I just don't understand...

[sirskeletron]

I am 20 years old about to be 21 and my workout buddy who is also my cousin just turned 16... I weigh 175 lbs now and he is 140lbs... In benching we both started out only benching 120 pounds which was like 10 months or so ago... Now I am up to 205lbs (one rep max) but he is at 225lbs... We both workout with eachother 4 times a week hitting each muscle twice a week.. I am not complaining about the gains I have got because 85 pounds on bench in 10 months isn't too bad at all but what I don't understand is He doesn't eat at all!!! Well he eats but only like twice a day.. He probably only gets about 75 grams of protein per day atmost (less that .5g/lb.) where I on the other hand, am eating about 1 gram per pound a day.. He has only gained 10 pounds (130 to 140) in these ten months and I have gained 30 pounds (145 to 175).. He is very skinny so I am assuming the 10 pounds he did gain is pure muscle and my 30 pounds is 10 pounds muscle and 20 pounds fat, because I did get alot fatter around the stomach area (pretty jiggly)..

I just don't understand how is is increasing at all much less faster than I am and I eat eat eat eat eat....??????? And I am getting fat.. I think I am going to cut my cals big time and keep up the strength i need to lose this fat around my belly this shit is weird man I ain't ever been like this!!!

What Should I cut my cal intake to..? I'm at 3500 right now I was thinking about 2500 and protein down to .8g/lb. a day.. Keep exercise weight up though huh??

Thanks

 

[BOOEY]

Genetics, bro. It sucks, but that's life. Some people grow like weeds just by lifting and not even paying any attention to their diets. Others need to put in 100 percent in order to see results. But no need to worry, you're doing fine!

 

[tzan]

First off, don't be so concerned with other peoples sucess in the gym. Each individual reacts differently to nutrtion, exercise, rest, and aas. Just be focused on your own progress. As far as nutrtion goes. You say your weighing in at 175lbs and consuming 3500 cals. What type of cals are those?? What ratio are you using?? When I cut, I drop the cals down to about 2900(weigh 210lbs), but I keep the protein at 1.5 grams per pound. You don't want to cut those cals.....Throw up your diet on the nutrition section for some good feedback.

 

[sirskeletron]

First off, don't be so concerned with other peoples sucess in the gym. Each individual reacts differently to nutrtion, exercise, rest, and aas. Just be focused on your own progress. As far as nutrtion goes. You say your weighing in at 175lbs and consuming 3500 cals. What type of cals are those?? What ratio are you using?? When I cut, I drop the cals down to about 2900(weigh 210lbs), but I keep the protein at 1.5 grams per pound. You don't want to cut those cals.....Throw up your diet on the nutrition section for some good feedback.

Thanks for the input guys! Hey who is that chick as your avatar tzan..?

 

[tzan]

Thanks for the input guys! Hey who is that chick as your avatar tzan..?

Watch yourself pal......thats my future ex-wife Ms Trish Stratus!!

 

[sirskeletron]

Watch yourself pal......thats my future ex-wife Ms Trish Stratus!!

Haha.. Probably one of every man's dream woman..Man she's hot... I just couldn't remember her name.

 

[curgeo]

Gentics are a large part. Leverages have a lot to do with it. Most great benchers have short arms and extremly short upper arms. People all have a different makeup of muscle fibers. He might have more typeII fibers where you might have more TypeIIa. You might have the ability to put on muscle faster than he, but he might have the ability to get stronger. It's genetics plain and simple.

In order to be strong you don't have to worry so much about nutrition. Some powerlifters stay in the same weight class year after year, but get stronger. It is also a matter of learning muscle recruitment and synchronization. If I can recruit more muscle fibers at one time than another person, I should be stronger right?

Don't worry about it. You will get there, but we all progress at different rates. My training partners all have close to an 800 squat where I am not that high. I have to find my own weakness and make it a strength. Worry about how you are progressing and have fun.

 

[Santa_Claus]

Gentics are a large part. Leverages have a lot to do with it. Most great benchers have short arms and extremly short upper arms.

I bench a measly 155lbs for reps. I have very bad arms(long) for benching, do you suggest I keep on benching or should I seek out another chest exercise?

My main goal is chest mass.

 

[curgeo]

Yes I think you should continue benching. I am only 5ft5 but my wingspan is almost 5ft11. It's a good exercise for the upper body.

I saw madcow2 post this and I totally agree with him: You need to make sure you are doing squats and deadlifts. If you put on 10lbs of bodyweight when you start squatting, it won't just be in your legs it will be over your whole body. The body does not allow itself to get too far out of proportion from each limb. Have you ever seen people with big upper bodys and little legs? That is as big as their upper body will be because the body won't allow anymore growth on the upper until the lower gets bigger.

Madcow2 has a 5x5 post on this board which I think you should take a look at and read. That is one of the best ways to put on size and strength fast.