[Force of Green]

Originally Posted by pantera101

The only time I got one without the other,is before I learned about eating lots of food.I got stronger,but not bigger.Now that I eat lots of calories every 2-3 hrs,I get both bigger and stronger.Am I alone on this?

Yeah, I have had the same thing. Your body undergoes extensive neuro-muscular adaptation. Your body will wire a super efficient network configuration so when you execute the movement, your action potentials will tell what muscles to contract and at exactly what time and more fibers will be recruited into the movement as more of the neurotransmitter receptors in the muscle are activated.

I was 19 years old, 175 lbs @ 6' tall and I will regularly doing incline dumbell press with 125 lb dumbells for about 8-10 reps and now I don't even go near that weight. I'm 25 now, 205 lbs and I switch the routine up so often I may do 80 lb dumbells for 15-18 and leave it at that.

[pantera101]

Originally Posted by Force of Green

Yeah, I have had the same thing. Your body undergoes extensive neuro-muscular adaptation. Your body will wire a super efficient network configuration so when you execute the movement, your action potentials will tell what muscles to contract and at exactly what time and more fibers will be recruited into the movement as more of the neurotransmitter receptors in the muscle are activated.
I was 19 years old, 175 lbs @ 6' tall and I will regularly doing incline dumbell press with 125 lb dumbells for about 8-10 reps and now I don't even go near that weight. I'm 25 now, 205 lbs and I switch the routine up so often I may do 80 lb dumbells for 15-18 and leave it at that.

Well you lost me there!LOL!!!Personally,getting stronger is a means to an end to getting bigger for me.My motto is "If you want to look the same tomorrow,then do what you did today"

[Force of Green]

Originally Posted by pantera101

Well you lost me there!LOL!!!Personally,getting stronger is a means to an end to getting bigger for me.My motto is "If you want to look the same tomorrow,then do what you did today"

haha. Good motto. That's why I keep changing it up!

[Manimalia]

Originally Posted by pantera101

I've only been to one gym,but the guys there seem to have a direct link between size and strength.More size,more strength.Like I said earlier,most big guys know how to get a proper muscle mind connection,and they use it to grow.It requires using a weight thats not "too heavy."I remember in high school my coach telling me to back the weight down.I was pissed and thought he was crazy cause I was lifting it.Same principle applies to bb'ing.Just cause you can lift it for x amount of reps,doesn't mean it's not "too heavy"Smaller guys don't know this and think the only way to get results is to lift the weight that you have to do everything possile to lift x amount of times.A bb'r will use a weight that allows him to feel the muscle work.See what I mean?The BB'r could go heavier at the expense of proper form.

yup yuuuuup!

[TripDog]

I'm glad I made this thread, there is a lot of great imput, and feedback.

[pantera101]

Originally Posted by TripDog

I'm glad I made this thread, there is a lot of great imput, and feedback.

I like it!Did you get bigger or is that a better angle?No offense,but before I thought you were another skinny guy concerned with having a six pack who will never get big because of it.You're looking pretty good in that shot!(Hmmmm,people think bb's are gay because......?)

[TripDog]

Originally Posted by pantera101

I like it!Did you get bigger or is that a better angle?No offense,but before I thought you were another skinny guy concerned with having a six pack who will never get big because of it.You're looking pretty good in that shot!(Hmmmm,people think bb's are gay because......?)

LOL, same size, different angle. ...Thanks man.

[BodyWizard]

Originally Posted by AM07

But isn't strength the true sign of athletic ability, as long as you can put that strength to use?

There isn't much athleticism in bodybuilding, IMO.

OED defines 'athletic' as "physically strong, fit, and active", so no, strength is *not* the true sign of athletic ability. Bodybuilding/strength training is at least as much athletic as it is cosmetic, but ultimately, it's what you do with it that matters. Being strong doesn't make one an athlete any more than being pretty makes one an athlete; neither one will , unless you're able to DO SOMETHING with it. The extent to which one is an athlete depends heavily on the extent to which your activities and pursuits are athletic.

Put it another way: you can be strong, you can be fit, but neither (together or separately) will "make you an athlete" - get you laid OR paid: you need an activity for that. You need to use that strength and that fitness FOR SOMETHING that actually requires that you be fit and strong in order to participate and accomplish and achieve.

The entire concept of athletics comes from the ancient Greeks, and is an essential component of the Greek idea of human perfection: a healthy mind in a healthy body, which you'll often see rendered as a motto: "Mens Sana in Corpore Sano". The school WAS the gym - in Germany & Scandinavia, the equivalent of US 'high school' is *still* called 'gymnasium'. To be an athlete was to "compete to win", and while it absolutely involved physical competition and exertion (the origin of 'sport'), it also equally included intellectual and conceptual exertions and competitions. The end result was the recognition of the athletes - those who had mastered the arts of survival AND the arts of living.

A trained and capable member of society, strong and fit both mentally and physically - ready and able to GO DO SOMETHING.

(aren't you guys lucky I'm not busy this morning? )

[ManBeast]

both

MB

[JackTheRipped]

Both....I'm vain and I want to be stronger than everyone.

[CHAPS]

Both

[pyrotechnik]

I train for both. I look at the pro bodybuilders and find their physiques disgusting, and know that many of their muscles are built based on mass training and not strength. on the other hand, tons of pro powerlifters look like giant jellybeans. I think strength training should be the primary goal because it's truly practical, and aesthetics come in a close second.

[metroba]

both

[pantera101]

I'm still trying to figure out how you only train for one or the other.I know certain reps focus more on one or the other,but both size and strength come with eachother.

More muscle = stronger muscles.
More strength = bigger muscles.

I haven't seen a small powerlifter or a weak bb'r yet............I heard one guy put it this way.Strength is a side affect of bb'ing,and size is a side affect of power lifting.If powerlifters would cut they would be very physically pleasing to the eye.One did but I forget his name.He went from a barreled powerlifter to looking like he belongs on a bb'ing stage.