[skin-n-bones]

Hi. I don't understand what people mean when they say "don't even bother trying to gain muscles if you don't have good genetics". Can someone please help me to understand it. e.g can you not build muscles without the right genetics or is it because you can't lose fat so your muscles can't be seen? How can you tell if you don't have good genetics? If someone doesn't have good genetics can they still gain muscle? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks in advance!

[Mygeeto]

omg.. this thread is going to start a war between members the likes of which has never been seen for a long time...

[Thomas_Rivera]

I'm back from my two days in the hospital! And ready to throw my 3 cents in.

Genetics determine alot. Your height, hair color, the chance for you to contract certain diseases/conditions more easilly, your weight, body structure, the placement of muscle fiber types.

But that doesn't mean you can't gain muscle or lose fat. Some people do certain things naturally better than others. Is it any fluke that norweigiens and people of that general area ruled powerlifting for 25 years? Not at all.

Genetics might determine what you can do best, but the actual work you put in makes you get there. Even if you gain muscle moderatly slower than the next joe, that just means you need to put in a little more time.

How can anyone tell if they have good genetics? What do you consider good genetics? Being able to run faster than everyone your own weight? Or getting to bench double your own body weight? There are endless variables to what your genes control.

Even skinny guys, what if they all think they have bad genetics because they are naturally skinny? How do they know they cant get to 220 and 10 percent body fat, if they don't put quality work in?

In the end, genetics are really just your starting point, the little package you were given to work with. Its really up to you to take it to that next level or just quit. And if your gonna quit because people tell you that you don't have good genetics, then you don't have the right frame of mind.

put perfectly.

don't let the thought of bad genes hinder your motivation and drive to gain muscle and lose fat. yes it has an effect, but everyone has the ability to gain and lose.

[fmoncas]

You can always build a nice physique if you are willing to work hard. The right nutrition, training and rest are essential to achieve your goals. I read somewhere that 50% of the result you will get are genetics but the other 50 is environmental (from training, nutrition habits etc) if mother nature gave you 20% and you can fully develop the other 50% that’s equal to 70% which is pretty damm good. You probably won’t be Mr. O but you will have a turning head physique!

My2cents

[kenney]

Originally Posted by skin-n-bones

Hi. I don't understand what people mean when they say "don't even bother trying to gain muscles if you don't have good genetics". Can someone please help me to understand it. e.g can you not build muscles without the right genetics or is it because you can't lose fat so your muscles can't be seen? How can you tell if you don't have good genetics? If someone doesn't have good genetics can they still gain muscle? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks in advance!

my advice...ignore that ****.if you are planning to take on the world of bodybuilding ie planning to compete in the o or highly ranked ifbb competitions then you will need decent gentics...but to say you need good genetics to gain muscle is the bigesst load of bull**** ive heard since i watche a tv program about people claiming the holocaust was a hoax!! and thats some bull**** lol

[kenney]

Originally Posted by Mygeeto

omg.. this thread is going to start a war between members the likes of which has never been seen for a long time...

lol the good old days

[monkeybiker]

If you have average genetics you are not going to win mr olympia but you can still build an impressive physique.
"don't even bother trying to gain muscles if you don't have good genetics"
Who ever said that has loser mentality. They don't want to work hard so only do things that are easy.

[Sparky_dustin]

I'm staying out of this one, but when people tell you that you cant do something it's probably because they cant and dont want to be surpassed.

[ACEPLUMBING]

Originally Posted by Sparky_dustin

I'm staying out of this one, but when people tell you that you cant do something it's probably because they cant and dont want to be surpassed.

ditto

[EastCoast Highlander]

well theres 3 body types, endomorph, ectomorph and messomorph. endomorph people are not an athletic body type and will probably never be athletic,why? the shoulders are more narrow then the hips and they have a hard time losing weight. ectomorph(Y frame) has it a bit better but are hard gainers when it comes to muscle and they are usually slender but the shoulders are wider than the hips. messomorph are easy gainers with an X frame body type, very athletic types, the shoulders and hips almost match up thus making an X frame usually bigger jointed and can put on alot of mass. not discouraging anyone just gotta know your body type so you can train accordingly. i myself am a messomorph, my workout partner is a ectomorph, he was 150 when he started now hes 190. he started back in august hes a pretty tough mofo

[yotajay]

You can easily build a great physique even reach pro status with "bad genetics" However you will have to work alot harder then someone who naturally has 19 inch calves and 17 inch arms. You might not ever get to be Mr.Olympia but still a great physique is something that everyone can build.