Confused

[DGuy]

How can I bench press less than a person yet still have a bigger chest?

 

[pumpthatiron]

being stronger than someone doesn't neccesarily mean that you have a bigger muscle than that person. Strength and muscle size are not directly related to each other. To get stronger your rep range needs to be from 3-5 and if your goal is to add a lot of muscle you need to do 6-10 reps.

 

[KarlW]

haha I read this thread as though you were trying to bench press a person.

 

[j rizz]

ahahaha.. i thought the same.
-yeah i can def. feel you, i have a bigger chest than everyone else i kno, and all my friends challenge me to bench competitions in the gym thinkin i can put up an insane amount, and im like nah i cant really even put up alot of weight( i bench 180-185) and they always ask me why i have a big chest then and i feel stupid.

 

[CowPimp]

Several reasons:

-The chest is only one muscle involved in the bench press. The triceps, shoulders, and lats are also very important. I think the triceps may be the most important muscle, but I digress.

-Although size and strength are interrelated to some degree, they are do not increase linearly relative to one another. He may have a higher level of neuromuscular efficiency than you.

-Biomechanics. His body may be built in such a way that he can get away with exerting less for than you at equivalent weights.

-This person may have a lower body fat percentage than you. So, his chest is smaller, but it is actually comprised of a similar amount of muscle mass.

 

[Missfit4all]

In reply 2 the topic "Confused" You know the saying...."the more U know, the more confused U get?" Keep on keepin on...

________________
need a Routine change?

 

[Newt]

Genetics? Some people are just strong and that is all there is to it. On the same note I've met a couple of guys that look really big and are not real strong. After talking to them I've found out that they have always been relively weak for their size no matter what workout they do.

 

[Duncans Donuts]

Strength and muscle size are not directly related to each other.

Insofar as the individual, if a single persons muscle gets bigger (hypertrophy) then they likewise increased their capacity to exert force. However, one could have a 46 inch chest and always do bench presses, take 6 months off of barbell bench presses and work with dumbells, get their chest to 48 inches (all other things staying the same, such as BF %) and go back to doing bench presses with a larger chest and do less weight. This is related to a number of things involving neural adaptations, including antagonist use, motor unit patterns, etc.

Once they get up to par with their motor learning understanding, though, it is obvious that "strength" and "muscle size" are related specifically...

 

[KarlW]

Insofar as the individual, if a single persons muscle gets bigger (hypertrophy) then they likewise increased their capacity to exert force. However, one could have a 46 inch chest and always do bench presses, take 6 months off of barbell bench presses and work with dumbells, get their chest to 48 inches (all other things staying the same, such as BF %) and go back to doing bench presses with a larger chest and do less weight. This is related to a number of things involving neural adaptations, including antagonist use, motor unit patterns, etc.

Once they get up to par with their motor learning understanding, though, it is obvious that "strength" and "muscle size" are related specifically...

Very good explanation