Skinny guys that outlift big guys?

[solidj55]

Different styles of training, CNS adaptation, leverage, natural ability, genetics, nutrition, etc are all possbile reasons a smaller guy lifts more than a bigger guy.

 

[win_s]

I noticed this myself when I was lifting more than people a lot larger than me. It boggled my mind for a while, so i started watching the little guys who could lift really heavy. I noticed that the little strong guys were just pushing fast and hard and just trying to get the weight up; they had horrible form, and cheated tremendously.

The larger guys did their reps slowly with good form. I recently tried slowing down and not cheating at all, and all my lifts went down more than i would have liked. However, i'm going to stick it out and see if i gain muscle mass.

 

[spatts]

Here's a paste from a discussion I had with W6 on this topic:

I do have a question though. I'm seeing a trend with PLers. Is this type of training more likely to cause hyperplasia than hypertrophy? Would that cause someone to have muscles that are more "dense?" Temple and I were looking at PL/BB corssovers, and across the board, they look like they should weigh alot less than they do...very compact. Becca Swanson, at 5'9'', 220 off season and 180 on contest looked SMALLER than certain USA winners that were 180 off season and 150 contest and close to the same height. The PLers look SOLID, but don't have that (for lack of a better term) fluffy look to their muscles. Is their a logical explanation for this?

Their increased bone density probably accounts for an increased degree of body density (i.e., they are heavier than they look).

The issue of hyperplasia in humans is still questionable. Regardless, I don't see how that would affect density per se.

It may have to do with greater recruitment of Type II fibers and more contractile proteins per fiber as well as increased bone density as a function of heavy mechanical loading with PLing.

Overall, heavy lifting is essential for size and density. My guess is that the BB routine used simply didn't recruit enough Type II fibers. Too many bodybuilders piss around with relatively light weights, high reps and foo-foo movements like lunges and other isolation movements. I think you'll find that most of the big guys and girls employ power/strength sets in their off-season routines to build size.

What AAS are used may play a role as well in those that use them. My guess is that the choice of AAS differs between BBs and PLs. None-the-less, training is still the bottom line. I see chicks in the gym that I've heard are juicing but lift light and could probably achieve the same without drugs if they just lifted heavy.

Even when I train my clients we mix in heavy lower rep sets (3 - 5), pauses, lock outs and/or speed sets for general fitness routines.

Most of my female clients use heavier weight. I have one that is 7 1/2 months pregnant and flat DB presses 35 lbs for 10 - 12 reps. Most veteran females are in the range of 50 - 65 lbs DBs for 8 - 10. Never juiced in their lives, don't even take supplements.

One of my female clients (former competitive PL/BB) can flat DB press 85 x 8 and 100 x 5.

In fact, most of the women I train look lighter than they weigh, even the housewife types.

It's all how you train. Regardless of what you're goals are, a mix of training is important unless its figure, then it has to be foo-foo at the NPC level or you'll be marked down. Of course if you're pro figure, better start training like a BB.

W6

I was just remarking on this to my PL friend the other day. He's really dense - his chest is so dense, it almost feels like bone. I've never met a BB with that degree of density. Of course, he's been a competitive PL for 20+ years, but still...

Do you MAKE more bone as they compress? I mean, if you just compct existing bone, you will not get heavier, just more dense. So as the bones compress do they also calcify??

Bone density is relative to mechanical loading and yes, if more clinicians would get there heads out of their asses and start recommending serious resistance work to women and I don't mean lunges and leg raises on a ball; and women would actually start lifting weight instead of the foo foo stuff, they'd be far more functional, have less bone fractures/breaks, less overall bone loss and their age wouldn't equal their % bodyfat as they age. But old habits unlike old bones, are hard to break. You can lead them to logic, but you can't make them think.

W6

 

[JOKER47]

I care more about how they LOOK... because, that is the goal I am seeking... the added strength is just a stepping stone for me.
C-ditty

It's refreshing to see someone that is THAT clear on thier goals.

Joker

 

[gettinlarger]

It's refreshing to see someone that is THAT clear on thier goals.

Joker

I agree. I'm kinda like that too.

 

[spatts]

Speed--->Strength---->Size

Why choose?

 

[edgecrusher]

Speed--->Strength---->Size

Why choose?

I'd like to choose all three of those. Another thing to remember, is powerlifting is a more of a neural activity, which can explain why individuals at a lighter body weight can outlift a larger individual.