[quote]ungs9 wrote:
Using someone with some of the most elite genetics on the face of the earth as an example generally doesn’t work. Virtually no one can do what he does.
How do you know what his genetics are like? When you look at Arnold(The Greatest Bodybuilder of All-Time) you would think that he had elite genetics, but that is widely accepted as not true. Arnold has reported time and again that he was a very hard gainer, especially in his legs and calves.
My point is you don’t know what someone’s genetics are like. If he was squatting 600 pounds in his first week of lifting then I would agree he has elite genetics, but he probably started just like everyone else and worked hard to get where he is at. The point is it has been proven that heavy weights and low reps can build muscle just the same as bodybuilder sets of 10-15 reps.
Look at Ronnie, Johnnie Jackson, Branch Warren, and Mariusz. If an individual can handle weight in the 2-6 rep range they should be lifting in that range for most of the time IMO.
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You seem to be confusing the speed at which they progress to their genetic potential. By your line of argument it would seem that EVERYBODY has the chance to become like Mariuz, JJ, Branch, Ronnie etc if they put enough work in. This is simply not the case.
Why not? Because they don’t have the genetic potential. Good genes aren’t just something that’ll show up 5 minutes after you pick up a weight. They might, or your might have to bust your ass for 10-15 years to see where you could potentially end up. Look at Ronnie, he was an also-ran for many years at the O, then all of a sudden things kicked together and he was the best of the best.
And Arnie, best bodybuilder ever? Please. I don’t know why people still persist with this line of thought. He was very good but he’s nowhere near the best ever. And I’m not even talking in the mass monster stakes. Look at Zane, Wheeler, Ray, Dex… all more more balanced, more muscular and in better condition on stage.
Arnie was absolutely a pioneer and did wonderful things for the sport, but to call him the best ever because of this is a great disservice to all those who came after him.