Getting Muscular: How Much of a Role Does Genetics Play?

[Frank2500]

How much of a role does genetics play in terms of men who tend to get big and muscular from working out? I heard some people say that if a man has a father who is quite big in size, even if he doesn't necessarily work out, it increases the chances that if his son hits the gym regularly, he will get bigger. For instance, in my family, my Dad is really big. Tall and huge, a giant, and my mother is short. My two, older brothers, who began lifting way before me, are really huge in terms of muscular build. The only thing now is that for some reason, ever since I began lifting weights frequently, I seem to look a lot bigger than the one of my older brothers who took after my mother in height. When I was skinny, even though I still was taller than him, it didn't seem to show much at all, and his muscular mass made him seem much bigger. This time, although he is still more muscular than I am, when he wears a sweat shirt or doesn't have a tank top on, I look both taller and bigger than him when we walk side by side.



The last time I traveled to my home country in 2003, (I hadn't started lifting yet) my old man jokingly said to my Mom: "Come and see this. This man is taller than his father."

 

[A-Unit]

Re:

They are the predominant factor. HOWEVER, only the Prolifters actually challenge their genetic profile. 99.99% of people don't come close. Many times people attribute genetics to EVERYTHING, recovery, size, fat. Push your limits. Don't let genetics tell you what "might" be...go for the gusto. If you're gaining fast enough, it isn't genetics, it's the factors of recovery, nutrition, or training. Sure, you might not recover as fast a pro on roids, but that doesn't mean you can't make progress consistently. Also...I feel that people who maybe genetically gifted in that arena discover their best body b/c they grow a little faster (due to recovering faster), and therefore, they reinforce those aspects and continue to grow.

A guy who "thinks" his genetics are crap won't attempt, b/c he feels he can't keep up with the time committment he'll have to put in.

I'm taller than both my parents. Obviously genetics matters, but you'll never know what you've got until you try.

A-Unit

 

[Frank2500]

Re:

Thanks for both your feedback. I noticed personally that in my case, my biceps are so far the most notable aspect of my body. My triceps are quite huge too, but nothing compared to my biceps. And I still have my flat stomach, albeit now with a much bigger chest from working out, etc.

 

[Hydroblunt]

You know those guys who can eat chips & drink orange soda all day? Some of them have six-packs well into their 20s.

That's how much of a role genetics play.