April 21, 2025
Sprung Edition
On Starting Strength
-
The Foundations of the Program –
Rip discusses the foundations that Starting Strength model is built on to develop strength – movement patterns, stress, incremental loading. -
Rows vs. Power Cleans: The Difference by Carl Raghavan –
The difference between these two lifts is like the difference between snowboarding and skiing – stick with me here. I’ve spent years training both, and this comparison reminds me of something you’ll often hear… -
Critical Elbow and Forearm Positions in the Bench Press –
Rip explains the importance of using a touch point on chest below the shoulder, as well as a grip width selected to give a vertical forearm in this position. These positions prevent shoulder impingement and allow the bench press to be trained to develop upper body strength. -
The Iron Shack by Jim Steel –
For thirty years, Frank Collquit has owned the Iron Shack gym. Nestled in a strip mall, twenty minutes south of Charlotte, North Carolina, “The Shack,” as the few hundred members call it, catered to the serious weight lifter… -
Calorie Needs for Barbell Training by Robert Santana –
Nutrition is a very important factor in training of all types. Whether you are under the barbell, running a marathon, or simply riding a bicycle to work daily, fueling the human body is an essential activity… - Weekend Archives:
Swogger’s Revenge by Matthew Swogger –
On 11 June 2004, around midnight, I fell 40 feet off a building and broke my back. Since that time, I have been through an interesting rehabilitation. The story is lengthy, but barbell training figured into my recovery… - Weekend Archives:
Coaching by Mark Rippetoe –
Why is it a good thing to get coaching from different people when it is available? I’m not suggesting that a strength trainee find a bodybuilding coach, or an Olympic weightlifting coach, or a suit-and-wraps…
In the Trenches
Get Involved
Best of the Week
Genetics and the strength athlete
strength10588
What are the factors which account for individuals who are able to exhibit very high levels of strength at low body weight? A buddy of mine is 6’4″ 200 and can do 2/3/4 plates with good form. From PP I gather it is primarily neuromuscular efficiency, fast twitch percentage, and anthropometry, that is, genetic factors exclusively?
kelticslob
Sorry, this is your example of someone with GOOD genetics? 2/3/4 @ 200lbs?
Steven Kalin
Wouldn’t his height play into it? 200 pounds at 6’4” is a skinny, skinny dude.
Jason Donaldson
It seems to me that conversation about the OP’s example is pulling the thread away from the initial point, namely the parts in bold above.
Whether we agree that strength10588’s buddy is one of them or not, we all know that there are some people who exhibit unusual degrees of strength at lower body weight than usual.
The factors listed are certainly part of it. Origin and insertion of muscles, shape of muscle bellies, etc. could also be included as genetic factors with those. Or think of a motor moron and a physical genius walking into the gym for the first time together.
Are there ONLY genetic factors, though? I don’t think so. Circumstances of growing up affect phenotypic expression, for example. Think of someone who grows up well fed vs. someone who does not. Also, consider mindset. A timid person may exhibit less strength than a bold person. Degree of familiarity with movement and moving heavy things will likely make a difference, as well. Someone who grows up sedentary will move less weight than a farm kid or a kid who plays a lot of sports, for example, even if they’re the same body weight.
Mark Rippetoe
Ed Coan set his best total at 242, and 5’6″. Maybe height/bodyweight is a factor.
kelticslob
OP specifically states “at a low body weight”
Mark Rippetoe
Right. That doesn’t happen, depending on what you mean by “very high levels of strength.”
Levin
I was wondering, what would be the age, that if you haven’t started seriously lifting by, you will never reach your ultimate potential? Maybe 25?
Jason Donaldson
The old saw comes to mind about “The best time to play a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is today.”
See also one I wrote down from Dr. Sullivan: “Just start where you start. It will be the right place.”
Credit : Source Post
