Is Progress Linear or are most gains made in years 1-2?

[tonewood]

Just wondering if muscle is gained at a steady rate over time until genetic potential is reached, or are major gains made early on, and they get harder the closer one is to his potential?

I am talking about natural.

For instance, if a guy lifts hard and smart for a whole year, will he be at 70% of his potential? Or 10%?

[djflex]

Results always vary....

But very few ever reach their genetic potential imo.....

[magic15]

I would say major gains are made early on and progress is definitely not linear ever unless you hold yourself back when your a newbie to make them so... but I wouldn't worry about this stuff...just train hard and eat for your goals..that's all you can control

[SuperZar]

Definitely not linear. A bit more like the graph pictured here. Quick progress at first, then tapering off. This is assuming you know what you're doing when you start, otherwise the progress will also be slow in the beginning!

[anonymous]

assuming training perfectly in the first two years (LOL I know, right?) then you'd gain 80-90% of all you'll ever have in that time

you may get fatter and mistake that fat improved leverage for muscle , but no, no more big gains. If you were the next Phil Heath or Andy Bolton you'd know the first week in the gym.

In reality most people train and eat like idiots for the first few years so their gains take longer to come and seem more 'linear'

[ljimd]

assuming training perfectly in the first two years (LOL I know, right?) then you'd gain 80-90% of all you'll ever have in that time

agree

[tkdnj]

"assuming training perfectly in the first two years (LOL I know, right?) then you'd gain 80-90% of all you'll ever have in that time"

80-90% of all the gains you'll ever make will happen in first 2 years??? What? I totally disagree. Are you saying that if you start working out at 25 years old, you will nearly peak at 27? And the next 30 years will be basically manintenance? No way.

[SuperZar]

80-90% of all the gains you'll ever make will happen in first 2 years??? What? I totally disagree. Are you saying that if you start working out at 25 years old, you will nearly peak at 27? And the next 30 years will be basically manintenance? No way.

I tend to agree with you on this one. If you're on roids however just might be possible.

[DUG970]

I know what I want the answer to be.

It would be great if I could hit 85 percent within 2 years.

[raytayse]

"assuming training perfectly in the first two years (LOL I know, right?) then you'd gain 80-90% of all you'll ever have in that time"

80-90% of all the gains you'll ever make will happen in first 2 years??? What? I totally disagree. Are you saying that if you start working out at 25 years old, you will nearly peak at 27? And the next 30 years will be basically manintenance? No way.

I think from a strength standpoint this may be pretty true. I have met several people that went from basically nothing, to squatting 4-5 plates in 2-3 years. I am thinking that is pretty much 80% for most people.

Size wise, obviously you can keep growing those muscles (body building). But I think strength gains hit diminishing returns very fast.

[EjnarKolinkar]

assuming training perfectly in the first two years (LOL I know, right?) then you'd gain 80-90% of all you'll ever have in that time

you may get fatter and mistake that fat improved leverage for muscle , but no, no more big gains. If you were the next Phil Heath or Andy Bolton you'd know the first week in the gym.

In reality most people train and eat like idiots for the first few years so their gains take longer to come and seem more 'linear'

Agree #2

That 10-20% makes a physique no doubt though, not taking anything away from that.

[cbcanada]

For me it is linear. I been training 5 years. Went from 135 up to 208., 2 years ago i was 185

I find now i really find what works and what doesnt. Everyone is different

But i been making steady strength gains