Does size equal functionality?

Sebass67 · Mar 28, 2002

I am fairly big..about 6"2 250 pds...
I think my size is alright but my strength is lacking especially in the bench. I am fairly lean anywhere from 14-16% meaning i ain't a fat ass. So with the size i have shouldn't i have the potential to lift more than smaller guys than me who lift more or is it genetic?

Cubanito17 · Mar 28, 2002

It depends on how long you've been training, where you started at, your training program, and I know you mentioned not a fat ass with 14-16%BF, but before you got this checked were you just eating alot of junk food and let your muscle/strength go away.

Sebass67 · Mar 28, 2002

The way things go right now. I kinda do a yoyo diet...

My reasoning is that i have to prime my body to gain weight...and so far it has worked. So i alternate cutting and bulking phases..I am on a bulking phase again right now. Hoping to hit 255 or more by the time it is done and i will. Started training 4 years ago at 265 and 2 mill % body fat. LOL

Your not answering my question...

My lifts right now are

Bench 255
Squat: 420 on top..395 on bottom w/ chains
Dead 485...damn close to 500

I am 19...

bigokie · Mar 28, 2002

Size=strength

Somewhat. I think you have to build your body to where everything balances. I have a similar problem. I am not really built to bench. I am tall, 6'6", and have very long arms. I currently weigh 270 and am working to get over 300 by the end of this year. At the rate I'm gaining right now, I should hit it by the Aug or so.

Back to your question, you are pretty big, but you have to think that Pljay is also 250 or so and he's only 5'10"(I think that's his size?) In order for your bench to rise you will have to gain more weight and thicken your chest and back. I'm guessing you have long arms and wide shoulders but a not so thick chest. This is not the best build for benching, but good for pulling and descent for squatting.

The best way to overcome this is to gain weight. Just keep going, you're still young and got a long time ahead of you.

powerlifterjay · Mar 28, 2002

Size has nothing to do with strength. Look at George, and Kenny. Thier not 400 lbs like that Clay dude. But listen sebass everyone has to pass along the same poundages you do. If benching big was that easy everyone would bench big. You have to go through the 300's and 400's etc. Just train hard and if you want it you will get it. You must train hard and litterly hate the fuckin weight. I fuckin hate weight. Its my bitch and i let the bar no that everyrime we go to battle. Its mind over matter. Train hard , eat right , and rest and grow. And don tgive up and tell yourself and make yourself believe you are way stronger then what you are. I am asshamed to tell people i am a 600 lb bencher. Cause in my mind i can truly bench way over 700. Cause i KNOW i will one day. Just gather info and train hard!

Cubanito17 · Mar 28, 2002

DAMN JAY that's deep shit. but don't you think people shit in there pants either way when you tell them you bench 600+. Shit I know when I saw ya walkin to the sports bar i'm like damn he's a big(caugh 5 10 caugh)lookin bitch. So you get respect either way even at 5 9 LMFAO.

ZZuluZ · Mar 28, 2002

Being bigger is a big advantage.

Size does equal to strength in certain respects.

-Zulu

kyle · Mar 28, 2002

this is a good explanation of what muscle fibers are made of (fiber types, etc)

this is a little bit about if size=strength

some of the musle provides strenth (contracts), some provides energy

hope this helps

brianmincher · Mar 28, 2002

Size doesn't mean anything in relation to other people. Now size may mean something in relation to yourself. I am stronger in the 220's than I was at say 190 lbs. But Dewayne Nealy can outbench me by a bunch, and I am heavier and might even have bigger arms than he does.

At the same time there are actually a few guys bigger than me whom I am stronger than they are. There are a lot of guys bigger than me, most of the people on this board are bigger than I am, and occasionally, I can find a bigger person whom I am stronger than they are.

Now this is only about moving weights in the gym. Real life functional strength, I think, probably is more closely related to size than powerlifts or olympic lifts. By functional strength, I mean like stonelifting, carry and drag, strongman type stuff. You have to be big to do a lot of that stuff well. IMHO.

B

b fold the truth · Mar 29, 2002

Sebass67: You are 19 and 6'2"...that is the main problem. I did not gain any strength on my pressing movements till I was about 22-23. I believe that it is age that is your greatest limiting factor.

Just a trend.

B True

Sebass67 · Mar 29, 2002

Hmm...interesting...thanx for all the feedback. You have went over and beyond of what i expected.

Scary to think i will have to wait till 22-23 for increases but i won't...i simply don't have the time.

Maybe iwill post a pic sometime so you can see how i am built.

Arioch · Mar 29, 2002

There are numerous other factors that help determine strength in addition to muscle pcsa. CNS development, skill, RFD, etc.

ZZuluZ · Mar 29, 2002

RFD?

-Zulu

Arioch · Mar 29, 2002

Rate of force developement. Even though fast twitch fibers produce force faster than slow twitch, some people still enervate faster than others. Witness how some people will not just lift a weight, they explode with it.

powerlifterjay · Mar 29, 2002

Sebass at 19 i was trainng good but weighed liek 190 and was benching 300's. Your body does soem major maturing in the early mid 20's. Why do you think its rare to see a pro bodybuilder in his early 20's. It rare. Look at all the great powerlifters right now. How many in the early 20's.

ed coan 36
garry frank 36
steve goggins 30?
George Habert 31
Kenny Patterson 30 ish (give or take a yr either way)
Jesse Kellum 37
Brent Mikelsell 38 i believe
Ano Turtianion 30?

Get my point? I can name a hundred the same way the same age group. Be patient young jedi! Train hard eat right , take your vitamins and say your prayers! And you will be there.

Sebass67 · Mar 30, 2002

I play university football now but i plan on getting into powerlifting down the road. I think westside principles can help a ton on strength when it comes to sports and that is why i am here for now. But all the strngth i gain now will transfer over to later so i guess i am a work in progress. Squat and dead go up like nothing....but bench..argh bench...and they test it in testing...

Need 300...but first 260...265..etc...

ZZuluZ · Mar 30, 2002

"Rate of force developement. Even though fast twitch fibers produce force faster than slow twitch, some people still enervate faster than others. Witness how some people will not just lift a weight, they explode with it.
"

Very interesting, Arioch. Is RDF a real variable, so to speak, or merely a by product of the other?

-Zulu

Arioch · Mar 30, 2002

RFD is pretty much determined by genetics. It is most often seen in the big guy who, in the words of a former coach "Had a lot more quick than any sonnabitch his size oughta have." He may not have been an English major, but he was a great coach.

Theoretically, it will improve by training the CNS, and it is also dependant on mineral balance Ca++ ion depletion limits the rate at which fibers enervate. It will be developed along with other improvements in the CNS, but not as much as some other factors.

ZZuluZ · Mar 30, 2002

"RFD is pretty much determined by genetics. It is most often seen in the big guy who, in the words of a former coach "Had a lot more quick than any sonnabitch his size oughta have." He may not have been an English major, but he was a great coach.
"

Like fat people who run really fast?

Can it be improved with speed work? With supramaximal work? Any specific techniques to maximize your potential in that respect?

Interesting.

-Zulu

Arioch · Apr 1, 2002

It should be developed using explosive lifting techniques, but the response is not all that great. In other words, it can be improved some, but not as much as many other factors.

If you continue train in an explosive manner, you should see some results.

Juice Junkie · Apr 7, 2002

In my opinion size does not equal strength. A perfect example is Jimmy Dean. All natural with some of the most impressive lifts I've ever seen much of which rival the lifts of enhanced PLr's. Not the biggest guy although naturally he's not small. But perfect form in everything equals his claim to fame. The little bit of training I've done in powerlifting with PLJ and JD I've seen that strength seems to come from experience and techinique if that makes sence. I've trained in body building for years and always had an impressive squat with very good form. But after training with these guys I've learned that just fine tuning things in your techinique can make major differences. So much so I actually went from a 500lb squat to 650 over 2 months time off gear. In that time I actually lost some size which kinda contradicts the old size = strength theory.

spatts · Apr 7, 2002

...and add to that mental strength. Some people can focus better than others. This, too, is a learned art.

ZZuluZ · Apr 7, 2002

"In that time I actually lost some size which kinda contradicts the old size = strength theory.
"

Gaining size will make you stronger.
However being stronger has no direct correlation with size as it could be due to various neural reasons.

Am I wrong in this assertion, anyone?

-Zulu

b fold the truth · Apr 7, 2002

aka-tapout · Apr 7, 2002

one has to be careful how we explain this---i always tell people to bet big you have to get strong. jimmie dean is a big dude with sneaky muscles which i mean when he flexes they show up. any one over 250 is big but he is not your body builder type big. he does not care to look or train that way but he is by far 1 of the best power lifters i've seen. he is a sleeper like the street car that looks stock but has $10,000 in the engine. but in my opinion getting stronger will get you bigger ,you would have to in your frame to support the weights,but on the other hand getting bigger wont make you stronger.ARE YOU CONFUSED YET

gettin stronger and training for strength you eat more(power lifters are always trying to make weight--hence getting bigger---jay you got stronger and went from 190 to 250) thus you get bigger.....but not all big people are power lifting strong.

so juice junkie is correct that size does not equal strength--but training for strength and power will produce size(its a good side effect) alot of pro buildy builders started out as power lifters to get their thicknessLIFT HEAVY AND UNLESS YOU HAVE A BODY THAT WILL NOT GROW YOU WILL GET BIGGER
tell me if im wrong but i've never seen a good,top power lifter that is small

aka-tapout · Apr 7, 2002

there are some 180-190 lb power lifters throwing some big weights but they are a big 180-190

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