Strength is Relative…Sort of

I’ve been getting questions about strength and specifically how much weight should be lifted for a particular body size. This is a difficult question to answer because there are multiple factors that go into measuring and building strength.

Franco is strong, but don't compare yourself to him

Muscle size is only one of the factors correlated to strength. Here is a list of other factors that play a role in strength:

1. Years of training experience

2. Intensity of training

3. The specific design of the training program followed

4. Pain tolerance

5. Age

6. Muscle pennation

7. Tendon Insertion

8. Limb Length

9. Length of tendon vs muscle belly

10. Neuromuscular efficiency

11. Injuries (acute and chronic)

12. Joint laxity

13. The specific exercise being tested

14. Exercise technique

15. Exercise technique coaching

16. Drug use

17. Supplements

…and I’m sure I’m missing a few others

As you can see there are many factors other than muscle size that determine how strong you are in any one particular exercise. Judging your strength vs mine in a particular exercise doesn’t really tell you much about the size or condition of that muscle if we don’t account for all the factors above as well.

You can use strength as a general guideline as bigger muscle are indeed stronger. But keep in mind this is only a general rule and cannot be drilled down to a more specific relationship.

John

Posted by johnbarban in strength training
Tags: muscle gaining, strength training |4 Comments

4 Responses to “Strength is Relative…Sort of”

  1. Andrew Says:
    February 2nd, 2010 at 2:55 pm

    Too true. Some of the strongest guys I know are definitely not the kind that “look” strong. I’ve long since given up on trying to keep up with the “appropriate” weight for my size and just focus on lifting more from year to year.

  2. John M. Says:
    February 2nd, 2010 at 4:40 pm

    So if I deadlift as much as Franco Columbo is pulling right there, I won’t look similar to him?

  3. johnbarban Says:
    February 2nd, 2010 at 5:04 pm

    Not necessarily.

    JB

  4. Rahim Samuel Says:
    February 2nd, 2010 at 6:00 pm

    My friends, who are “gym rats”, are always talking about the different people at their gym and how some (regardless in size) can be built for show and not to go. One of my friends is 5’8 185 lbs and can max out 325 on the bench press. Another friend of mine is 6’3 220 lbs and can put up 260 on the bench press. My first friend has been working out a few years more than the 2nd but reached his goal of 315 faster than it’s taking my 2nd friend. My 2nd friend got his size Way faster than my 1st friend however. Would this be a good case for Relative size and strength being different for people? Both of my friends are all natural and eat pretty much the same kinds of food by the way.

    Rahim Samuel
    Publisher, Wellnessbymanymeans.com

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