desparity between size and strength

[blowdpanis]

just curious how many 'not so big' guys that are out there that can put up some impressive numbers.

i realized that in several years of training now (5, though only a couple/few have been worthwhile), i haven't really eaten like a bodybuilder. as a consequence, i am not very big muscularly, but i have attained a fair amount of relative strength.

examples:

i recently dipped bodyweight + 105 for 11 clean reps (full ROM).
i can do ~8 chinups with 75-85 lbs around my waist
i recently trap bar deadlifted 280 for 15 (with straps)

however, my bodyweight is like 160 and i'm probably in the 10-12% bodyfat range at 5'9". i look like i work out, but i'm no bodybuilder.

p.s. in experimenting with some doggcrapp style training the past few weeks, i have to give this man full props. i LOVE the format, i love the weighted stretches etc

 

[louden_swain]

For me:

Size = Strength

 

[bigguns15]

Unless I tell someone that I workout, most people don't know it. But at 148 lbs, I've posted competition lifts (single ply gear) of 405 squat, 235 bench, and 435 deadlift. For me, strength does not necessarily equal size. I've also seen 97 pound girls squat and deadlift over 3x bodyweight.

 

[SofaGeorge]

For me:

Size = Strength

I've got a friend who benched 595 lbs at (I think) 176 lbs bodyweight.

That's more impressive to me than a 300 lbs man benching 595 lbs.

 

[louden_swain]

I've got a friend who benched 595 lbs at (I think) 176 lbs bodyweight.

That's more impressive to me than a 300 lbs man benching 595 lbs.

Of course. . . its much more impressive.

I was saying that when my muscles grow, I get stronger.

 

[blinddeafmute]

I have seen lots of examples of strength not equalling size and vice versa. I think though that generally speaking, if you get stronger, you will get bigger.

Bigguns, I checked out your site and I do have to tell you that my first thought was, "Wow, that can't be the person putting up those numbers!" Very impressive, and you're very attractive to boot. Im not a dog, just paying you a compliment.

 

[bigguns15]

Bigguns, I checked out your site and I do have to tell you that my first thought was, "Wow, that can't be the person putting up those numbers!" Very impressive, and you're very attractive to boot. Im not a dog, just paying you a compliment.

Thank you

 

[revexrevex]

I am the same way. I get stronger but grow very, very slow. My bodyweight has only changed by about 4 lbs since last year, and not all of that is muscle. The lifts that you mentioned are not very strong, they are strong for your size though. Try to keep increasing the strength more and maybe you will gain muscle as well

 

[blowdpanis]

to rev:

i don't even know many bodybuilder types that can chin/dip as much as me my lower body sucks, hence the mediocre deads (ie weak bottom portion of posterior chain).

not that i'm superman, but it is good relative strength, i think.

the main difference is eating. the size = strength thing comes from eating hypercalorically, and they are definitively overlapping conceps. if you don't eat enough, they're not quite the same thing at all

 

[revexrevex]

How much do you squat, benchpress, military press, row or any other big lifts?