How to tell if you're a hardgainer: articles and thoughts...

[Fuglydude]

I'm pretty sure I'm an ecto-mesomorph. (5'8"-170) I'm naturally pretty skinny and have a fast metabolism that makes it relatively hard to put on weight. However I think I have decent speed and explosive power output compared to your average guy: I powerclean 130% of my bodyweight, deadlift over 250% and squat close to 200% for my 1RMs.

I dont' think I'm a true "hardgainer"...as I have put on close to 50 lbs bodyweight since I started training (keep in mind I've been doing this for almost a decade) and also dropped bodyfat. I've been as heavy as 190, but my bodyfat was probably sitting in the 17% range at that weight. Gaining weight and still staying lean has always been a challenge for me.

Recently I ran into some articles while trying to figure out whether I am a true hardgainer or not. These articles take into consideration body measurements such as wrist/ankle circumference and ht/wt, etc...

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Tell-If-You-Are-Really-A-Hard-Gainer&id=706754

These articles discuss the hardgainer plateau and max muscle potential for drug-free individuals.

http://www.weightrainer.net/plateau.html
http://www.weightrainer.net/bodypred.html

Enjoy...

 

[Ripper]

I'm a hardgainer myself. Thanks, that was really interesting and helpful.

 

[mintxx]

v interesting. looks like i'm a hardgainer. who knew...

 

[yungahdubz]

Unfortunatley, all those apply to me

 

[Drum&Bass]

Hey that calculator is pretty accurate, it says my genetic potential is 183 at 7% bodyfat.

seems right to me.

The plateau article says my championship weight should be around 193 with 10% bf

 

[MrS]

Hey that calculator is pretty accurate, it says my genetic potential is 183 at 7% bodyfat.

seems right to me.

The plateau article says my championship weight should be around 193 with 10% bf

7% is nearly bodybuilder competition bodyfat level, try 10%.

 

[Drum&Bass]

right they have it at 10% but right now I am currently at 7%.