Is it possible to have super human strenght and not look like a freak ?

[idcbp]

The body will adapt to whatever circumstances you present it with, its really amazing in that way. Point is, if you have someone who trains, eats and supps with a specific goal he will adapt and be far better than average. I have seen guys who get off on looking small and lifting big, god I don't get it, but they do it. The train for power and restrict their intake and their bodies adapt and become small and strong. Some are more genetically predisposed to extreme achievement, due to length of limbs and muscle insertion points along with a bunch of other factors I'm missing. Bottomline is that if you want to be super strong and not look too jacked, you can achieve it to a degree but it will be a constant seesaw between adding strength while limiting muscle gain. Alot can be said though for repetition and muscle memory. Some powerlifters don't look particularly jacked, but they are damn strong. Seems a waste to me, but to each his own.

 

[Lowest]

I think it can be done, not easily though. There's only one guy who comes to mind that meets your criteria. I used to lift with him at Gold's. He's about 5'11", 180lbs. Not quite as tall as you, but also lighter. I'm 5'5" and I weigh about the same as this guy. He looks like he works out, but that's it. He benches 130lb dumbells for sets, squats and deads like 500+ with perfect form. Not even a belt or straps or chalk. All natural too. But, in a t-shirt you can barely tell he works out. I'd rather look a lot stronger and not be quite so actually strong if I had to choose. However, if I could LOOK freaky and BE freaky strong too, that'd be kick-ass

 

[Jenetic]

Yup...some of those powerlifters are relatively small guys for the insane amount of weights that they can handle.

There is a reason for this. The main concept applied to this scenario is the system of levers. Let's stick with the bench press as an example. Usually, people who are taller have longer arms. Since the shorter person usually has shorter arms, he or she has a greater mechanical advantage to lift the desired weight.

Another interesting comparison in one particular study was to judge by relative cross sectional muscle area. The results showed that regardless of height, individuals that have a cross sectional area of muscle relative in size to each other usually posses the same ability to lift a similar amount of weight. However, the results can be significantly different in those whom adhere to training programs with an emphasis on strength.

There are various factors, all of which are important, involved with strength. Motor unit recruitment, neuromuscular efficiency, connective tissue structure, muscle fiber type ratio and musculoskeletal leverage are just a few of the numerous factors involved with strength.

To answer Vic's question. Yes, it is possible but the training program needs to emphasize on the particular goal.

Jenetic

 

[TallB4Small]

Im 20yrs old 6'4 and only 225lbs at about 9-11% right now, most people cant believe it when im in the gym and i throw up 405. I think im more naturally strong than most people. I got a buddy who is 6'2 and about 270, he dosent even come close to me on bench, some people can just be good at bench also. My shoulders are also pretty strong, Repping 225 x 8 on millitary.

 

[tfavata]

I mean is it possible to have super human strenght ? Like benching 450 lbs for 6 reps with zero help from partner , and still be like 220 lbs ?

I mean I am 6 "1 , 213 lbs and around 12-15 % , and I althought I am far away from reaching my bodybuilding goals which are 215 lbs and 5 % , what happens when I reach it ?

Yeah , it will be tought to maintain it , I will need a somewhat clean diet to keep bodyfat levels down , tons of protein to maintain all that muscle and still train heavy for my muscles to keep their size and don't shrink .

So , ok , I was thinking after reaching that body , that goal , after looking the way I want to look , I will focus on strenght training only.

And I was here thinking , Is it possible to bench like Ronnie Coleman being HALF his size ? I know there is a genectic thing to it and it has to do with how well you use your muscle fibers , how well can you recruit them ...

So , this is an interesting point .

Have you guys ever seen a 210-220 guy (6"1 or taller benching 450 lbs or more ) ?
( and it doesn't count if you are 5"6 , 220 lbs and 5 "6 is too big already )


I am a powerlifter benching 485 at 220lb weight class. I also have very long arms which makes it good for the deadlift. As far as the bench goes you have to use a form that is relative to your stregnths. I use my lat muscles with elbows pointed inward to control the weight bringing the weight down and then I can pause it for any amount of time and use explosivness to blast the weight off my chest trying to build up alot of speed for the lockout. What helped me the most is doing incline and decline bench presses(no dumbells) every chest workout. As my incline bench increased (405 for 2 or 3) it built up my lockout portion and stregnthened my shoulders. The decline bench I would have at the highest angle I could put it at and do very heavy weight to get used to the heavier weight i would be benching in the future. To prove the validity of my training I compete in the keystone state games every year and you can see my results every year by looking up the results and records you will know its me by my screen name. Hope this helps.

 

[macrophage69alpha]

the most important factor in absolute strength (not individual lifts), aside from CNS and Fiber type/ratios is the golgi tendon reflex point- which with respect to the "heaviest" actions is actually the most important.

overcoming the golgi tendon reflex point, usually during moments of extreme stress, allows for great feats of strength (which usually tears most of the ligaments and tendons involved- which is its purpose- to protect you from that).

some people have strong tendons ligament and muscles but a low golgi reflex point, heance are not as "strong" as some with a much smaller musculature and higher golgi reflex point.

 

[donsj]

I saw Matt Lemarque (sp?) bench 705 at 220 at the WABDL last year in Monterey. He has since done more--something like 760. He looks big but not monsterous like Mendelson for example.

 

[DaveTSI]

with a good routine, good form and some help from genetics its definatly possible. also see - HALO

a friend of my fathers, also my former boss, benched 407 in comp at 185lbs. when he was 17!!! He had fantastic genetics but cmon, if a 17 year old kid can blow up 400+ im sure alot of dudes on here could rep that and more if they really wanted it and strived for it.

 

[Vectork39]

to give u an idea, im 20, weigh between 165- 170 (165 when i compete), and press 450 for 2-3. with baggy pants on you can tell i have solid hips (from wrestling) but my quads arent abnormally large, infact they look pretty normal and you really wouldnt notice. however my upper body cant really be covered up, i cant put my arms all the wa to my sides, my shoulders stick out and it looks like i have tits, which some people consider freaky

 

[TheAssholeFomerlyKnownAsDBBT]

I mean is it possible to have super human strenght ? Like benching 450 lbs for 6 reps with zero help from partner , and still be like 220 lbs ?

I mean I am 6 "1 , 213 lbs and around 12-15 % , and I althought I am far away from reaching my bodybuilding goals which are 215 lbs and 5 % , what happens when I reach it ?

Yeah , it will be tought to maintain it , I will need a somewhat clean diet to keep bodyfat levels down , tons of protein to maintain all that muscle and still train heavy for my muscles to keep their size and don't shrink .

So , ok , I was thinking after reaching that body , that goal , after looking the way I want to look , I will focus on strenght training only.

And I was here thinking , Is it possible to bench like Ronnie Coleman being HALF his size ? I know there is a genectic thing to it and it has to do with how well you use your muscle fibers , how well can you recruit them ...

So , this is an interesting point .

Have you guys ever seen a 210-220 guy (6"1 or taller benching 450 lbs or more ) ?
( and it doesn't count if you are 5"6 , 220 lbs and 5 "6 is too big already )


Victor

Absolutely, I have a friend who's about 5'10 215 all natty that throws up 500lbs easy