Genetics plays a significant role in bodybuilding, often determining the level of an athlete. Genetic predisposition affects whether a person will reach heights comparable to Schwarzenegger, or remain at an amateur level. It is important to take this into account when planning training.
Knowledge of genetic features (favorable or not) helps to more effectively organize the training process and take into account strengths and weaknesses.
Differences between people are noticeable even in childhood: some are naturally strong, while others are thin and weak. Under equal training and nutrition conditions, the former will achieve greater success in bodybuilding. This is genetic predisposition - the body type and muscle structure that favor weight training.
The main genetic factors of success in bodybuilding:
- Body type (ectomorph, mesomorph, endomorph).
- Muscle attachment point (affects the length of the lever).
- Neuromuscular connection (determines the speed of learning movements).
- Muscle belly length (affects growth potential).
- Type and number of muscle fibers (fast or slow).
- The body’s response to anabolics (determines the sensitivity of receptors).
- Character (affects determination).
Research shows that genetics determines about 50-70% of athletic performance. This means that even with imperfect genetics, persistent training and proper nutrition can bring success. It is important to take into account the characteristics of the body and work on weak points.
Body Types (Somatotypes) of People
Body type (somatotype) directly affects the amount of subcutaneous fat and muscle, as well as bone strength.
To determine your somatotype, measure your wrist circumference:
- 15-17.5 cm – fragile skeleton.
- 17.5-20 cm – average skeleton.
- More than 20 cm – strong skeleton.
You can also use the ankle circumference as a guide, which is usually 5-6 cm less than the wrist circumference. Deviations from this proportion indicate different strength of the upper and lower parts of the body.
A nutrition system, training program, and recovery allow you to change your body, but for some it is easy, while for others it is difficult. According to Sheldon, there are three main body types:
- Mesomorph (muscular).
- Endomorph (fat).
- Ectomorph (thin).
Each specific body type has certain factors that must be taken into account when training and eating.
It is important to remember: failure to eat right, recover, and exercise regularly will result in a return to the original state. This is especially true for endomorphs, who need to strictly adhere to a sporty lifestyle to maintain an athletic figure.
Metabolism
Metabolism affects weight gain and weight loss. A fast metabolism makes it difficult to gain muscle mass, while a slow metabolism contributes to excess weight gain. People with a fast metabolism can eat more and not gain weight, while people with a slow metabolism quickly gain weight even from a small amount of calories.
In addition, the absorption of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals necessary for muscle growth occurs differently in different athletes.
Response to Load
Everyone’s response to training is different. For some, two bench press workouts a week are enough to grow their chest muscles, while for others, five workouts are not enough.
The result depends on the body’s recovery capabilities and level of training. It is important to distinguish between beginners and experienced athletes. Beginners’ bodies grow even on a universal program, since their growth potential is still far from the limit.
Bone Strength
At a certain stage of training, your strength results can reach their peak, which will be determined by the strength of your ligaments, cartilage, tendons, and bones, the main thing here is not to “break” and stop in time.
As the legendary Ronnie Coleman said, if you want huge muscles, then work with heavy weights, for a large number of repetitions. And as you understand, the more weight is on the barbell, and the more repetitions you can do, the bigger your muscles will be.
Muscle Insertion Point
A muscle that attaches to two different bones produces movement. The origin of a muscle is usually the same in all people, but the insertion point can vary. The insertion point is where the muscle attaches to the most mobile bone. The farther the insertion point is from the joint, the greater the muscle force an athlete can exert.
Truth: Muscle strength is determined by where it attaches to bones.
For example, one end of the biceps muscle begins near the shoulder, and the other attaches to the forearm. When the biceps contracts, the forearm is pulled toward the shoulder. People with biceps insertions located lower on the forearm are naturally stronger in bicep curls.
Athletes who are genetically predisposed to strength sports often have muscle insertions that are displaced from the joints. For example, with the same arm length and triceps size, a greater muscular effort in the French bench press will be shown by an athlete whose triceps attachment point is shifted further from the joint.
Even a small shift in muscle attachment points gives a significant advantage.
Length Abdomen Muscles
Muscles are attached to bones by tendons. The fleshy muscle tissue between the tendons is called the belly. The cross-sectional area of the belly can be increased by training, but its length cannot be changed. The length of the belly determines the potential for increasing the size of the muscle.
The longer the belly of the muscle, the greater the chance of building quality muscle mass.
People with short bellies are limited in muscle development. An example is the often lagging calf muscles.
The maximum size of the calves, determined by genetics (the length of the belly), cannot be changed. Therefore, some bodybuilders use implants or synthol to give a pronounced peak to the shins or other lagging muscle groups.
Number of Muscle Fibers
The number and type of muscle fibers determine genetic predisposition to different sports.
People with a predominance of white (fast) muscle fibers find it easier to build muscle mass. A predominance of red (slow) muscle fibers gives an advantage in endurance. The ratio of red to white muscle fibers is determined genetically.
Mesomorphs usually have a large number of white fibers, which are responsible for hypertrophy and strength. An ectomorph with 1-2 years of training experience may look the same as a mesomorph beginner. Regular training of a mesomorph will quickly reveal his genetic superiority.
An interesting fact about body’s response to steroids (pharmacology): Steroids affect people differently, that’s a fact. For example, some athletes only need a small dose of the same methane to feel the effect of taking this anabolic, while for others even a large dose will do nothing. It all depends on the presence of free receptors in muscle cells that could bind to the steroid molecule in a steroid-receptor complex. So it turns out that some have more free receptors in their muscles, some have fewer, some bodies respond better to steroids, some worse.
A Person’s Character
Character determines success in bodybuilding. The ability to tolerate pain and burning in the muscles, to work on yourself and your diet every day distinguishes a champion from those who will never achieve success.
Persistence, focus on results and even fanaticism can change the body beyond recognition and surpass genetically gifted athletes.
In conclusion, we note that genetics are an important factor in success in bodybuilding, but without proper training, nutrition, recovery, perseverance and faith in success, it loses its meaning. Many gifted people do not realize their potential, while people with weak genetics achieve great results thanks to dedication.
Be persistent and patient, and your efforts will be rewarded.
Conclusion and Advice
It is important to understand: no diets, training and recovery will make you a champion with mediocre genetics. You can change your body, but there is no point in talking about a professional level.
There is an opinion among athletes that a tough approach to training and steroids will make them a champion. This is a myth. Do not ruin your health with anabolics - they will not turn you into a professional bodybuilder if your genetics are unfavorable.
Unique athletes with champion genetics, such as Lee Haney, Dorian Yates, Arnold Schwarzenegger, make up only 1% of the population. At the Mr. Olympia competition, gifted bodybuilders can only be seen among the first 10-15 places - these are the top bodybuilders from all over the planet.
Thank you for reading, dear readers! We hope you have been enjoyed while reading this article. You can buy anabolic drugs for sports, for drying, for mass and strength on the AnabolShop.org website! Look for them in convenient categories!
Good anabolism to all!