Do you agree: Go with strength and bulk would come?

[Nelson Montana]

I kind of like the Bill Starr Volume/Recovery/Intensity approach that covers all the bases and avoids this argument entirely.

I prefer to focus on strength and a big diet as a newbie (starting strength prog) as it works.

I'm not what's going to work best as an intermediate/advanced trainee. I'm going to give the Texas Method or Bill Starr's 5x5 a shot once SS stalls and can't be restarted.

So yes I agree... go with strength (and eat) and bulk will come.
I'm not convinced that there are many homo sapiens whose fast twitch/slow twitch percentage vary so radicly that this is not mostly always true.

First of all, EVERYTHING works for a newbie.

And secondly, you're wrong if you think the ratio of type I and type II deosn't vary greatly among individuals or make much difference.

Serge and Zane didn't use much gear at all. Very high volume training. GEAR DOES NOT MAKE UP FOR GENETIC DEFICIENCIES. Whatever you can achieve naturally will simply be pushed another step with gear but the limitations will still exist.

 

[markmark]

I agree, however, you have to mix it up. Heavy weights work different muscle fibers then lighter weights.
I have found that in order to grow you need to do both. Heavy one week, light the next, or some combo along those lines.
Having said that... I definately become stronger doing heavy weights, and put on more mass.
The old saying that you need to lift big weights to get big muscles, is pretty much true.
BUT not all the time. Be sure you get in some 25, 20, 15 reps workouts too.

The Big O - OMEGA - Can best speak to this question.

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half, you are right on.^^^ I started mixing it up and feel and look a lot better.. I no longer do bulking cycles, don't like the big round muscle-fat look, like all power-lifters. I prefer the big, hard, firm look, like bodybuilders.. I don't care if anybody can lift more weight as long as I look better built with or without a shirt..

 

[dabuffguy]

half, you are right on.^^^ I started mixing it up and feel and look a lot better.. I no longer do bulking cycles, don't like the big round muscle-fat look, like all power-lifters. I prefer the big, hard, firm look, like bodybuilders.. I don't care if anybody can lift more weight as long as I look better built with or without a shirt..

I agree. Powerlifters are way strong dudes, but their body fat is usually 20%+ and they look like a big fat dude is all. A few powerlifters look good, but the guys you see on the stronman competitions are mostly way fat guys with lots of muscle underneath.

 

[SouthernLord]

I agree. Powerlifters are way strong dudes, but their body fat is usually 20%+ and they look like a big fat dude is all. A few powerlifters look good, but the guys you see on the stronman competitions are mostly way fat guys with lots of muscle underneath.

Have you ever been to a powerlifting competition? How about trained with a group of powerlifters? I guarantee you would kill to have the build of most of the 242s and under. A 275 lifter at 20% bf could diet for 10-12 weeks and absolutely destroy the light heavys in a BB competition. These guys have a certain density and muscle quality that can't be built with fluff training. No matter how much gear you are on.

As for strongman, the guys you see on TV are the super heavys. These are the "Worlds Strongest". The heavys and middleweight are all jacked beyond belief and I guarantee most sport visible abs. Ask Big BK, he is a Strongman and he don't look like a strong "fat guy" to me.

 

[SouthernLord]

As far as strength before bulk or whatever this thread is about.....The fastest way to gain as much LBM as possible is to get as strong as possible while eating at a caloric surplus. High rep fluff isolation training does not cut it. Progressively adding weight to the big basics while progressively stuffing your face is the answer. I am sure there are some gurus that will disagree with this but it is a fact.

 

[LoneTree]

half, you are right on.^^^ I started mixing it up and feel and look a lot better.. I no longer do bulking cycles, don't like the big round muscle-fat look, like all power-lifters. I prefer the big, hard, firm look, like bodybuilders.. I don't care if anybody can lift more weight as long as I look better built with or without a shirt..

I did not suggest that you HAVE TO gain strength to bulk. Some people do get bulk without gaining strength, at least in the short run.

What I said was that IF you gain strength, then ultimately (in the long run) you will get bulk. I think that would apply to most people.

 

[goku_kakarot77]

muscles adapt to stress imo, high volume training tends to strentch the muscle fascia more,

 

[LoneTree]

muscles adapt to stress imo, high volume training tends to strentch the muscle fascia more,

Muscles adapt to one weight and one type of exercise.
That is why you have to keep on increasing the weight ('progressive overload') and keep on changing the type of exercises you do.

'Pump' that results from hard workout stretches the facia.

 

[[CinnamonBuns]]

id say it depends on how advanced you are
ANY beginner who gets stronger gets bigger
perhaps not AS much for an advanced trainer (but it should still happen)
but sorry i cant comment on anyhting aas related.

 

[ceo]

I think for the most part you can see a trend in here. Southern Lord nailed it by the way.