Tall Guys and Muscle
sdrawkcabynot
Posts: 462 Member
I have been told by so many people that guys that are tall in stature have a very hard time building muscle mass. They don't tell me why - they just say "Oh - tall guys have a hard time building muscles." I have already gained 2 inches in my biceps and looking to gain a few more. But does it have to do with the length of the muscle?
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Replies
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In terms of genetic muscular potential, your "frame" is more important that your height specifically.
I can say this though, 10 lbs of muscle looks like a lot more on a 5'9" guy than it does on a 6'3" guy. It's not accident that most of the Mr. Olympia winners were on the shorter side.
With all that said, your genetics are what they are, not much you can do about it. Just bust *kitten* in the gym and maximize what you have. I'm 6'1" with small joints, and not very strong naturally, and I've built a decent amount of muscle.0 -
tall guys+muscles? Yes please!1
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tall guys+muscles? Yes please!
This was exactly what I was thinking. I was kind of hoping for pictures actually....1 -
In terms of genetic muscular potential, your "frame" is more important that your height specifically.
I can say this though, 10 lbs of muscle looks like a lot more on a 5'9" guy than it does on a 6'3" guy. It's not accident that most of the Mr. Olympia winners were on the shorter side.
With all that said, your genetics are what they are, not much you can do about it. Just bust *kitten* in the gym and maximize what you have. I'm 6'1" with small joints, and not very strong naturally, and I've built a decent amount of muscle.
Pretty much sums it up, im 6'3 and 275lb and 18%bf (i know not super lean) but have a very large frame, big joints, long long arms and legs so my muscles lack the illusion of bigness. But i love being tall, i cant wait for the day i break 300lbs.0 -
tall guys+muscles? Yes please!
I am making you a name tag that says "Hi - my name is Thread Killer!" BAHA1 -
There are plenty of tall guys out there with muscle. Above poster is correct in saying it shows much more on shorter guys vs. taller.
I'm currently 225, at 6'3" w/ about 17 - 18% body fat. Still dieting down a bit more before I try to actually build muscle for the first time.0 -
In terms of genetic muscular potential, your "frame" is more important that your height specifically.
I can say this though, 10 lbs of muscle looks like a lot more on a 5'9" guy than it does on a 6'3" guy. It's not accident that most of the Mr. Olympia winners were on the shorter side.
With all that said, your genetics are what they are, not much you can do about it. Just bust *kitten* in the gym and maximize what you have. I'm 6'1" with small joints, and not very strong naturally, and I've built a decent amount of muscle.
Same here.. 6.1" with a small frame.. Wrist size is 6 7/8". It's been tough to grow my biceps, but I don't spend a lot of time doing iso work for them. I do agree that the longer the muscle, the more your muscle will have to grow to get larger in proportion.0 -
Ok - not absolutely sure how you can tell if you have small or big joints? I do have rather slim forearms (as you can see in my profile pic) but have pretty thick calves and thighs (but slim ankles). I also have long arms and legs and a short torso and would say I am medium framed.0
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There are plenty of tall guys out there with muscle. Above poster is correct in saying it shows much more on shorter guys vs. taller.
So basically I can get it - I just have to work a little harder to make it show like the midgets show it? haha.1 -
There are plenty of tall guys out there with muscle. Above poster is correct in saying it shows much more on shorter guys vs. taller.
So basically I can get it - I just have to work a little harder to make it show like the midgets show it? haha.
Work harder, no just weigh more.0 -
Pick up heavier things more frequently. Than eat larger amounts in higher frequency.0
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Ok - not absolutely sure how you can tell if you have small or big joints? I do have rather slim forearms (as you can see in my profile pic) but have pretty thick calves and thighs (but slim ankles). I also have long arms and legs and a short torso and would say I am medium framed.
What is your wrist and ankle measurement?0 -
There are plenty of tall guys out there with muscle. Above poster is correct in saying it shows much more on shorter guys vs. taller.
So basically I can get it - I just have to work a little harder to make it show like the midgets show it? haha.
You don't have to work any harder, you just have to put more weight on then shorter people yes, but if you add 10% of your body weight and you are "normal" weight for your height and someone shorter that is normal weight for their height puts on 10%, it should look relatively the same given the same proportions. that being said you would have to add more weight to get the 10% gain vs the shorter person, so you just have to eat more then they do.0 -
When i saw this i was like, "I know what this guys is talking about." I'm 6'4 224lbs and over the years (7 years in fact) i have built a good amount of muscle it will just take the taller guys a bit more work and time. I rather be tall and have a harder time gaining muscle than shorter that can pack on muscle quickly. What that other guy was talking about is true, that 10 lbs of muscle on that 5'7 guy will be more noticeable than the same amount of muscle on a 6'2 frame.0
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tall guys+muscles? Yes please!
This was exactly what I was thinking. I was kind of hoping for pictures actually....
Hahaha! Me too! Especially since I was just looking at pics of Mr. Jeremy Shockey (6'5" 251lbs of solid muscle)! Yummy!0 -
This!!In terms of genetic muscular potential, your "frame" is more important that your height specifically.
I can say this though, 10 lbs of muscle looks like a lot more on a 5'9" guy than it does on a 6'3" guy. It's not accident that most of the Mr. Olympia winners were on the shorter side.
With all that said, your genetics are what they are, not much you can do about it. Just bust *kitten* in the gym and maximize what you have. I'm 6'1" with small joints, and not very strong naturally, and I've built a decent amount of muscle.
OP. Im 6"1 + with long limbs, I have no problem building muscle but 10 lbs etc. of lean muscle will look more impressive on a shorter guy than a taller one. Genetics, T- levels, nutrition, proper workout program/split are the important factors not your height. But regardless of those factors dont let them be an excuse to not train hard and lift heavy!! If your main goal is to build muscle you need to drasticly change your current program/split etc.0 -
Ok - not absolutely sure how you can tell if you have small or big joints? I do have rather slim forearms (as you can see in my profile pic) but have pretty thick calves and thighs (but slim ankles). I also have long arms and legs and a short torso and would say I am medium framed.
More on genetic muscular potential, frame size, etc:
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/muscle-gain/whats-my-genetic-muscular-potential.html
http://www.weightrainer.net/potential.html0 -
6'3" 230 lbs. down from 270. I have arms that drag the floor but if I make a bicep pose its huge. It takes longer to build longer muscles. So if you look at a short guy with large arms it didn't take him as long as a tall guy to build that muscle. 22" bicep on a 6'3" guy and 17" or 18" on a 5' 4" guy look proportionate for their body. Proportionately equal the tall guy will be stronger.0
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tall guys+muscles? Yes please!
I am making you a name tag that says "Hi - my name is Thread Killer!" BAHA
I really am... It's sad actually.0 -
tall guys+muscles? Yes please!
This was exactly what I was thinking. I was kind of hoping for pictures actually....
Hell yes!!! Me too!!!1 -
tall guys+muscles? Yes please!
This was exactly what I was thinking. I was kind of hoping for pictures actually....
Hell yes!!! Me too!!!
so boys?! Pictures???0 -
AmberJslims, what guy on MFP. can say no to you!! Especially after you were kind enough to share pics of your extremely sexy bottom while wearing those cute skivies for us earlier today!!tall guys+muscles? Yes please!
This was exactly what I was thinking. I was kind of hoping for pictures actually....
Hell yes!!! Me too!!!
so boys?! Pictures???
1 -
AmberJslims, what guy on MFP. can say no to you!! Especially after you were kind enough to share pics of your extremely sexy bottom while wearing those cute skivies for us earlier today!!tall guys+muscles? Yes please!
This was exactly what I was thinking. I was kind of hoping for pictures actually....
Hell yes!!! Me too!!!
so boys?! Pictures???
I'll take one of those please0 -
Ok - not absolutely sure how you can tell if you have small or big joints? I do have rather slim forearms (as you can see in my profile pic) but have pretty thick calves and thighs (but slim ankles). I also have long arms and legs and a short torso and would say I am medium framed.
What is your wrist and ankle measurement?
I will have to measure tonight when I get home - I would guess my wrist to be about 7-7.5" and my ankles (mind you i am using a string and measuring against a standard piece of copier paper) are about 10.5"0 -
In my "opinion" smaller guys have an advantage in both body building and powerlifting.
That being said Arnold was 6'2 making his accomplishments even greater to me.
Not even close to taking pics yet.0 -
In my "opinion" smaller guys have an advantage in both body building and powerlifting.
That being said Arnold was 6'2 making his accomplishments even greater to me.
Not even close to taking pics yet.
Powerlifting not so much, Some of the best; Gary Frank, Andy Bolton and Ano Turtiainen are all over 6'2.0 -
I'm 6"11 and I kinda find it difficult to gain muscle but it doesn't bother me,it took me 2yrs to gain the muscle I wanted,but it was worth it.
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Ok - not absolutely sure how you can tell if you have small or big joints? I do have rather slim forearms (as you can see in my profile pic) but have pretty thick calves and thighs (but slim ankles). I also have long arms and legs and a short torso and would say I am medium framed.
Hmm-- I know I've seen charts that work exactly like bodyfat percentage charts. You know, the ones where you take three measurements and look it up on the chart, blah blah blah.
Anyway, IIRC, you measure the elbow, the... wrist? And something else. With a fat caliper. And that's supposed to give you an idea of where your frame falls on the continuum from small to large.
Here's one that just goes by an elbow measurement. I'm not sure if that's less reliable than three measurements or not.
http://health.bizcalcs.com/Calculator.asp?Calc=Frame-Size-Elbow
Edit-- ah, here's one that seems a little better:
http://www.dietandfitnesstoday.com/bodyFrame.php0 -
Tall guys generally have long limbs and makes it harder for them to go heavier on bench press(for example)
Stocky build guys with short limbs make the 'distance' shorter between the bar and the chest, thus they can pump out heavier weights.
That's why you see guys with long arm/legs look awkward and struggle at bench press/squats.
6'2-6'3 is fine, that's not 'tall'. I would consider 'tall' as 6'50 -
I feel ya. I am 6’5” and weigh 220. I feel as tho I have to work 2x as hard to gain what a 5’5” person has to.
I love it tho. I know at the end of the day I have had to work harder for my gains (no disrespect to you short folks) and I stand out in a crowd. ; )
Steadily on my way to 250 pounds and standing tall.
Good luck with your lifting!0
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