Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: crt1530
Originally posted by: Special K
Originally posted by: Amused
One thing people need to accept is that not everyone is genetically able to put on signifigant muscle. I happen to be genetically gifted and able to do so naturally. But 80% or more of the male population will never be able to get as big as me.
As exrx.net points out:
"Evidence suggests that less than 20 percent of men and very few women can develop large muscles even if they wanted to, regardless what program they follow. Bodybuilders seen on TV typically, have trained for years, poses a certain degree of genetics, and most likely, have used anabolic steroids sometime in their careers."
http://www.exrx.net/WeightTraining/Toning.html
One thing people need to realize is that different body types DO exist. Not everyone can look like a fitness magazine model. And you must accept your genetics and strive to reach YOUR potential. Most people cannot get big. Many people will never be extremely lean. But you can get in the best shape for YOUR body type.
Work out to feel good. Not to fit an image. I started working out with no intention of getting big. I merely wanted to prevent going down the same road my father did and suffer from middle age onset obesity and type II diabetes. He was dead by 59. Basically his desk job and an unwillingness to exercise killed him.
At least you acknowledge that genetics play a large role. I grow tired of arguing with people on bodybuilding message boards who are clearly above average in terms of size, strength, etc., who try to preach that their success is soley the result of their hard work, and that anyone can become an IFBB pro if they only work hard enough.
Eventually these people are going to attempt something in life that they do not have a genetic advantage at and will realize the error of their view.
Some people are genetically predisposed to being fatter than others. Some people naturally accumulate muscle more readily than others.
That being said, I think that article is horsesh1t. Any article that is about "toning" gets a big red flag right off the start. Then the author pulls out the "Evidence suggests that less than 20 percent..." crap. What evidence? Where? What is the cutoff for muscles to be considered "large?" ExRx is an excellent resource, but it is not beyond reproach. Any man with normal testosterone levels can increase their muscle mass through a caloric surplus and weight training.
It's not the typical "toning" article and you would know that if you read it objectively.
There are some genetics that cannot be overcome. This is one of them.
The human body is NOT one size fits all. And seeing that simplistic mentality on this message board is depressing... especially among people who normally would have higher than average intelligence. The snake oil fitness industry WANTS everyone to think we can all look like fitness/body building magazine models if we only buy their products and work hard. They, and uneducated personal trainers have filled the public's heads with such nonsense.
There are people who work harder, smarter and have a far better diet than I do who will never get anywhere near as big as I am. And there are people who don't work as hard as I do who are able to get bigger and stronger.
The article does not say one cannot increase muscle mass. Everyone can do that. But how much they can gain is 100% genetics. The article is saying significant muscle size (like mine) is only achievable for less than 20% naturally. The rest have to take anabolic steroids to achieve the same results.
Another good article: (for women but it applies to men, as well)
http://www.acefitness.org/fitfacts/fitfacts_display.aspx?itemid=76
The truth is, not everyone responds to training in quite the same way. While testosterone plays a role in muscle development, the answer to why some men and women increase in muscle size and others don't, lies within our DNA.
We are predisposed to respond to exercise in a particular way, in large part, because of our genetics. Our genetic makeup determines what types of muscle fibers we have and where they are distributed. It determines our ratio of testosterone to estrogen and where we store body fat. And it also determines our body type.
All women fall under one of three body classifications, or are a combination of types. Mesomorphs tend to be muscular, endomorphs are more rounded and voluptuous and ectomorphs are slim or linear in shape. Mesomorphs respond to strength training by building muscle mass much faster than their ectomorphic counterparts, even though they may be following identical training regimens.
Endomorphs generally need to lose body fat in order to see a change in size or shape as a result of strength training. Ectomorphs are less likely to build muscle mass but will become stronger as a result of resistance training.
Google "muscle size" +"body type" to see more.