You could have just asked that question first, instead of the ridiculous one that you opened the thread with. It would have facilitated a much better discussion.[/quote]
You’re right, I should have opened with a more direct question.
[quote]flipcollar wrote:
You could have also googled it.[/quote]
I did. Just found variations on what I’ve already presented, ie Compound exercises involve more muscles than isolation exercises. And that might just be the answer – including compounds in your routine is simply more efficient than hitting everything with isolation exercises.
[quote]ActivitiesGuy wrote:
This is like asking if eggs or beef is a better protein source. Well, just eat some of each. Both are good for you.[/quote]
My favorite is a bacon cheese burger with an egg over easy on it. That way you get it all![/quote]
blue cheese. You’ll thank me later[/quote]
Best advice for building muscle on this whole thread!
Bodybuilding is about presentation. Having bigger arms all the time is not the same as showing peaked biceps on stage in a front double bi. Actual competitors usually built a foundation using compounds along with isolation for years to build a size base - and then focused on quality muscle stimulation to add the finishing touches as they begin eyeing the stage. There is a reason this approach works for establishing the initial size base (compounds, strength progression, systemic effect etc) while the isolation work ensures you don’t end up with severely lagging smaller/larger groups.
Anyway, these finishing touches do not amount to a massive amount of size/muscle per se but the slight size improvement, and even the temporary inflammation from greatly increased volume (that could actually work against you in quad separation but help most of everywhere else) and MOST importantly the greatly improved ability to flex and pose in order to show off the muscle group under well positioned lights when dieted down fully, dehydrated and then carbed up make a HEAVEN and earth difference when standing on stage under the lights. It ALL contributes to the illusion - ON STAGE!!!
Remember that the BB focus is a “specialisation” that comes with its own set of disadvantages. A trainee who’s been doing a starting strength followed by a 5x5 with a strength focus for 3-4 years focusing on weight on the bar, some conditioning work with the prowler/complexes and who actually plays a sport on weekends is less likely to get injured/embarrass himself while playing a sudden game of flag football/arm wrestling/grappling with his “untrained” buddies - compared to the SAME trainee years later when he has moved on to the “competitive bodybuilding” zone and replaced the “get big and strong” mentality with “quality muscle stimulation to present the best package under the lights” focus - our lifter is now brittle when faced with any task that involves dynamic stretching/loading and even slow contractions outside the planes they’re accustomed to. Specialization of ANY form has a downside.
Finally, focusing on “quality muscle stimulation” instead of merely the weight on the bar is a great way for competitors (who’ve trained close to a dozen years and accumulated wear and tear) to maximise muscle retention while dieting down without causing any training-related muscle tears or sprains that will end their career - even though some may keep in some low rep strength focused work as well.
Final advice - unless its your life’s goal to step on stage and make some money - don’t be in a hurry to begin training like a competitive BBer at the exclusion of all other athletic qualities (strength,power,dynamic flexibility).
[quote]dt79 wrote:
The one that squats. Duh.[/quote]
only if he does GOMAD[/quote]
These threads make me GOMAD. [/quote]
where I’m from, those are fighting words
also an acronym for ‘get off my asian dick’[/quote]
Shhh… don’t give away secrets to the gwailo. Remember what we had to do to Bruce Lee?[/quote]
that is only like the second ever racist word for white people I’ve ever heard.
I like honky, personally.
[/quote]
It’s only used by people from Hongkong. Non-cantonese folks like me don’t know what it means unless they watch Hongkong movies.
I’ve never heard the word “honky” before.
EDIT:
Btw, I was making a joke based on that awful piece of crap of a movie “Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story”. Wasn’t intending to be racist lol.
Principal Elder: [the Elders disagree] I’m sorry. We do not agree. You are ordered to stop teaching the gwai lo.
Bruce Lee: Or what?
Principal Elder: Or we will settle this by combat. Prepare yourself.
The isolation guy will have the bigger, or equal, biceps.
[quote]Pantherhare wrote:
I was hoping to get some explanations of why we do the things we do (use compound and isolation exercises) and just got the answer of shut up and lift.[/quote]
You use compound exercises because they’re a lot of bang for the buck (time and effort) and also a safe bet (like a previous poster said you’d have a difficult time selecting and performing all the right isolation exercises to target your entire body as well as you can do with a few compound exercises), not because they are inherently better mass builders for a specific muscle or a necessary component of stimulus.
You’re right, and it’s a reaction you’ll often see around here.
Why did I add “or equal”: because I’m assuming you intended to exclude all confounding variables, meaning you assume for example that there is some kind of “optimal” selection of exercises for each category, and an optimal load, rep range, etc. It is possible then that both persons achieve “maximum” growth stimulus from their exercises and, all other things being equal, end up with the same mass increase.
Obviously very far from any real world situation which may be what the more S:ish (vs N in MBTI) posters react aversely to.