im statistically stronger but dont look any different

[klauitzsex]

while I enjoy liftin weights , especially with this very structured program, i dont look like someone who has lifted weights in his spare time for a long time (albeit not as organised as I should, but still). Statistically i'm stronger (worked up from nothin to a 60kg front squat, although my bench is practically been the same for years, no idea why), but i dont look it. How can I be advancin the weight but not addin mass? infact some muscles look like theyve gotten smaller since doing full bodies routines (namely bi's n tris, thought chins and BORs would of sorted them out)

[mjh]

well, the question is what is your diet like? because it's eating food, not lifting weights, that is going to add mass. Are you eating to get bigger?

(ps. moved this to the body recomposition forum, fits better there).

[jester87]

dude, yeah, eating is so important... i remember doing like 200reps bicep curls with 15kg weights on each arm... and my biceps got smaller WTF!!!! that was so freaking hilarious! i just didnt effing understand why? now i do though, i ate next to nothing in protein... i took like 1protein shake worth maybe 30g protein each day i was working out and frankly, that didnt help!

nowadays, i eat like 200g+ protein everyday excluding shakers and my bicpes gotten much more defined withouth having done any curls since i started the stronglifts 5x5!

[Bluegreyhound]

You aren't eating enough to bulk up. That aside, you are getting stronger in the gym through CNS gains, improved muscular coordination and lifting technique.

[CheshireCat]

Most people get stronger before they get bigger, alot is to do with neural adoptation, i.e. you "learn" to lift more weight. Bluegreyhound is correct above.

Mass gains come with time and the correct diet.

[javanek]

I think you're looking at the problem in the wrong light. If you want big muscles you want more of a body building routine/plan. If you want strength you do strength training. I see a lot of people confused by this. While either one does build strength to an extent, they are completely different. Big muscles aren't necessarily strong and strong muscles aren't necessarily big. If you are wanting to 'see' results the best thing to do is drop your BF%. Then the muscles will show. I don't see myself getting a lot bigger in arms legs or chest, but the numbers in my log show the difference. (Not the log here so much, but the paper log from when I started two years ago.)

[capedcrusader]

more strength is more muscle, as long as your eating for size as your lifts go up muscle mass will increase.

[capedcrusader]

and your bench has been the same for years!! are you attepmting to up the weight or go for more reps?

i think its obvious that your not eating.

[overdrive23]

maybe you were a fat(ter) kid before you started and you replaced fat with muscle.....


but i agree with what the majority of others are saying when they say:

"YOU AREN'T EATING ENOUGH TO GROW"

Trust me, if your not growing, your not eating enough.....I'm a Doctor.

And a lier! (About being a Dr)

[tkxii]

I think you're looking at the problem in the wrong light. If you want big muscles you want more of a body building routine/plan. If you want strength you do strength training. I see a lot of people confused by this. While either one does build strength to an extent, they are completely different. Big muscles aren't necessarily strong and strong muscles aren't necessarily big. If you are wanting to 'see' results the best thing to do is drop your BF%. Then the muscles will show. I don't see myself getting a lot bigger in arms legs or chest, but the numbers in my log show the difference. (Not the log here so much, but the paper log from when I started two years ago.)

Yea that sums it all up. Word. I'm a jumper/sprinter on track and field. I do the lowest reps possible, and i don't look much bigger than before. This is because the type of muscle hypertrophy that I undergo, is called myofibrillar hypertrophy - the protein of the muscle cell gets bigger. The other type, sarcoplasmic, is when the cell volume increases - you would need to do higher reps for this, and get that 'burn.' Five by 5 is supposed to be the best of both worlds, but perhaps you are taking too large of a rest period. Rest like 45 seconds maximum, hope that helps. And you said you haven't increased your bench in years - try resting less. There was a time where i could not get sore from chest workouts, and then i learned that i was resting wayy too long - 5 minutes. Rest 30-1:30. But don't sit by a clock and count seconds, you have to have a feel for how your muscles are doing. Pace yourself so that the last rep is total failure.