How do you know your genetic limit

[BigBuck6]

After years of training naturally, when does the detour officially happen? I would like advice from people who have hit this wall personally or know someone who has.

[FireGuy]

If you manage hit your genetic limit you will be the first person to do it. It kills me to hear these guys in their mid to late 20's (or older) saying how they have reached their genetic limit and therefore are heading the AAS route. It's not your genetic limit, it's called a plateau. I trained 100% natural for over 20 years and into my 40's and was still adding a small amount of muscle every year.

[BigBuck6]

Well I am 25 right now and my stats are just about correct in my profile and I was told by a buddy of mine when I used to powerlift that I could get to about 275 naturally. Now, ahead of me I see bulking a bit this winter and coming in late spring about 265 at a lower bodyfat meaning I am creeping up there rather quickly. Was he referring to my bone structure or joints? Did he just want me to turn to AAS to lift more?

[FireGuy]

I wasnt really speaking about you specifically, more so about the "genetic potential" term in general. When and if someone decides to go the AAS route is up to them and many factors weigh on that decision. I just hate to hear people say it was because they reached their genetic limit.

[sleggio]

I don't know about the genetic limit per se...I think all things being equal, you should make continue to make progress as long as you train hard/eat/sleep right. However, in my case, after 10+ years of training and incredible progress, I hit a brick wall. No matter what I did, I could not improve. Finally, I had a blood test done and my natural test was woefully low (below the low for may age of 45). I am currently investigating options including aas. This was not a limitation I was expecting nor is it one that I accept.

[MACHINE5150]

what we mean by genetic potential is when you lhave lifted for a year with a good diet and good work out program and gained no weight or only 2-3 pounds and no strength.. it is different for everyone.. for me i was at 220lbs for two years.. worked out 4 times a week ate the right food and all, but my bench was stuck at 405lbs three times and my squats at 495lbs 4x10.. it was like that for about a year.. i could not get bigger or stronger, so i considered that i had hit my genetic potential.. Fireguy is correct, i could have probably put on 2-3lbs a year naturally still.. but for the commitment i was spending in the gym i felt that i would rather just go the AAS route.. so to answer your question.. by "natural potential" we mean to say "natural plateau" and it is different for everyone, but you will know when you get there.

[Far from massive]

Machine really good reply,

I used to race cars and the same damn thing applies to using nitrous sure you can add tenth of a second every season with a newer cam profile, more CNC port work etc. for 10 grand, or you can just bolt on a thousand dollar kit and pick up a second.

O-K sorry no more cornball analogies...

[Natureboy71]

Machine really good reply,

I used to race cars and the same damn thing applies to using nitrous sure you can add tenth of a second every season with a newer cam profile, more CNC port work etc. for 10 grand, or you can just bolt on a thousand dollar kit and pick up a second.

O-K sorry no more cornball analogies...

ha ha, I race cars too and the analogy is interesting. With nitrous you can't just bolt it on if it is a decent amount of boost. You need strong engine parts, the right fuel, spark plugs, timing retard, enough fuel and if you don't either it won't do much or it will destroy the engine. The same for steriods . The right base as in trained hard for years, the right food, the right training or it will do nothing or ruin your health.

Sorry to go off topic, I just have always loved the comparison.

[rockinred]

I guess everyone refers to genetic potential in a different manner. As far as a reason to juice, i can't go there.

When i refer to my genetic potential, i mean my max capabilities as a human. This can be applied to many things. It is a fact that you will only be able to lift so much, or grow so much based on who you are. In oher words, no matter how hard you lift or how hard you train, you might not ever look like Arnold or whoever. Another example can be no matter how much you train and juice for power you will never be Derek Poundstone strength.

So each of us do have limitations in what you can accomplish. The human species as a whole can generally only lift so much weight or grow so big based on your heighth etc....

So i determined my genetic potential for lifting and growth based on how the juice effected me in my later years. I continued to get stronger and better up to a point. After that when i come off the sauce my size goes back down to a certain level give or take and so do my lifts. I can only man handle so much.

Anyhow that's what i mean when using that term. If you are even questioning it you are probably nowhere near it. It takes many years of consistent gym training and time to really know your capabilities.

Good luck and happy lifting. I dont recommend you to juice, based on those things. Just live and be healthy and as strong as you can be.