Does genetics give us different strength limits?

[Saiyan300Warior]

Been watching all these strength lifters on instagram pump out big bench numbers for many reps and I can only do 225 pound bench test for 17 reps after 3 months of training (started out doing 5 reps). I am wondering will I get this strong if I eat as much as they do to gain the same weight and train for as long as they did will I pretty much be able to lift the same. Leads me to wonder does genetics play a part in how strong you can physically get, are people like Eddie Hall who deadlift 500kg able to maintain, handle and gain strength and muscle more than other people out there given they go through the same training process? Kinda looks like it because he has huge calves, abs and muscle all over the place at a really heavy weight and makes me wonder is this through training alone or genetics plays a part also?

So for some no matter how hard they train and gain muscle mass will they always be unable to lift as much as someone who trains the same way and time but has different genetics?

[SuffolkPunch]

Short answer is yes but other factors - like hard work and consistency tend to be underestimated. Genetics is often used as an excuse by many when the problem was work ethic.

Strongerbyscience has a series about your natural genetic potential. Read that if you want the long answer.

Ultimately, you can't change your genetics so this question will not give you any practical advice.

[Sun tzu]

... I can only do 225 pound bench test for 17 reps after 3 months of training (started out doing 5 reps)...

Only? Seriously, wtf. After 6 months of training I could do 148 for 5 reps at age 30.

Genetics plays a huge role in many things in life and weight training is no exception. Under the similar conditions: of training, diet, sleep, ...one person in the same demographic can literally lift 3 times more than another.

[powerlifterer]

Yes, hugely so.

[GeneralSerpant]

Professional sports for instance is a hugely exclusive genetic circus.

[SuffolkPunch]

It's not generally helpful to look at top sportsmen - because you can't separate out the work ethic from that natural gift. Most people have no idea how hard pro sportspeople work to get where they are. The selection procedure choose BOTH the genetically superiour and the hard working.

OP, forget worlds strongest man - or even nationals. Perhaps regional competition - look at the guy who came fifth and he probably has similar genetics to you (but will still be much stronger than almost everyone here).

[GeneralSerpant]

It's not generally helpful to look at top sportsmen - because you can't separate out the work ethic from that natural gift. Most people have no idea how hard pro sportspeople work to get where they are. The selection procedure choose BOTH the genetically superiour and the hard working.

OP, forget worlds strongest man - or even nationals. Perhaps regional competition - look at the guy who came fifth and he probably has similar genetics to you (but will still be much stronger than almost everyone here).

I only brought it up because he was specifically asking about poster status individuals like on instagram. Everything you said about hard work is absolutely true -- these people just train as a job dedicatedly. All that being said, it's not hard to imagine that the differentiation in genetics and/or natural talent is plain remarkable.

[SuffolkPunch]

I guess the point I'm trying to make is just how rare great genetics are - most people are average and most of the differences you see between people are down to factors they can control.

Again, this is something that is explained in depth by the articles I mentioned above.

[BeginnerGainz]

Can anyone even define “genetics”?

[GeneralSerpant]

Can anyone even define “genetics”?

It's not hard with Google.

[BeginnerGainz]

It's not hard with Google.

As applied to lifting.

A lot of people say that calves are genetic, yet I’ve had no problem getting them to grow, for example.

[WolfRose7]

As applied to lifting.

A lot of people say that calves are genetic, yet I’ve had no problem getting them to grow, for example.

Depends on the sport.

Shorter is an advantage for powerlifting
Taller for strongman

Thick joints are advantage to both, is somewhat indicative of lean mass potential.

Then we get into the whole insertions and muscle type mess

[GeneralSerpant]

yeah see?

[air2fakie]

I don't really get the point of these kinds of posts anyway. No two people have anywhere near the exact same training, nutrition, sleep, consistency, discipline, stresses, etc. over a lifetime so genetics can't be pointed to as the sole difference between strength of 2 people anyway.

And anyone dedicated to being the biggest or strongest likely is taking something that would make any maximum genetic strength or size potential irrelevant anyway.

[iabs]

is water wet?

[TolerantLactose]

Too much stupid to unpack in the OP.

[Saiyan300Warior]

Thanks, I understand now!

Also is the 225 Bench Test a test of strength as well as stamina, I'm thinking that if you can do heaps a reps with a weight that is light to you, does that mean you will be able to lift some higher weight for decent reps or just have a higher 1 rep max than someone who can't lift 225 that much, does that mean the world record bench holder can bench 225 for many reps or not?

Thanks in advance !

[GeneralSerpant]

Thanks, I understand now!

Also is the 225 Bench Test a test of strength as well as stamina, I'm thinking that if you can do heaps a reps with a weight that is light to you, does that mean you will be able to lift some higher weight for decent reps or just have a higher 1 rep max than someone who can't lift 225 that much, does that mean the world record bench holder can bench 225 for many reps or not?

Thanks in advance !

Just depends on the web of strength you weave. Probably more of the former though.

[ECGordyn]

Thanks, I understand now!

Also is the 225 Bench Test a test of strength as well as stamina, I'm thinking that if you can do heaps a reps with a weight that is light to you, does that mean you will be able to lift some higher weight for decent reps or just have a higher 1 rep max than someone who can't lift 225 that much, does that mean the world record bench holder can bench 225 for many reps or not?

Thanks in advance !

Yes generally. But it's a night and day difference between repping weight and doing a 1rm. Repping a weight shows strength, but high reps don't exactly correlate with a high 1rm. If you want to improve one or the other, train it more than the other one.

[GeneralSerpant]

The stronger you get, your 1rm increases, but that means that it gets harder to achieve it also, particularly to untrained individuals, like he's saying.

[superman704]

Been watching all these strength lifters on instagram pump out big bench numbers for many reps and I can only do 225 pound bench test for 17 reps after 3 months of training (started out doing 5 reps). I am wondering will I get this strong if I eat as much as they do to gain the same weight and train for as long as they did will I pretty much be able to lift the same. Leads me to wonder does genetics play a part in how strong you can physically get, are people like Eddie Hall who deadlift 500kg able to maintain, handle and gain strength and muscle more than other people out there given they go through the same training process? Kinda looks like it because he has huge calves, abs and muscle all over the place at a really heavy weight and makes me wonder is this through training alone or genetics plays a part also?

So for some no matter how hard they train and gain muscle mass will they always be unable to lift as much as someone who trains the same way and time but has different genetics?

Right....

[TheResistance]

4 star thread?

[EliKoehn]

OP, I may be wrong, but I have a little bit of a hard time believing that you can pop off 17 reps of 225 in one set and you're curious about training potential because of Instagram.

[Ghawk21]

These questions are dumb for several reasons. Of course genetics matter, just like they do for literally everything from height, handsize to the hair on your head. Secondly, you can't change your genetics so why worry about it. Thirdly, almost no one will ever actually reach their genetic limit so its irrelevant for 99.9% of people anyways.

[TheShadowMan]

If you ain't born with it, you can still build it. Genetics are just the starting point.

[cmacken]

Been watching all these strength lifters on instagram pump out big bench numbers for many reps and I can only do 225 pound bench test for 17 reps after 3 months of training (started out doing 5 reps). I am wondering will I get this strong if I eat as much as they do to gain the same weight and train for as long as they did will I pretty much be able to lift the same. Leads me to wonder does genetics play a part in how strong you can physically get, are people like Eddie Hall who deadlift 500kg able to maintain, handle and gain strength and muscle more than other people out there given they go through the same training process? Kinda looks like it because he has huge calves, abs and muscle all over the place at a really heavy weight and makes me wonder is this through training alone or genetics plays a part also?

So for some no matter how hard they train and gain muscle mass will they always be unable to lift as much as someone who trains the same way and time but has different genetics?

Amazed that OP's brag thread elicited serious answers

[GeneralSerpant]

Amazed that OP's brag thread elicited serious answers

Well that's what you can expect when one takes themselves and others seriously, now, can't you?

[j1nevertogthr]

You limit yourself poosy, enhance your genetics through heavy lifting and studying so when eugenics happens your chitty offspring have a chance

[GeneralSerpant]

You limit yourself poosy, enhance your genetics through heavy lifting and studying so when eugenics happens your chitty offspring have a chance

Can you really change the genes of your offspring that way?

[j1nevertogthr]

Can you really change the genes of your offspring that way?

Yea, plus find sloot with thick, solid men in her family and reasonable intelligence