Question: What Role Do Genetics Play In The Success of a Bodybuilder?
I want to become a bodybuilder but people tell me that I do not seem to have good genetics to be good at bodybuilding? How do I know if I have good genes or not?
Answer: The question of how much genes play a role in bodybuilding success is one that has been heatedly debated for a few years now. In order to answer this question however, one needs to first and foremost define what bodybuilding success means.
Bodybuilding Success
Bodybuilding success can have different meanings for different people:
- Gaining muscle and losing fat: If bodybuilding success for you refers to the ability of increasing muscle mass to the point that you become much bigger than most around you, and losing body fat until you are at low single digits (such as 6-7%), then I am here to tell you that anyone can accomplish that. Where genetics come into play is that your training partner may do the same program that you are doing and perhaps respond twice as fast to it as you do (or perhaps way slower than you). I've seen people that started lifting weights looking already much better than I did after 3 years of hard training. Typically, these people are mesomorphs, genetically gifted individuals who gain muscle rather easily and are always very lean (6% body fat or even less). Some of them, no matter how bad they eat, seem to just get bigger in the muscle department and very shredded. One of my best friends (see picture to the right) has such a metabolism. If you saw a picture of him when he started training, you would think he had been at it for at least 6 years. So get used to the idea that for some people the bodybuilding journey would be much easier than for others.
- Winning a local bodybuilding contest: Now, if bodybuilding success for you means winning a local bodybuilding show, provided you gain enough muscle mass through the years and then get down to 3-4% as you prepare for the show, you will most likely win as lower level shows are won through muscularity mainly (or how hard and defined you look onstage; a function of how low your body fat is). So again, genetics will only play a role when it comes to how easy or hard it will be for you to achieve the 3-4% body fat while keeping your muscle mass. In this case, genetics will not affect the outcome provided that you are determined enough.
- Winning a national level bodybuilding contest to go pro: However, if bodybuilding success for you means winning a high level national bodybuilding show and turning into an IFBB Professional, then here is where I say that genetics do play a role. At a high level national show you not only have to be a big guy, but your shape needs to be pleasing and your symmetry has to be impeccable. In this case, it is best if you were born with long muscle bellies. For example, while high calves can be maximized in size they will always look inferior to calves that are attached closer to the ankle and are developed to the fullest. The same goes for the rest of the muscles. In addition, at this level muscle shape is also a consideration. Some people have what juges call very nice lines, which is a term that describes how pleasing the physique looks to the eye. Arnold Schwarzenegger had very nice lines. However, some people, no matter how hard they try, may never attain the shape that the judges are looking for just because of the way that their muscles are shaped. It is an unfortunate reality, no different than if someone like me whose height is 5'4" would be trying to become a pro at basketball. I can play basketball and maybee win a game around my street but turning pro is a whole different ballgame (no pun intended). Sometimes life is just not fair. Also, at this level, mesomorphic guys will have a very distinct advantage over you.
Conclusion
I would like to share a story with you. When I first started training I was told that I had no genetics for bodybuilding and that I would never have any calves. I pushed myself to the maximum, pounding my calves with a vengeance and now they are one of my best body parts. As far as the rest of my body, while I have to eat very clean foods year round (something that really does not bother me) in order to stay at 6-8% body fat and also have to do two sessions of 45 minutes of cardio in order to get down to a 4% body fat, I have surpassed all my expectations as to what I though I could achieve in bodybuilding. On 2001, after 11 years of training I won a steroid tested show (statewide level) unanimously. On 2002 I took 4th on the Team Universe (another tested show in NY that is at the National level). These days I weigh 185 at 4% and 196 at 7%. I must say that I am finally pretty happy with how I look and thrilled of the fact that I have surpassed all of my own expectations.
So how do you know if you have good genetics? Push yourself to the maximum day in and day out with your training program, stick to your diet and supplements regimen, rest enough and keep this up for several years. By the time several years go by, while you may or may not be able to win a national bodybuilding show or turn pro, I guarantee that you will be way ahead of what you thought you could accomplish and certainly way bigger and defined than most around you.
All the best!
About The Author
Hugo Rivera, About.com's Bodybuilding Guide and ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer, is a nationally-known best-selling author of over 8 books on bodybuilding, weight loss and fitness, including "The Body Sculpting Bible for Men", "The Body Sculpting Bible for Women", "The Hardgainer's Bodybuilding Handbook", and his successful, self published e-book, "Body Re-Engineering". Hugo is also a national level NPC natural bodybuilding champion. Learn more about Hugo Rivera.More Bodybuilding Q&A
