Poll: Genetics, or determination?

[katana]

Humor me.

I was the genetic flop, ( 34" chest, 10" arms, 47" waist, and no strength, 20. lb curl once, 65. lb bench once, initial pulldown 30.lb once). All at a body wieght of 185.lbs, and 37% b.f.
Everyone told me that I would never be a bodybuilder, and that I was doomed to always be fat, and weak.

Now I am 6'4". I wiegh 294. lbs, and while not awesome, these are my current stats. 50" chest, 18.5" arms, 36" waist ( offseason) 34" (cut). I can curl 135. lbs for 4. reps strict, bench around 375. lbs, and do pulldowns with 200 plus pounds.

Now those stats may not be incredible, but considering where I started from, I am proud that I am no longer weak, ( BTW, most of it came before AS, and I still have not topped 500 mg. p/week yet).

How about you guys ( and ladies)? Do you believe that genetics, or motivation/ determination, make for the bulk of your results. Hey look, I have the genetics for big hair. E

 

[Maximum Intensity]

Pure determination have lead to my gains -- my genetics suck. Balls to the wall -- that's my motto.

 

[HeavyDutyGuy]

Both, in different ways. I was tall but didn't have much muscle when I started. I was pretty week only curling 40 lbs for 10 reps when I started. I was leanish even after two years-weighing around 176 at 6'2" when Iwas 18. But, my delts started showing striations after two weeks of training, I had a biceps peak (no size) in 3 rd grade, and my thighs were 22" before I ever squatted.
Now I am leaning out at around 255 lbs and have 20" arms cold, and have squatted 615 for 4, curled 185 for 2 and done standing calf raises with 800 lbs. All that took me over 16 years of natural training.

 

[Hannibal]

Genetic limitation is a cop out...just do the work!!!

 

[Abbaddon]

I have really good genetics, but I bust my ass in the gym also. dont really have a chest measurement sorry, but 19 in arms 19 in neck bench 385 leg press 1100 for 10-12 solid and a 29" waist to make everything look bigger thighs are even doing well coming back from a torn mcl all this and about to be 30 ohhh yeah 5'10" 205 at around 9%

 

[absolute hardgainer]

It's been all hard work for me.
Wouldn't consider myself a genetic flop though.

hardgainer (hard and gaining)

 

[alptraum]

I think alot of it is determination

"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog!"

 

[Latimer]

Genetic limitation is a cop out...just do the work!!!

Damn straight!

 

[edgecrusher]

Genetics are a limiting factor....Determination is a deciding factor. Back when I was in high school, Doctors told me I would never be fast for various reasons, (flat feet, poor coordination due to an injury at birth everyone else in my family ran like a cripple .) At first they where correct in there diagnosis. As a high school freshman I was 175lbs and ran a 5.75 40yd dash. By my junior year I was 198lbs and running a 4.58. All be it this is not the same type of results Katana
had, but you can see a correlation, to the topic.

 

[Belly-Baybee]

If you have bad genetics.....you have done an incredible job, Katana! Give your self lotsa credit!

 

[b fold the truth]

I began at the following:

16 years old
152 lbs
Barely benched 95 for a bouncy single
Could NOT squat the smith machine bar for a single

24 years old
285lbs
Still a wee lad.

B True

 

[louden_swain]

determination and genetics

 

[Lee]

genetically i should be a short fat stocky bastard with a beer belly. i am actually 6'5" 217. I used to be a weak ass tub of goo, now im a semi-weak semi0tub of goo.

actually im gettin a lot stronger though. bench 185 for my workouts, havent tried my max in a long while. preacher curl 125 for my workout. legs need work but i hate workin em, so they are lacking.

 

[Nonerz]

I think your genetics determine your potential...you determine where you end up on the scale of things.

 

[Lord_Suston]

Genetics can help a person but only the mind can limit a person.

 

[needsize]

Its definietly both genetics and drive. I started at 140lbs and have been up to 240lbs at 10% bf, but it was far from easy. I consider myself the most dedicated of trainers. I havent missed a scheduled workout in over 5 years. At the age when all my buddies were out getting drunk every night, I would often choose to stay home to eat and sleep. No matter what is going on, I eat every 2 1/2 hours, always. My training is crazy intense.

But even with all of this dedication, I capped out naturally years ago, and despite trying every thing I could, I couldnt gain another pound, the only way to beat this natural plateau was to turn to steroids. So even with all the desire in the world, you get to a point where your genetics will limit you

 

[edgecrusher]

Genetics can help a person but only the mind can limit a person.

That is so true, I figured it should be mentioned again.

 

[daok]

I couldnt gain another pound, the only way to beat this natural plateau was to turn to steroids.

Do not feel obliged to answer but I always wondering how we feel when we know that we cannot continue without drug? How have you feel the first time you used steroid?


Daok

 

[Lee]

Thats an excellent way of putting it Lord Suston.

 

[needsize]

Do not feel obliged to answer but I always wondering how we feel when we know that we cannot continue without drug? How have you feel the first time you used steroid?


Daok

I knew because for the last 3 years of my training, no matter what approach I tried, I couldnt gain another pound

 

[Thaibox]

I knew because for the last 3 years of my training, no matter what approach I tried, I couldnt gain another pound

Ditto
Determination is more powerful than genetics....up to a point, then 3 years of trying to walk through a wall, you realize you are in fact human.