Genetics: What do you think?

[magic32]

Do you really need great genes to be a great and/or professional bodybuilder?

I can't tell you how many times I've heard that the above statement must have been true of someone. The reason I wholly disagree is because individuals who say this often use it as both an excuse not to work hard (and to justify their own poor physiques), and as an assumed fact to diminish the hard work of others. I'm very interested in your opinions, but first take a look at the following early and professional juxtaposed pictures. Especially note those of Kevin Levrone, and Jay Cutler. Also, as you'll no doubt be able to tell, some of the 'before' shots are taken after the guy has started cycling, but before he turned pro.

Pro bodybuilders before and after (Ronnie Coleman, Arnold, Phil Heath, Kai Greene, Jay Cutler, etc) - YouTube

[Hazard]

Cool vid

I do believe genetics play a role but maybe not in a way we mostly think about. I think these guys respond better to these compounds. Maybe they can run more with less harsh effects or they can run smaller amounts and respond better than other that run large amounts.

I don't think of genetics playing a role as in..... These guys came out of the womb with abs and striated quads.

[Necromanncer]

Generics play a role once your a Pro.

Comparisons on shape and symmetry... Etc.

I also would agree that the amount your body can handle is probably the most important genetic factor, ie how much gear you can handle without dying.

[GettingReal]

Basically what these guys said. You are looking at it wrong. In the end result genetics aren't so much them having this awesome physique naturally without any work, but comes down to what they end up with after they put in their dues. It is also why someone who is an extremely hard worker, has the mass, has the low bf, yet can't make it into the pros simply because they just weren't built for it, and some things just can't be changed. Obviously it isn't just the genes, but look at young pictures of arnold, still basically looked the same, he made improvements, but it was coded in his dna. Look at so many others, how similar a small version of themselves looks compared to their later version.

[Timm1704]

My opinion is that genetics are a massive element into success and size gain. Everyone has the potential to look great, and have very low bodyfat if they put the work in. However, I am meticulous with my training, nutrition and cycling, and have been lifting weights for 16 years. Ive barely gained 10 lbs over the last 7 years, yet I see many others gaining that every year without attention to detail and the consistency of someone like myself. Unless I had a huge injection of cash and began using all the hormone-manipulation available (and even then, no guarantees), I have come to realise that I am never going to be a 'large' human being, if I ever make it to 210lbs lean then I will be very happy. Aslong as I always improve, progress in my lifts and look better year after year ten Im doing what I set out to do. With all the gear in the world I would never even be a top ameteur bodybuilder, and thats not due to poor work ethic or lack of knowledge

[Gaspari1255]

How many people do we know that eat, sleep, breath, shit bodybuilding and live the lifestyle but will NEVER look pro card material?

Some of the guys I know with the biggest calves and forearms have never been to the gym a day in their life.....Where did they come from?

[Gaspari1255]

Cool vid

I do believe genetics play a role but maybe not in a way we mostly think about. I think these guys respond better to these compounds. Maybe they can run more with less harsh effects or they can run smaller amounts and respond better than other that run large amounts.

I don't think of genetics playing a role as in..... These guys came out of the womb with abs and striated quads.

What about our friend who lives near me, who is a complete drug addict/alcoholic, hasn't worked out in 1.5 years yet still manages to stand at 5'9" 240lbs with abs ?

[Hazard]

What about our friend who lives near me, who is a complete drug addict/alcoholic, hasn't worked out in 1.5 years yet still manages to stand at 5'9" 240lbs with abs ?

He's a fvckin waste of potential. He's seriously got it..... He manages to look good on nothing but dope. Don't know how but he's wasting his life

[Lunk1]

I think genetics is ranks right up there with diet. Some guys have the ability to pack on muscle by just looking at a weight.

[Cuz]

What about our friend who lives near me, who is a complete drug addict/alcoholic, hasn't worked out in 1.5 years yet still manages to stand at 5'9" 240lbs with abs ?

Whoa, didn't know that was possible. Think if he used gear and ate correctly!

[Rwy]

What about our friend who lives near me, who is a complete drug addict/alcoholic, hasn't worked out in 1.5 years yet still manages to stand at 5'9" 240lbs with abs ?

I have a friend like that. Eats KFC everyday and is 6'2 220 and shredded. IN my life time of fitness I have only seen two people like this in my life. Its not very often IMO that you come acorss these guys who are freaks of nature

[tdoe11]

Genetics are for sure real dude. Go ask one of the younger kids with huge traps how they got them. Guarantee 90% of them says 1/2 the work out I do for my traps and they still suck! I KILL them, heavy,light, low reps, high reps, drop sets, negatives etc. but then my shoulders and chest grow like a wildfire. And some people also respond to anabolics much better then others.

[Times Roman]

genetics plays a substantial role in anything we do.

I was a very competitive distance runner in my youth. It was a gift for me to a certain extent. I seemed to have the right lung capacity for my weight and body size, with the ideal mix of type 1 (slow twitch) muscle fiber in my legs.

There were guys with absolutely no training, that could run a helluva lot quicker than I ever could. it was their genetic gift.

But try as they might, after about 3/4 of a mile or so, these same guys would fall out by the way side, and in a 10k race, if they could even finish, I'd be miles ahead of them.

I try not to think of myself in terms of the pros. Instead, I know what my body type is, and strive for continuous improvement. If I'm better today than I was six months ago, then I've accomplished something.

I really think that's all most of us can do. After you've put the years in the gym, and adhere to proper nutrition protocols, at some point, you have to learn to be satisfied with what you have accomplished.

I believe most of us here are NOT pros. We are amateurs, which is fine. this means we have day jobs and lives outside the gym. It's cool to have lofty goals, because that prods us to be better than we are right now.

What you have to be careful with is what happens when, after years, you still fall short of your goals. How do you handle that? Do you become obsessive, and really turn up the "juice", which can have a serious impact on long term health, or do you find some kind of way not to let it get to you?

[Java Man]

Cool vid

I do believe genetics play a role but maybe not in a way we mostly think about. I think these guys respond better to these compounds. Maybe they can run more with less harsh effects or they can run smaller amounts and respond better than other that run large amounts.

I don't think of genetics playing a role as in..... These guys came out of the womb with abs and striated quads.

Lol that last part Kevin Levrone admitted that he believes there is a genetic component, his exact word 'component'... Not everything. Just an edge. I agree with you. Some people can eat whatever they want and go to the gym twice a week for an hour and look like they live there. Others (me) have to bust their butt 6 days a week to look half that good. That's probably most of us. I think the guys with phenomenal genes just don't have to work as hard at it but anyone can get big and look great. How hard one works to make it happen is where I see the genetic factor come in.

[marcus300]

Genetics play a major role in achieving a champions physique, these guys weren't born with muscle hanging off them they still had to work extremely hard in the gym and eating correctly but the guys who have superior genetics respond better and grow quicker and when you throw aas in the mix and the dedication these guys have the end result is bigger ripped physiques. Some guys just start lifting and creating overload and they suddenly spring huge amounts of muscle because their genetic make-up is better at building muscles than the next guy.

[Honkey_Kong]

I have a friend like that. Eats KFC everyday and is 6'2 220 and shredded. IN my life time of fitness I have only seen two people like this in my life. Its not very often IMO that you come acorss these guys who are freaks of nature

Man, I wouldn't want to eat that shit everyday even if I had the genetics to pull it off. When I was younger, I wouldn't get fat from that stuff, but I sure as hell would have had energy to go train, much less any muscle eating that shit non-stop.

I'm willing to bet those genetic freaks that waste their gift, still probably feel like shit from all the crap they're eating/putting in their bodies.

[AD]

Genetics is definitely crucial if we are talking about winning competition. But I just want to be a "regular" big guy. Hard work is all i need.

And lots of food.

And some gear

[tdoe11]

Genetics play a major role in achieving a champions physique, these guys weren't born with muscle hanging off them they still had to work extremely hard in the gym and eating correctly but the guys who have superior genetics respond better and grow quicker and when you throw aas in the mix and the dedication these guys have the end result is bigger ripped physiques. Some guys just start lifting and creating overload and they suddenly spring huge amounts of muscle because their genetic make-up is better at building muscles than the next guy.

Yea sir

[belva]

I saw people having great genetic, having more muscle than me without working out. And for everyone who has genetic there is someone who has more, (e.g. Arnold vs Sergio Oliva). Having genetics to me also mean to respond well to some compound.

I think that anyone who training properly and inject correctly can arrive to have a decent looking body. Obviusly genetics here make the edge.

[JAB1]

Yeah genetics certainly play a role. My best friend has always been gifted. He trains hard and has since like 14, so not taking anything away from him. BUt he has NEVER counted calories,has a few beers nightly, etc. Hits the gym, eats whatever but healthy, low carb, and is jacked and lean. Most people would have assumed major juicer prior to him ever touching it. Just the way he is built. I have to bust my ass with proper nutrition etc, to even come close, and will always lack him in some areas, like chest, his is huge. If he lived like I do he would be on a whole other level....

[< <Samson> >]

Genetics - great topic that will never end


Genetics serve a enormous amount of who we are & what we all look like.

But, this does not mean the pros would be even close to where they are without a ton of true effort.

Genetics break down into various parts. How is your natural shape? How will your body respond to AAs & other compounds? Some guys respond very well and just grow & grow fast. Some - with just a small dose sprout bitch tits. Some can handle huge amounts of different substances.

Along with this is just how your body decides to build/grow muscle. Personally now I know, for me to grow it takes sauce and a strenuous diet to make a change. While, I have friends who hardly lift & have a total half assed diet but are close to my shape.

But, never say I'm fat or out of shape because my genetics suck. No - it's cause you suck and don't make a big enough commitment to change yourself.

[Hazard]

Genetics break down into various parts. How is your natural shape? How will your body respond to AAs & other compounds? Some guys respond very well and just grow & grow fast. Some - with just a small dose sprout bitch tits. Some can handle huge amounts of different substances.

My delts are fvcking wide...... Lol! I like it because I've had a 34 waist since I was 17. My wide delts and wide back give the appearance of a smaller waist.

Now if I could make my damn chest grow to round off my look I'd be happy.

[gearbox]

Genetics play a major role in achieving a champions physique, these guys weren't born with muscle hanging off them they still had to work extremely hard in the gym and eating correctly but the guys who have superior genetics respond better and grow quicker and when you throw aas in the mix and the dedication these guys have the end result is bigger ripped physiques. Some guys just start lifting and creating overload and they suddenly spring huge amounts of muscle because their genetic make-up is better at building muscles than the next guy.

this...

and I will add most people I have come across with do the "gym" thing for maybe 2 years and then say screw it. The guys we see are not getting huge in a year or two. It takes half a decade of 100% dedication and lots of aas. Most ppl have 75% dedication and you will achieve 75% of the results.

[kelkel]

My delts are fvcking wide...... Lol! I like it because I've had a 34 waist since I was 17. My wide delts and wide back give the appearance of a smaller waist.

Now if I could make my damn chest grow to round off my look I'd be happy.

All together as a group: WAAAAAAAAHHHHH.

[Hazard]

All together as a group: WAAAAAAAAHHHHH.

Lmao!

I'm blaming genetics for my chest...... And that's final :-p

[Cuz]

^haha

[JinNtonic]

I have this ability, but with putting on fat.

[HitIt]

it's all about physiological efficiency. some people are simply more efficient at metabolism.

[Arreis]

just like athletes in track and field, football etc genetics play a huge role, why would bb'ing be any different?