Do size and strength go together?

[genxsis]

This is a question I have to ask because I haven't really noticed any change in my size (I'm still 140lbs too) but I have made gains in how many reps I can do with a given weight on all excercises. I guess that means I've gotten stronger, but why am I not bigger or heavier?

[Minotaur]

Not necessarily related. Pyrros Dimas, Greek olympic lifter took gold at Athens 2000, but he is not a big guy. In clothes he looks rather ordinary.

http://www.pyrros.gr/

[lukamar]

Size and strength do not necessarily go together. Just because you are gaining strength you may not be gaining a noticeable amount of mass. A lot had to do with the weight, the number of reps and sets you are using.

[genxsis]

Ok. So if I wanted to add size to my strength, what should I do in addition to lifting heavy and getting my protein?

[lukamar]

Originally Posted by genxsis

Ok. So if I wanted to add size to my strength, what should I do in addition to lifting heavy and getting my protein?

You want to lift in the 10-12 range for multiple sets with a weight that will get you 10-12 but not 13,14 or 15.

[genxsis]

Originally Posted by lukamar

You want to lift in the 10-12 range for multiple sets with a weight that will get you 10-12 but not 13,14 or 15.

All right! Thank you! I guess that's the rep range I should start working with from now on. I have been just going heavy in lower reps. That's starting to get a little old now. Time for change!

[lukamar]

Originally Posted by genxsis

All right! Thank you! I guess that's the rep range I should start working with from now on. I have been just going heavy in lower reps. That's starting to get a little old now. Time for change!

Heavy and low is for strength.

[bluelens]

eating a high protein diet, getting 8 hours of sleep, doing compound movements (Squat, deadlift, bench) for 10-12 reps.

However, once you body adapts to this, you should go back to 4-6 Reps to build strength and then back to 10-12 reps every 6 weeks or so. If you are eating enough, you will grow like a weed.

[newmexico123]

Originally Posted by bluelens

eating a high protein diet, getting 8 hours of sleep, doing compound movements (Squat, deadlift, bench) for 10-12 reps.

However, once you body adapts to this, you should go back to 4-6 Reps to build strength and then back to 10-12 reps every 6 weeks or so. If you are eating enough, you will grow like a weed.

x2 eat=grow

[DanVanVliet]

Originally Posted by newmexico123

x2 eat=grow

eat lots and often both size and strength will grow. eat clean.

[backer]

The low rep heavy weight sets train your nervous system to "fire hard".You can get stronger without getting much bigger,but(good news)getting bigger,adding muscle will make you stronger too.

[muttytwist]

You can get stronger without getting bigger. I don't think you can get bigger without getting stronger though. Like new mexico said, eat to grow.

[Domkratos]

Originally Posted by backer

train your nervous system to "fire hard"

http://www.t-nation.com/readArticle....dra?id=1211472

[GunPowder]

Originally Posted by genxsis

This is a question I have to ask because I haven't really noticed any change in my size (I'm still 140lbs too) but I have made gains in how many reps I can do with a given weight on all excercises. I guess that means I've gotten stronger, but why am I not bigger or heavier?

I believe muscle density is a better indication of strength. Also, The unique combination of muscle, tendon, nerve and bone structure may give certain people an advantage over others in the area of strength. So, a smaller guy may be stronger than a bigger guy based on that criteria.

In general, however, as an individaul grows in strength, he grows in size as well.

[drjoe]

I think muscle density is related to strength. As a bodybuilder, it's important to train both for strength (4-6 rep range) and size (8-10 rep range). I am constantly fluctuating my workout routines to try to incorporate both methods. Variety is the key.

Of course, as mentioned in this thread earlier, take in alot of good clean food.

[greyhair]

Originally Posted by genxsis

This is a question I have to ask because I haven't really noticed any change in my size (I'm still 140lbs too) but I have made gains in how many reps I can do with a given weight on all excercises. I guess that means I've gotten stronger, but why am I not bigger or heavier?

Three things contribute to strength.

1. Ability to recruit muscle fibers
2. Size of muscle fibers
3. points of muscle insertion to the skeleton

New lifters gains strength quickly because they quickly learn to recruit more muscle fibers. This often leads to muscle sourness because previously unused fibers have been damaged and need repair.

However, that learning phase quickly diminishes and then most of the gains are left to point 2 and a lesser extent to point 1.

Net-net, after initial newbie phase, to get stronger you will need to get bigger. However, among lifters, you can not make an absolute comparison regarding strength on the basis of muscle size because of point 3 and because of differing lengths of muscle bellies.
Point 3 is especially interesting when talking about brute strength.
Small differences in the distance of muscle insertion from the joint make great differences in force generated given same muscle mass. Thats why you see what appears to be rather unimpressive individuals lifting rather heavy weights while much bigger men may be lifting lesser weights.

So comparing an individual to themselves Bigger==Stronger
Between individuals, many more factors need to be considered.

[greyhair]

Originally Posted by newmexico123

x2 eat=grow

True, but those of us who come from hearty peasant stock. (you know, eastern European serf material) can get pretty fat pretty easily.
Thats one of the reasons my avi is

No need to discourage anyone.