Bodybuilding and Genetics

Building muscle and strength requires hard work and time. You have to strength train, eat right, get enough sleep, and be patient to see results. But if you’ve ever thought it’s easier for some people than others, you are right. Your particular set of genes determines, to some extent, how easy or difficult it is to build muscle and get strong. Yes, everyone can see improvements by doing all the right things, but some people are more limited. 

Bodybuilding is a lesser-known competitive sport when compared to cricket, football and Olympic sports. It is an individual sport which requires a lot of planning, hard work, execution and constantly informing oneself. One of the many things commonly heard is that bodybuilders take steroids. Anabolic steroids are used by professional bodybuilders for competing purposes and are generally prescribed. But one of the many neglected factors that are not taken into view by an outsider to the fitness industry is genetics. Genetics play a huge role in the success of a bodybuilder. Aside from working hard, eating right and programming the exercises correctly, it is necessary to have the right genetics to make it into the sport.

Some factors to take into account are as follows:

Insertions Muscle

insertions are one of the most essential components for which a professional gets judged on stage. A full muscle ‘belly’ is much more ideal and gives a bigger image than a short muscle belly. Good insertions are a must for those who wish to compete at a professional level. A higher advantage is visible in those who have bigger forearms and calves as usually they are the points of focus when posing for a full body instead of certain body parts.

Body Type

Most people mistakenly put themselves in the wrong body type group. Successful bodybuilders are usually a mix of two body types. You might need the same to win a bodybuilding show. You need the muscle mass of an endomorph and small joints of a mesomorph to create the perfect muscle proportionality and symmetry illusion on stage. 

On the other hand, if you are an ectomorph, you will have to work extra hard to add some meat to your naturally lean frame. It is not the end of the world for you if you are an ectomorph, though. Other “branches” of fitness like calisthenics, CrossFit are great fits for an ectomorph. 

The genetics of bone structure 

Something that is determined by genetics is our bone structure, no this isn’t a case for “I’m not fat I’m just big-boned” but our bones do play a role in how our physique looks.

Bone structure can have a strong influence on how much muscle you can build. Larger bone structures can support more muscle mass than smaller bone structures. Your bones are what your muscles are anchored to. Some bone structures can also make a person look more muscular than someone who actually has more muscle. Wide clavicles and narrow hips promote the “v-taper” look, which gives the illusion of being more muscular. Professional bodybuilders can thank their bones and bone structures for their competitive success, just as much as they can thank their muscles. Think about a house, if it has a tiddly little foundation, with thin pieces of wood anything you add to it is going to appear much larger. Whereas a house with steel foundations, you better develop a mansion or it’s not going to look impressive. — This is similar to our bodies, if you have a small frame then everything you add to it looks even more impactful.

Testosterone and Muscle Growth

One factor that genetics can influence is muscle size. People with larger muscles tend to have an easier time gaining muscle mass than those with smaller muscles because they have more surface area for the muscles to attach to. Additionally, people with larger muscles also tend to have higher testosterone levels. Testosterone has a lot to do with the growth of muscles, although its effects on muscle growth are not as straightforward. Testosterone does not cause muscles to grow directly. Instead, it stimulates the production of proteins in your body which are then used for building muscle mass.

Testosterone is a hormone that doesn’t just play a key role in muscle growth, but is also involved in muscle tissue development, maintenance and repair. A person’s testosterone levels also play an essential role in bone mineral density. A high testosterone level can lead to increased muscle growth and, consequently, higher bone density. Having good bone strength can help with muscle growth, mass and strength. 

If you have low testosterone levels, you may not have the same potential for bodybuilding. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t bodybuild at all. You may just need to work a little harder to achieve your goals! There are various ways to increase your testosterone levels, including hormone therapy. Talk to your doctor first if you’re considering such options, as they can help you understand the risks and benefits of each approach.

Testosterone levels can be wildly influenced by lifestyle. What you eat, how you train, live, how you sleep, and even your mindset, have the potential to cut testosterone levels in half or double them. There is also a genetic component. Your upper limit for testosterone and how much your testosterone is easily affected by negative lifestyle factors, are largely determined by genes. Normal for one man, may be twice as high as another man who has a very similar lifestyle.

Testosterone levels have a huge influence on muscle building. It is one of the main reasons why men are generally much more heavily muscled than women. If you have naturally high testosterone levels because of your genes, then you will have an easier time building muscle compared to someone with lower natural levels.

Bodybuilding with Bad Genetics

Some people are naturally gifted to build muscle quickly and painlessly. If you have this kind of genetics, you’ll likely find bodybuilding relatively easy. But not having great genetics for bodybuilding doesn’t mean it’s impossible to gain muscle mass. You may just have to work a little harder to see results!

If you’re trying to figure out if you have good genetics for bodybuilding, the best thing to do is look at your family history and see if there are any patterns. Do most of the men in your family tend to be lean and muscular? Or are they more on the overweight side? The first step to take when you want to build muscle is finding out your genetic potential. This will help you understand how much you can grow and how fast. Once you know this, the next step is working on the areas where your genetics are weaker. For example, if your metabolism is slow, try eating more calories than usual.

Many people are discouraged from bodybuilding because they think that they have bad genetics and can’t build muscle. But that doesn’t mean you should give up on your fitness goals. Here are some tips to help you train for bodybuilding with bad genetics:

• Focus on compound exercises: These exercises work the most muscles in one go, so they’re an excellent way to get the most out of your workout time. Compound exercises also increase testosterone levels, which are essential for muscle growth.
• Increase your protein intake: You need protein to build muscle, so make sure you’re getting enough each day.
• Don’t be afraid of lifting heavy weights: Lifting heavy weights is a great way to build muscle and strength quickly and efficiently.

Your genetics might act as a hurdle if your goal is to win international bodybuilding shows, but you should not use it as an excuse to never start working out or to quit the lifestyle if you are already in it. 

Though genetics may be a limiting factor, it certainly does not lead to a make or break situation. Hard work, consistent training, dieting, working on areas of weaknesses are all equally important. Though genetics does determine if one can achieve pro status in international competitions, one can train hard and leave no weak areas to win a contest. The key is to find out what works best for your body and then stick with it. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to bodybuilding, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see any immediate results. With time and patience, you can make great progress, no matter your genetics!

 

06.09.2022