Kit Meyer
Level 4 Valued Member
So I'm a 5' 10", 190 lbs guy. I work with KBs most of the time and considered strong and fit by most people. But when I get under the barbell, I'm mediocre at best. It shouldn't be too surprising since I hardly ever touch barbells; working out at home with my bells is too convenient to pass up.
But lately, I've been deployed for the last 7 weeks, so I put myself on a TSC program, which required working with the barbell some. The deadlift was in there (obviously) but I also added some bench and a front squat.
I decided to give some 1RM of the core lifts for a try. I was pleased, but unsatisfied.
DL: 385
Bench: 235
Squat: 305
These are better numbers than I've had historically, but according to some scales, I'm still average for a 190 lbs man. The base has a "1000 lbs Club" and I see stats for other 190 lbs guys and they're way out of my league as far as the barbell goes.
This gets me wondering about the relationship between bodyweight and strength potential. Some men and women are going to be bigger, while some will be smaller. Some are made for the track, some are made for the platform. We all have different potentials and optimal states.
Using myself as an example. I'm somewhat self-conscious my weight, because my family has potential for obesity, and I fight to stay out of that. I eat hardy, but I try to limit my intake. This probably limits the gains, but I'd rather not compromise my health. I have a huge appetite, so the advice "EAT" does not give good direction; give me the liberty, I can down thousands of calories in any given sitting. On the flipside, it's obvious that the strongmen of the world don't have dainty meals. I remember Mark Rippetoe responding to a BJJ fighter asking about getting stronger and staying in his weight class, to which Mr Rippetoe responded (with a bit of snark) "I don't understand". According to him, you should get stronger and stronger, and weight is a side issue. I know he's held in high regard in the strength training community, but I was never really satisfied with his answer. So this got me wondering about bodyweight and strength potential...
Using myself as an example,
Is 190 lbs merely a "cocoon" stage for me and I should eat big, lift heavy, and damn the consequences?
Is 190 lbs bulky and I should focus on losing the weight, because maybe I'm really a 175 lbs lifter?
Or 190 is just fine and I should just get stronger within that range?
Or all of the above are valid and it really depends what the goal is?
I'm not looking for advice (ok yeah I kinda am) I'm wondering what the philosophies are out there as far as strength potential and bodyweight.
But lately, I've been deployed for the last 7 weeks, so I put myself on a TSC program, which required working with the barbell some. The deadlift was in there (obviously) but I also added some bench and a front squat.
I decided to give some 1RM of the core lifts for a try. I was pleased, but unsatisfied.
DL: 385
Bench: 235
Squat: 305
These are better numbers than I've had historically, but according to some scales, I'm still average for a 190 lbs man. The base has a "1000 lbs Club" and I see stats for other 190 lbs guys and they're way out of my league as far as the barbell goes.
This gets me wondering about the relationship between bodyweight and strength potential. Some men and women are going to be bigger, while some will be smaller. Some are made for the track, some are made for the platform. We all have different potentials and optimal states.
Using myself as an example. I'm somewhat self-conscious my weight, because my family has potential for obesity, and I fight to stay out of that. I eat hardy, but I try to limit my intake. This probably limits the gains, but I'd rather not compromise my health. I have a huge appetite, so the advice "EAT" does not give good direction; give me the liberty, I can down thousands of calories in any given sitting. On the flipside, it's obvious that the strongmen of the world don't have dainty meals. I remember Mark Rippetoe responding to a BJJ fighter asking about getting stronger and staying in his weight class, to which Mr Rippetoe responded (with a bit of snark) "I don't understand". According to him, you should get stronger and stronger, and weight is a side issue. I know he's held in high regard in the strength training community, but I was never really satisfied with his answer. So this got me wondering about bodyweight and strength potential...
Using myself as an example,
Is 190 lbs merely a "cocoon" stage for me and I should eat big, lift heavy, and damn the consequences?
Is 190 lbs bulky and I should focus on losing the weight, because maybe I'm really a 175 lbs lifter?
Or 190 is just fine and I should just get stronger within that range?
Or all of the above are valid and it really depends what the goal is?
I'm not looking for advice (ok yeah I kinda am) I'm wondering what the philosophies are out there as far as strength potential and bodyweight.