The Official Genetic Limitation Thread

[rjl296]

Of course there's a genetic limit, it's just wishful thinking otherwise. A genetic limit shouldnt be used as an excuse for a mental limit however.

true

 

[NWinters]

muscular maturity is what I call it. Once you stop making gains your muscles have matured.

.02

Nick

 

[collegiateLifter]

I dont think there really is a genetic limit. Progress slows down, but it never truly stops...if it does your not trying hard enough.

this in itself certainly does not mean that there is no limit.

Personally i think there is a rather abstract limit that we all approach.

 

[supersizeme]

It's nuts to think we don't have genetic limitations. Also it's ironic when a lot the people who are arguing that there are none are on steroids. If genetics limits didn't exist, I would be able to achieve a pro bodybuilder caliber physique without drugs. It's simply not going to happen. And it's not for lack of the right attitude or lack of trying hard enough, it's just not possible.

 

[guldukat]

I'm with [doesn't]Needsize, Debaser and Warpath. There are definitely genetic limitations...otherwise, why would someone like Ronnie Coleman, who fights for ever-greater deadlift poundages (etc.) routinely compete around the same bodyweight? Lack of food or test ain't the answer, that's for sure.

Why can't I be a 5'6", 340 lbs. ripped bodybuilder for that matter? God knows I bust my ass and train pretty intelligently.

Answer: Ronnie's pushing the envelope of his genetics. So, too, would I be as I approached 340 ripped (J/k...I don't even wish for that. I have enough trouble getting around 100 lbs. lighter and far from shredded. 300+ is almost scary to me.)

Where I agree with everyone is that "genetic limitations" is too often a cheesy cop-out. As much as I like most of what someone like Brooks Kubik or Stuart McRobert says, I wince every time I see the term "hard-gainer" or read where someone believes they're at their genetic limit when they don't even have 16" arms.

Generally speaking, Pragmatism Is Good (tm). Bust your tail and make the best of what you have...don't fret about limits until they're beating down your door, and fight them even then.

 

[IronLion]

maybe its opptimism or naivety but I belive that I have a lot of room left to grow, and that my genetic limit is still far off. If I were to belive for a second that I couldn't get any better I would fucking quit. Regardless of the truth I will not bitch about the problems I have or the shortcomings. I will focus on the things that I can do something about.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

Thank you for that statement Ironlion.

 

[t3c]

a have no genitic limitations

 

[longarms]

It has come to my attention that I'm genetically limited to 5' 8.75" in height. I wear size 12 shoes, and have for nearly 20 years.
I don't wish to divulge dimensions for a bodypart that hasn't seemed to get bigger over the years.

I haven't yet determined the genetic potential for size or strength gains in my case.

Looks like I'll just have to keep trying.

 

[needsize]

it ended up taking me 7 years to reach my natural limit, its not something you do in the first few years of training