took place, they selected only the biggest and strongest of all the Africans, this explains why Africans in the US have such unbelievable genetics, its because they inherited them from their ancestors.

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dahmer
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 279)
posted June 20, 2000 08:47 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for dahmer   Click Here to Email dahmer     Edit/Delete Message
Asian-Ectomorph

I am a really hard gainer. Just started my first and I think I have found what it takes to get large!!! All those years of lifting and all the supps never gave me what this little mini cycle has done so far!!! I am a true believer in the power of GEAR!!! Already planning next cycle and I am not even half way through with this one!!!

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mightydog
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 197)
posted June 20, 2000 09:16 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mightydog   Click Here to Email mightydog     Edit/Delete Message
Its a fact that different races have a different proportion of fast twich muscle fibers. But look at the bright side, in these countries where genetics are so so, they can get roids much easier!

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Irish
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 20)
posted June 20, 2000 09:17 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Irish   Click Here to Email Irish     Edit/Delete Message UIN: 73313542
Irish, best damn genetics out there!!!!!!!!
6'0 220#

Above average strength. I don't push a max because i was a pitcher in college and ended up having surgery on elbow.

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Iron God
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 93)
posted June 20, 2000 02:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Iron God   Click Here to Email Iron God     Edit/Delete Message
Generalizations about race like that are hard to back up with hard evidence I say Americans are by far the physically largest and strongest race of people on Earth and it has much to do with our economic environment,society and our diverse gene pool. Plus food here is dirt cheap!!

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Nam Et Ipsa Scientia Potestas Est!

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SCHNiKEN
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 397)
posted June 20, 2000 02:32 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SCHNiKEN   Click Here to Email SCHNiKEN     Edit/Delete Message
How would you guys rate italions?

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mightydog
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 197)
posted June 20, 2000 02:41 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mightydog   Click Here to Email mightydog     Edit/Delete Message
Thats right Irish! You got to have the liver of an Irishman to handle lots of orals too. Problem with us Limmys and Irish is fighting all this friggin hair!

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lorenzo
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 165)
posted June 20, 2000 02:58 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for lorenzo   Click Here to Email lorenzo     Edit/Delete Message
Irish mostly with American Indian.
Stronger than average I suppose.... 365 x 6 on bench, squat 585 x 8 .....have never done a single rep max.

5'8" 205
Never will be big enough but am told I am big.
But I see Africans struggling with 225 on bench and they have very big round muscles, and ripped. People in every ethnic background have their problems and advantages. Some just have all the good genes. We are the lucky ones..

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mightydog
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 197)
posted June 20, 2000 03:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mightydog   Click Here to Email mightydog     Edit/Delete Message
Want to see strong. Check out pacific islanders, esp. the well fed ones!

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ItalianSweetness
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 291)
posted June 20, 2000 03:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ItalianSweetness     Edit/Delete Message
Irish People: --- I am not flaming you. If u guys get great results, more power to you. I am italian and i have lots of irish friends although we don't get along,hehehha. Anyway.....i have to say Irish people have the worst genetics i have seen of any persons around. They just can't get big that easy. I guess the irish curse comes in two forms now huh? heeheheh
Us italians don't have probs gettin big. I grow almost as good without roids, seriously. How many big italians did u see compared to irish.........maybe 100 to 1!

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ItalianSweetness
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 291)
posted June 20, 2000 03:08 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ItalianSweetness     Edit/Delete Message
Bump so all the irish can get mad! (kiddin )

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morereps
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 188)
posted June 20, 2000 03:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for morereps   Click Here to Email morereps     Edit/Delete Message
German myself. Live in US now.
5'8" 220 good genetics chest 48" before
bodybuilding after 2 years 50" waist 32"


I feel so small. I want to be a freak.

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PeteyPete
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 74)
posted June 20, 2000 03:22 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for PeteyPete   Click Here to Email PeteyPete     Edit/Delete Message
i'm not sure if i believe theories on ethnicity and muscle growth completely, i'm half irish and half italian and i have no prob gaining weight. Before i ever lifted a weight i had that naturally thin and lean build i got from my irish side, but i eat and lift and have been able to overcome my ectomorph genetics without any probs. I know people of every race whom have great genetics and shitty genetics. For example, Most asians are small, but there is this one vietnamese kid in my gym whom is huge.

I do believe that mabye african americans may be able to put muscle on faster then white's or asians, but from my experience they're usually never as strong, At my gym there is one black guy who looks bigger everytime i see him, nevertheless he's not strong at all.

There are always exceptions, there are easy and hard gainers in every race

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lorenzo
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 165)
posted June 20, 2000 07:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for lorenzo   Click Here to Email lorenzo     Edit/Delete Message
most of us Irish in America are of the diluted form. In other words I am a mutt...a good portion Irish then American Indian, English and who knows what the hell else.

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AY
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 211)
posted June 20, 2000 08:49 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for AY   Click Here to Email AY     Edit/Delete Message
I have to disagree with you there, Pete. I've seen several black guys and I personally believe they are blessed with the best genetics and strength. It may be because they possess more fast-twitch muscles. I've not yet come across a muscular black guy who was weak.

Being born of Asian stock myself, I honestly think that my generation still lacks in terms of size and strength. The younger generation, though, is relatively bigger. I think that the food they eat and the abundance of food plays a part in determining the size. I will not call myself a hardgainer, though, and while I started out small, I have totally changed my physique.

AY

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glenbenton
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 436)
posted June 20, 2000 09:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for glenbenton   Click Here to Email glenbenton     Edit/Delete Message
its true bro the blacks and itialians have the full genitic muscle advantage. i know this shit for a fact. irish germans like myself have a shitload of a hard time gaining the kind of muscle that blacks and itialians can gain easy. all my itialian friends could gain the kind of muscle in a couple monthes naturally that would take me a year or two to gain. its just the facts look at how much more ripped black dudes are with out having to even work out that often. look at every one of these black guys on mtv in the videos they are all ripped to the max. i doubt these guys dedicate their lives to weightlifting they just good black genes

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flossin1
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 115)
posted June 20, 2000 09:23 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for flossin1     Edit/Delete Message
German and not disapointed.

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Spunky
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 79)
posted June 20, 2000 09:32 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Spunky   Click Here to Email Spunky     Edit/Delete Message
I was not fortunate enough to have good genetics. But i've found w/ ppl like me who have to work hard to gain muscle tend to have a more of a drive. Sometimes thosed blessed w/ good genetics get lazy, they aren't forced to work as hard. I on the other hand try to work twice as hard as my genetically blessed friends so I can keep up w/ them. And eat twice as hard!

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Marauder
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 486)
posted June 20, 2000 09:44 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Marauder   Click Here to Email Marauder     Edit/Delete Message
I'm scot-irish with a little American indian.
I come from a long line of hellraising athletes like amateur boxers and track and football players...a few of my clan is in the special forces as well...although I hope to be the first navy SEAL. I have no problems getting in shape, for some reason my brother and I were always stronger and faster than any of the other kids in the neighborhood we lived in...we would always run around starting ;ittle "wars" ha ha damn i miss that shit! Marauder out. (sorry to rant)

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Schauen Sie welchen Gott hath wrought an!
"The ebb and flow of the Atlantic tide.. The Icy breath of the Antarctic.. The burning ecliptical sun on its journey of light.. These are just a few things I control in my world.."


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Zeke_B
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 24)
posted June 20, 2000 10:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Zeke_B   Click Here to Email Zeke_B     Edit/Delete Message
Watch those Worlds Strongest Man Competitions
The winners are usually Scandinavian.
(Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland). Those
dudes aren't built like bodybuilders though.

I am pretty much American mutt. I'm about
5'10 1/2" 195lb Long torso, long neck, short
legs, narrow shoulders, light build. Not a
great physique at all. I can bench press
250 for 5 no sweat. There's these two little
shits that go to my gym who are east asian
or possibly pacific islander. Both of these
guys have awesome builds and are VERY strong
for their size as near as I can judge.

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biggmack
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 188)
posted June 20, 2000 10:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for biggmack   Click Here to Email biggmack     Edit/Delete Message
I've always had the assumption that African Americans have the best muscle building ability, and cutting ability!

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Spunky
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 79)
posted June 20, 2000 10:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Spunky   Click Here to Email Spunky     Edit/Delete Message
I agree w/ the african american theory. There are several black guys that workout at my gym, they all seem to gain muscle quite easily, and are very very strong.

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gearface
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 194)
posted June 20, 2000 11:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for gearface   Click Here to Email gearface     Edit/Delete Message
I'm caucasion and I think I have pretty good genetics.

------------------
Lift until u can't...... and then some.

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TwinGATs
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 196)
posted June 20, 2000 11:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for TwinGATs   Click Here to Email TwinGATs     Edit/Delete Message
I don't believe blacks get bigger easier, but they tend to stay leaner easier....

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Latimer
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 248)
posted June 20, 2000 11:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Latimer     Edit/Delete Message
I see a lot of good points some of you have made. Here's my opinion on the matter... FUCK GENETICS. Go bust your ass in the gym. Too many people use genetics as an excuse. You got good genetics, great more power to you. You don't got good genetics, then accept the fact and bust your ass even harder. Again that's just my opinion. I'm not flaming anyone who posted or anything. This thread is quite interesting actually. I heard people of African descent have more red muscle fibers which makes them faster and have more endurance. For instance a cheetah is loaded with red muscle fibers. People of European descent have more white mucle fibers so this would in turn make them stronger and geared toward power. All this shit is cool and we're gonna find out way more as science progresses but ultimately I don't think anyone should use their race for an excuse.

Peace

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Recoome
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 14)
posted June 20, 2000 11:37 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Recoome   Click Here to Email Recoome     Edit/Delete Message
The most genetically gifted people are Northern Europeans/Scandinavians. I believe it has to do something with descending from Vikings. Samoans bulk up pretty easily too, though they have probelms with water retention.

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lorenzo
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 165)
posted June 20, 2000 11:37 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for lorenzo   Click Here to Email lorenzo     Edit/Delete Message
It's true... you never really know unless you really bust your ass and find out. When you say "I have bad genetics" you are telling yourself that being second best is ok because there is nothing you can do about it. You will not know until you train your ass off. Be the best YOU can be.... don't worry about anyone else.

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Spunky
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 79)
posted June 20, 2000 11:44 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Spunky   Click Here to Email Spunky     Edit/Delete Message
thats my philosophy.. AMEN to that!!!!!

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Curious
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 191)
posted June 20, 2000 11:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Curious     Edit/Delete Message
German...sheist!

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That which does not kill you makes you stronger.

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TheBear
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 136)
posted June 21, 2000 12:02 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for TheBear   Click Here to Email TheBear     Edit/Delete Message
ummm Nate I heard that theory too.(only the strongest blacks were picked, hence they are the strongest today) Not only is that a fallacy of arguement, it is quite racist. There were Millions of slaves in North America. While some were picked based on physiques, that was not a requisite; the color of their skin put them in slavery. Millions of African Americans were of average to very below average genetics. Your theory is just antiquated ideology my man. please research before you blaze a comment like that cuz that is so untrue. Most of these posts are pretty racist to. It is quite comparable to commenting that blacks have smaller brains, and asians are all intelligent. Old myths people!

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lorenzo
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 165)
posted June 21, 2000 12:13 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for lorenzo   Click Here to Email lorenzo     Edit/Delete Message
Why are these observations racist? Why when we discuss our observations there is a lable of racism attached? I'm white and people are generalizing here about white, blacks, asians,etc. I'm not offended. They may be generalizations and are not always true (thus the term generalization) but these are just things that we see and are discussing them here.

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lorenzo
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 165)
posted June 21, 2000 12:17 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for lorenzo   Click Here to Email lorenzo     Edit/Delete Message
One more thing. You said that Nates statement was fallacy of arguement...then you proceed to say that infact there is some truth to his statement:


>>>>(only the strongest blacks were picked, hence they are the strongest today) Not only is that a fallacy of arguement, it is quite racist. There were Millions of slaves in North America. While some were picked based on physiques, that was not a requisite<<<<

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TheBear
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 136)
posted June 21, 2000 12:19 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for TheBear   Click Here to Email TheBear     Edit/Delete Message
I call it like i see it Lorenzo. If you cannot see that the comment that Blacks are bigger because of slavery, then you are quite ignorant. It is an antiquated theory that has been proven wrong, and it is only ignorant people that speak of it these days. I have many black friends that get VERY offended when it is brought up. Im not going into the reasons it has been disproved because you can do that on your own. This is an anabolic chat. You said it yourself, that you are talking about generalizations and how it doesnt offend YOU. Well dude, many people will disagree with you. Its easy not to let generalizations get to you when you are part of the white majority bro.

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TheBear
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 136)
posted June 21, 2000 12:30 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for TheBear   Click Here to Email TheBear     Edit/Delete Message
Lorenzo that is not a fallacy! While some were picked on their physiques...it had nothing to do with modern genetics! That was my point, hence not a fallacy..You were reading too much into my statement

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TheBear
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 136)
posted June 21, 2000 12:41 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for TheBear   Click Here to Email TheBear     Edit/Delete Message
Lorenzo that is not a fallacy! While some were picked on their physiques...it had nothing to do with modern genetics! That was my point, hence not a fallacy..You were reading too much into my statement

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lorenzo
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 165)
posted June 21, 2000 12:41 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for lorenzo   Click Here to Email lorenzo     Edit/Delete Message
Well, it's true that I cannot empathise because I will never be able to veiw this from any other perspective than my own. They may be offended but it doesn't mean that we are not entitled to discuss here what we are discussing. When a (balck)person says that white people can't jump or dance, etc. I may be offended too, but I have to deal with that on my own. I do know however that there may be in a general veiw, truth to that statement. To this point the people on the thread have tried to avoid stereotypes and ingnorance. Maybe someone had false information that they posted here and you made the correction, now they know.very good. If not for this discussion that person would have continued to believe that his information was correct. So, we have made progress in race relations. Incredible how talking about things helps everyone.

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costanza
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 51)
posted June 21, 2000 01:54 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for costanza   Click Here to Email costanza     Edit/Delete Message
Regarding the strongest man competitions - in addition to the German and Nordic peoples you see the big Scots.

I have a lot of that Scottish in me from Mom's side (and unfortunately some bad genes from Dad, who is not only small but skinny - but wiry and strong).

All in all it isn't a bad combo as I am both coordinated and strong - but all in all I'd rather be black. Then I'd have these strong shoulders without this gut.

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THE STEEL BEAST
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 468)
posted June 21, 2000 02:51 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for THE STEEL BEAST   Click Here to Email THE STEEL BEAST     Edit/Delete Message
GERMAN HERE............MOM MADE IT TO THE OLYMPICS AS AN ALTERNATE FOR THE GERMAN NATIONAL TEAM.MAN WAS SHE DIESEL.....I THANK HER FOR WHAT IVE GOT

------------------
THINK YOU HOLDING WEIGHT?THEN YOU HAVENT MET THE APES!

One more road to cross
One more risk to take
Gotta live my life
like there's one more move to make.

The only difference between me and a madman is that I am not mad.

BLOOD LIKE VENOM,
FLESH LIKE STEEL.


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Recoome
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 14)
posted June 21, 2000 02:56 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Recoome   Click Here to Email Recoome     Edit/Delete Message
Well I'm black, and I sure as hell don't gain easily...

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glenbenton
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 436)
posted June 21, 2000 03:51 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for glenbenton   Click Here to Email glenbenton     Edit/Delete Message
my dad is responsible for my bad genes the fucking bastard. all skinny fucks on his side with no ability to gain quality muscle at all. so i think im gonna turn to growth hormones in a few years

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scott825
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 353)
posted June 21, 2000 08:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for scott825   Click Here to Email scott825     Edit/Delete Message
bump for us Germans!! genetic freaks!

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mightydog
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 197)
posted June 21, 2000 08:40 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mightydog   Click Here to Email mightydog     Edit/Delete Message
Wasn't there a movie called "White men can't jump?" My point is that race and sport is pretty much main stream when compairing values. Whether its a healthy subject to indulge is up for debate as I have noticed in some threads above. I was not affended by that title, and even if i was, who would give a shit.

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DoctorSavage
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 167)
posted June 21, 2000 02:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for DoctorSavage   Click Here to Email DoctorSavage     Edit/Delete Message
Lads;
Trying to censor yourself for any racist implications with a topic like this is fairly ridiculous. Take it with a grain of salt and try not to get your panties in a bunch.
As to the question of African genetics, it has been my observation during several hundred autopsies I had to help with while serving with the JAG that People of African descent are more likely to store body fat within the body cavity underneath the abdominal wall, where as most europeans store it over the muscle and on the side (oblique) area. As to distribution of strength, statistically I would say that Africans have a smaller spread than Europeans, but that spread has a higher average than their pasty faced cousins.

On the other hand there are more Europeans at both ends of the spectrum. This means that in strength sports you will see a sligtly higher number of Europeans, but on average, the African guy you meet at the gym will probably be stronger than you.

------------------
Dr. Savage, PhD. (I am not a bodybuilder, amature or otherwise)

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BigWh1tey
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 82)
posted June 21, 2000 03:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for BigWh1tey   Click Here to Email BigWh1tey     Edit/Delete Message UIN: 75900860
IM A FUCKING BIG WHITE GUY 1/2 IRISH ,
1/2 GERMAN.

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"Ive got pieces of guys like you in my stool" -- Frank Sinatra

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BigT
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 218)
posted June 21, 2000 03:49 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for BigT   Click Here to Email BigT     Edit/Delete Message
I don't like to generalize...I've seen guys who look like little asswipes bench twice their bodyweight, and I've seen guys with such incredible muscle size and cuts that you do a double-take who can't even bench their own weight....certainly all races have characteristics they are known for, but I think it is unfair to generalize. btw in response to a post before...I have seen black bros who look like a million dollars but are weak as hell, I think it is because they are naturally muscular without training so they look good, but without much training in the gym, they are not as strong as they look.

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wannagrow
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 12)
posted June 21, 2000 05:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for wannagrow     Edit/Delete Message UIN: 77974359
5'10, 170lb, 9% bf...asian..

As an asian i feel like i am screwed..but it's not true for all asian. A lot of Koreans are very big (husky built) while the chinese are usually small frame, lengthy built. And that is why i am on this site...researching i can break the genetic barrier and stereotype. what do u all think?
Later!

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