Too short? Too Tall?

[Columbus]

Guys - would you agree that there is a "perfect" size meaning height that judges look for.....I mean sure you have a few guys squeez by who are under 5'6 and a few over 6'1, but for the most part, the ideal size is around 5'8-5'11...why is that? I always got dung for being too tall to advance...I did well in locals, but to get farther I'd need about 50lbs...

[sphincter]

speaking from a reference point of absolutely no competition experience at all, I would say they would have to be looking for proportionate size/definition/development of your body in relation to your hieght.

5,6" and 120lbs is light... as is 6'2" 185lbs IMO. I would say that if your size/,ass/development is as good or better (when compared as a ratio) to those of smaller stature, you should be in the running to advance.

I doubt this helped any but it's the only way it makes sense to me...

[Columbus]

speaking from a reference point of absolutely no competition experience at all, I would say they would have to be looking for proportionate size/definition/development of your body in relation to your hieght.

5,6" and 120lbs is light... as is 6'2" 185lbs IMO. I would say that if your size/,ass/development is as good or better (when compared as a ratio) to those of smaller stature, you should be in the running to advance.

I doubt this helped any but it's the only way it makes sense to me...

Didnt really help but thanks...I know I need a lot more mass, but is it just as hard for someone very short?

[meathead320]

It depends on what look the judges are going for. Long post waring.

The uber-thick look, guys around 250 contest weight under 5'11", that seems to have been very popular until recently, is really not a good idea for a taller guy, as he has to be much heavier than that, to get a similar look.

BMI is not a good way to judge weight vs. height, as the math is flawed. The PI (ponderal index) is a better way to tell what is comparable for different heights.

For example, 250 at 5’10”, is the same as 346 at 6’6”. We have seen guys 5’10” and 250 pounds on stage, however there never has been a guy who is 346 at 6’6” on stage, and there is a physical limitation that causes this.

The heart has to work harder, both the taller, and heavier you are. Blood has to be pushed through all that beef. Noah Steere, who was as heavy as 347 pounds, in 2004, and at the time was lean enough to have stepped on stage at 325+, but was very uncomfortable with that weight. It was physically painful to be that heavy. Even though his silhouette would have looked similar in shape to a guy who was 250 at 5’10”.

So, in terms of possible, yes taller guys can get just as thick, but they have to be much heavier for it, and there is a limitation for how much a human, of any height, can be heavy muscle wise, until the health is put at serious risk.

However, taller guys can have very impressive builds. Someone who is 6’6” could for example be build like 5’10” 220 pound guy, at 300 pounds, which is realistic example, without keeling over dead at that height. However it is still going to be harder for him to maintain the same silhouette of 300 pounds than it is for the 5’10” guy to maintain 220.

This is partly due to the fact that taller, say 10% taller, does not mean every thing is 10% larger in every direction. The femur bone may be 10% longer, but only 5% thicker around. Therefor is will not sustain a quadriceps muscle more than 5% thicker around even though it is 10% longer, thus giving the visual effect of a quad that is less thick on a bodybuilding stage.

Someone at 5’8” will look like his legs are massive with a 32” quad. If the guy is 6’8” however with a 34” quad, people will say his legs suck, even if both guys can squat the same weight, and the legs are actually larger in circumference on the 6’8”, because visually (all that matter in bodybuilding) the legs look less thick compared to the rest of him.

[Columbus]

It depends on what look the judges are going for. Long post waring.

The uber-thick look, guys around 250 contest weight under 5'11", that seems to have been very popular until recently, is really not a good idea for a taller guy, as he has to be much heavier than that, to get a similar look.

BMI is not a good way to judge weight vs. height, as the math is flawed. The PI (ponderal index) is a better way to tell what is comparable for different heights.

For example, 250 at 5’10”, is the same as 346 at 6’6”. We have seen guys 5’10” and 250 pounds on stage, however there never has been a guy who is 346 at 6’6” on stage, and there is a physical limitation that causes this.

The heart has to work harder, both the taller, and heavier you are. Blood has to be pushed through all that beef. Noah Steere, who was as heavy as 347 pounds, in 2004, and at the time was lean enough to have stepped on stage at 325+, but was very uncomfortable with that weight. It was physically painful to be that heavy. Even though his silhouette would have looked similar in shape to a guy who was 250 at 5’10”.

So, in terms of possible, yes taller guys can get just as thick, but they have to be much heavier for it, and there is a limitation for how much a human, of any height, can be heavy muscle wise, until the health is put at serious risk.

However, taller guys can have very impressive builds. Someone who is 6’6” could for example be build like 5’10” 220 pound guy, at 300 pounds, which is realistic example, without keeling over dead at that height. However it is still going to be harder for him to maintain the same silhouette of 300 pounds than it is for the 5’10” guy to maintain 220.

This is partly due to the fact that taller, say 10% taller, does not mean every thing is 10% larger in every direction. The femur bone may be 10% longer, but only 5% thicker around. Therefor is will not sustain a quadriceps muscle more than 5% thicker around even though it is 10% longer, thus giving the visual effect of a quad that is less thick on a bodybuilding stage.

Someone at 5’8” will look like his legs are massive with a 32” quad. If the guy is 6’8” however with a 34” quad, people will say his legs suck, even if both guys can squat the same weight, and the legs are actually larger in circumference on the 6’8”, because visually (all that matter in bodybuilding) the legs look less thick compared to the rest of him.

awesome! Now how about the reverse is someone 5'4 in trouble?

[meathead320]

awesome! Now how about the reverse is someone 5'4 in trouble?

If they are only 5'4", then the amount of weight required to look "thick" will be rather minimal. The PI of a guy who is 250 at 5’10”, reduced to 5’4”, would be only 191 pounds. However, it is easier to be 191 than 250, regardless of height. SO in terms of getting that uber-thick look, the shorter guys has an advantage.

The smaller stature of a shorter bodybuilder, compared to the other guys on stage, in the 5’8”-5’11” range, is what will hurt them more.

Even though being thick is not the issue, being a head shorter than the guy next to you is.

This is why bodybuilding is dominated by the 5’8”-5’11” heights.

I am an advocate of bringing back the height classes for just such a reason, as I feel comparing the physiques of guys of similar height gives a much better comparison of overall package than does comparing guys of similar weight, even if there is a 12" difference.

The classes could be: >5’, 5’1”-5’5”, 5’6”- 5’11”, 6’0”-6’5”, and 6’6”+

Or described as: dwarf, manlet, medium, tall, giant

Here is a photo of Art Atwood 5’11” 245 pounds and Noah Steere 6’6”+ 283 pounds, from the 2001 NPC Nationals. Art came in 1st, and Noah 5th. BTW.

[meathead320]

Will a mod please move this to a training section, or the lounge?

It is not directly AAS related.

[admirals56]

lee priest

[Columbus]

lee priest

that was my example....however his mouth landed him in more trouble than his size....

I'm talking on the NPC level....we'll talk pro status later......I think the leniency is different before pro....

[Columbus]

so im ok at 6'2....wat would my weight need to be before cutting then at contest time....NPP show

[legobricks]

Its a lot harder to gain 20lbs of muscle then lose 60lbs of BF IMO. Also, the middle pictures or after he is looking a lot better. Remember there is no flaming on this board for everyone to know, its a great way to get suspended. Also to columbus, you are about the same size as my buddy back home. He was super ripped but only like 182 at 6'2" and boasted around like he was "the shit" kinda irritated me and im 10lbs heavier then him at 5' 7.5" But regardless its hard to put on that muscle fast, going to take a while with the right diet. Some people like to bulk up a lot and then cut. I bulked to 194 and cut back 2lbs and now climbing back up. Dropped a bit of BF% not adding more muscle. Keep up the good work columbus and soulstealer. Im also trying myself to get into an ameture show to start (been too much of a chicken and want to really get big first) this thread has def. helped me out as in terms of height/weight!

[soulstealer]

Its a lot harder to gain 20lbs of muscle then lose 60lbs of BF IMO. Also, the middle pictures or after he is looking a lot better. Remember there is no flaming on this board for everyone to know, its a great way to get suspended. Also to columbus, you are about the same size as my buddy back home. He was super ripped but only like 182 at 6'2" and boasted around like he was "the shit" kinda irritated me and im 10lbs heavier then him at 5' 7.5" But regardless its hard to put on that muscle fast, going to take a while with the right diet. Some people like to bulk up a lot and then cut. I bulked to 194 and cut back 2lbs and now climbing back up. Dropped a bit of BF% not adding more muscle. Keep up the good work columbus and soulstealer. Im also trying myself to get into an ameture show to start (been too much of a chicken and want to really get big first) this thread has def. helped me out as in terms of height/weight!

Hey thats awesome bro.... Same thing here man.... I would love to compete but I'm chicken as hell to commit... maybe next year....

[soulstealer]

Its my firm belief that you have to put on "some bodyfat" to put on optimum muscle mass doesnt have to be alot of fat but some...

[legobricks]

I prefer Lee Priests method of bulking (eat as much as you can and everything). Hahahah that dude got fat as hell then lost it for comp!

[soulstealer]

I prefer Lee Priests method of bulking (eat as much as you can and everything). Hahahah that dude got fat as hell then lost it for comp!

ya dude theres a video where he takes his shirt off at like 20%+ BF for the cameras and hits like 2 poses... and rubs his belly and goes "Its time for more Icecream"... dudes funny as hell

[meathead320]

I could just see people in the offseason, that do not know who he is, think he is a regular fat guy.

[Mbuffguy]

all i got to say is im 6'2 and so is arnold so im happy

[Ajc330]

arnolds teen pictures in his encyclopedia were amazing, he was huge at 16 years old! i hope you are on that track if you are looking to be as great as him =)

[Devildogjoe]

bean pole lol

[Devildogjoe]

im 5'9 214

[BTM0085]

what is this ponderal index stuff? and what factors account for such a difference in weights for the different heights? as apposed to say dividing pounds by inches, which only accounts for about 3 pounds per inch on a big man.