Charger

How do you know when you've reached your genetic limit, and how many years should it take to get there.

BroadStreet

I think reaching your genetic limit is more a state of mind. From what I've read it takes anywhere from 7 to 10 years of steady training to reach that point.

TheSupremeBeing

Muscles biopsies have shown, however, that it is in fact the individual fibers that have grown in bodybuilders, not an increased fiber number. Muscles do not necessarily have a given limit, the potential size of muscle can be increased by doing certain things - such as a layoff from training.

Protein synthesis is limited by the amount of nuclei present in the muscles fiber, and more nuclei = more protein sythesis = a greater potential for muscle size.

Muscle fibers *may* be able to split into two (or more) - hyperplasia. Although this has never been shown in conditions you would want to replicate in your everyday training program, it has been proven to occur in mice and birds, and their muscles are very similar to ours. The hyperplasia was induced by very prolonged stretching of muscles (up to 30 days, with NO rest), and when overload was applied the greatest increase in muscle fiber number was produced. Hyperplasia would allow for further growth.

Yes, we all have genetic limits, but can we surpass these limits by altering our muscular physiology? Yes.

Good thing posts can be recycled



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Complex problems have simple, easy to understand, wrong answers.

Prince

I believe we all have a genetic limit to how big our muscles can grow, no matter what you do.

Scientists have located a gene that sets this limit, and when it's removed there appears to be unlimited muscle growth, but it's only been done in rats.

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Just because the majority believes it, does not make it true!

bharminder

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I believe we all have a genetic limit to how big our muscles can grow, no matter what you do..... Does this apply to strength as well?/?? I think so, but i'm not sure....Also if we removed a gene wouldnt that **** up your kids if you had offspring.

TheSupremeBeing

That gene is the myostatin gene.

Personally, I don't think there is a genetically pre-determined limit to our muscle growth.

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Complex problems have simple, easy to understand, wrong answers.

Charger

I believe it has to do with age. That was my reason for asking this question. I am 38 for example,how many more years do you think I have to increase size and strength? This is what I believe determines our genetic limits. The rate at which we grow x the years we have to grow = our limit. I hope to still be lifting when I am 60 but somewhere between now and then I will no longer be able to make gains.
I was just curious how many more years I have left and I know there is no single answer because we are all different.

Prince

As far as age is concerned, your limits will be due mostly to decreasing hormones, mainly Testosterone and Growth Hormone.

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Just because the majority believes it, does not make it true!

Mr.Xtreme

All I know is that I am going to get as big as I can.....THEN BIGGER. I want to compete in the MR.O lol really I do. Its going te be a long hard road out of hell....sorry a little song lyric right there.


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Don't ever look behind at the things you have don't. Always look forward.

Pemburu

Charger,
You have 2 years left. At 40 you find the the edge and fall off. You then quit thinking of being 20 yrs old with a car full of girls, and start thinking about being 25 with a head full of hair.
I used to lift a little back in my 20s when I was in the military. I had no routine other than go lift. It's all so scientific now. My stomach must have been sagging a little too much because my wife bought a membership to the local gym here. Anyway I began again and the strength I had 12 yrs ago came back... mostly, but I've only been back at it for 5 months so hopefully age doesn't matter that much if diet and the routine are balance properly. There's a guy there at the gym that is 6 yrs older than I and he looks like he's in great shape, with the exception of the thin gray hair. I don't think you need to worry about how much time you have left. You can eat right, lift, and get good rest and keep up with most of the youth around you. Just do it and forget about your age. Just don't look at the wrinkles. Build, and stretch that skin back out.
JC


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On the Down Hill

Prince

Are you serious? Do realize the amount of drugs you have to take to get to that level?



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Just because the majority believes it, does not make it true!

Mule

Man that was harsh! Maybe that is his idea!

Prince

What was harsh?

I'm just being realistic! To be a pro bb, first of all you have to have superior genetics, assumming that you have those, you have to be obsessed with bodybuilding. Assuming that you are, you will need massive amounts of steroids and growth hormone.

I'm not trying to stomp on his dream, if that is his dream. I just want to make sure he understands what it takes to get to that level.


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Just because the majority believes it, does not make it true!

Mule

I know what you meant. Dont get hard peter im just playing with ya!