Why does size not always mean strength?

[Scaggs]

Yup, thats why its called bodybuilding, You can grow tissue without necessarily getting much stronger. Training for strength seems to keep you a bit smaller but strength goes way up. Its all in your training styles and genetics. In highschool i knew this little dude, maybe 150lbs tops at 16 years old, during our weight room visits in gym class he'd bench press 450 lbs 3 reps. Freaky strength for his size. not to mention he never worked out. I'm the exact opposite, i look a lot stronger than i am.

I think genetics plays a major part in that.

Scaggs

 

[JDarty6173]

He was 16 and could rep 450 at 150?? Well talk about destroying numerous state, National, And world records.. No offence to you but I find that to be well beyond believable... But God forbid I'm wrong we will definitly hear about him in the future.

 

[danish424]

I'm much weaker than I look. Been that way ever since I started. I gain muscle fairly easily but strength gains come slow. Does this mean I don't have much fast twitch fibers? If so, then how come I'm relatively large, lean and muscular? Not complaining, I see guys who don't look much anything, size and muscle shape wise, and still lift impressive weight and wouldn't want to be one of them. Then again, I will never be able to powerlift.

 

[solidj55]

Genetics, CNS adaptation, number and size of fast and or slow twitch muscle fibers, limb length, experience, type of training, leverage, diet, metabolism, etc. It just depends bro.

 

[wonderstanding]

bottom line is CNS in my opinion... a lot of this stuff is "in your head" as it were...

genetics aside, strength is teaching yourself on a neural leval to use more muscle fibers... I think the body protects itself from over exertion so that you'll have some reserve power in an emergency...

this is also why you hear of people having super-human strength in fight or flight situations... lifting cars off of people and such... the muscle fibers are there, it's just a matter of learning to utilize them.

on an interesting tangent, ever hear the term "retard strength"? it's kindof crude, but autistic and other mentally retarded people often seem have a lot more strength... something in their neural wiring I suppose... friend of mine's mother works with autistics, and it took 4 male teachers to restrain this 6th grade kid when he got pissed off.

Forrest
Forrest

 

[spatts]

I think the connection that I'm still having trouble getting people to make, is that size does not lead to strength in all cases, but strength DOES lead to size in most cases. This is why I think 5x5, WSB variations, and other similar "old school" methods that don't draw a line between size and strength, are FAR superior.

Like I said before, put any seasoned powerlifter on a cutting diet, and watch the bodybuilding world get alot more competitive.

For further evidence, please see Needsize.

 

[Hannibal]

Once you get past the different body structures and leverages which is out of your control...it comes down to the CNS I think.

Just because you have ALOT of muscle...does not mean that your body knows how to use it.....muscle recruitment is a major factor..IMO.

 

[Latamier]

Dont forget about all the morons out there that shoot up on synthol. In their case, size definately DOES NOT mean strength.

 

[Legion Kreinak2]

So, CCJ, how do you suggest one goes across CNS training mainly? The 5x5 borders that I believe, yes?

Basically, it seems like there's no reason to do anything but CNS training. So many people have muscle, but just can't utilize what they have. Wouldn't it be great to see a guy with half some other guy's muscle, but twice as much recruitment (if you can put it in such a way) and watch them fight? Oh, so fun, t'would be.

 

[scruples]

...and I'm still MUCH stronger...

wow i feel really bad for your buddy... does he happen to hold the weakest man on earth title?