hi,
im 18 years old,2m,98kg.I want to get bigger,I allready got some gains.
Ive been working out for 1,5 years.My question is: Is strengh good for me or i am losing my gains. I dont know, I am new with those strengh methods.
Does my body grow when I am training a strengh program?
Maybe you guys could help me.
The past 1,5 years I worked out in rep ranges like 8-20.
Um, what?
I have no idea what you’re trying to get at with this.
So you’ve been training, got results, and are now asking if training is going to make you grow? Didn’t the 1.5 years of “gains” tell you that training does, in fact, make you grow?
What were you doing for working out these past 1.5 years?
Strength programs are not going to make you lose your gains. What do you think a strength program is? Give an example.
strength programs are great for young athletes. I highly recommend training primarily for strength in at least your first 5 years. I train almost exclusively for strength. Size will come with that if your diet is good.
Umm i heard about 5x5 etc. I have done some “bulking” plans. I heard also about “Powerbuilding” I want to increase my mass and my strengh. Is it the right way to go like this and maybe you could give me some tips about Powerbuilding?
What I think he is asking is if he will lose any muscle mass??
I don’t know, but it’s from my experience that strength training will certainly make one stronger, but not necessarily bigger. I’m certainly not getting “bigger” but I’m the strongest I’ve ever been, using a strength template while dieting.
That’s not to say that eventually a strength program won’t add serious mass, 'cause someone who deadlifts 900 lbs is going to be gigantic. I know that some guys may look big, cause they pump their muscles, but aren’t as strong as they look, for example.
[quote]MikeMezz wrote:
What I think he is asking is if he will lose any muscle mass??
I don’t know, but it’s from my experience that strength training will certainly make one stronger, but not necessarily bigger. I’m certainly not getting “bigger” but I’m the strongest I’ve ever been, using a strength template while dieting.
That’s not to say that eventually a strength program won’t add serious mass, 'cause someone who deadlifts 900 lbs is going to be gigantic. I know that some guys may look big, cause they pump their muscles, but aren’t as strong as they look, for example. [/quote]
As a beginner, he will not lose muscle mass by getting stronger. He will be more likely to succeed in the future if he builds a solid base of strength before working specifically for size gains. I’ve done both bodybuilding routines and strength routines, and I can tell you that in my experience, the strength routines have served me better. When I get stronger, I also get bigger. I am both the biggest and strongest I’ve ever been right now.
5x5 is fine. I also recommend 5/3/1, Wendler’s template. It works, and it incorporates higher reps to go along with the low rep stuff. Most assistance work is trained primarily in the higher rep range.
I agree with flipcollar. Strength training won’t make you lose your muscle gains if you do it right. I’m following Wendler’s 5/3/1 right now and I’m getting both bigger and stronger.
[quote]MikeMezz wrote:
I’m certainly not getting “bigger” but I’m the strongest I’ve ever been, using a strength template while dieting.
[/quote]
You mentioned two variables here. Which one do you link is limiting growth, the “strength template” or the “dieting”?
The dieting, of course. I didn’t mean to suggest that strength templates don’t put on size, because I know they do. I look much more dense right now, but because of my slight caloric deficit, I’m not putting on much muscle mass. The only thing I was trying to suggest for the OP is that, no, he won’t lose muscle mass on a strength template. Depending on diet, he’ll either maintain the mass or increase it. In my attempt to be detailed in my response, I managed to create more holes!
Edit: I’ll add, however, that while I don’t think I’m getting “bigger,” those around me seem to think so. So, there’s something to that. I don’t think it’s the dieting (making me “appear” bigger because of leanness), because I’m only 200 cals below maintenance. Strength training seems to have an aesthetic effect on my body that I haven’t experienced before, and I love it.