Here’s a short bastard’s perspective:
I hate when people say that I have an advantage over them because I have short legs/arms. Everytime I hear someone say that, I cringe.
All my workout partners & most of the guys at the gym are pretty much in the 5’10"-6’2" range. I am the OBVIOUS exception when I workout…at 5’3", so everyone says that whatever weight (greater then their own) that I’m lifting is simply due to the fact that I have shorter limbs.
“Hey, LJ can bench that much becase he only has to move the bar a few inches 'cause his arms are so short.”
“Hey, LJ can squat more then me 'cause his legs are so short, he has less distance to lift the weight!”
Huh?
I also have fewer muscle fibers to recruit for each rep, and less overall body mass to lug around (and thus depriving me of functional strength that can be advantageous in the gym). After all, a 200lb guy who walks around all day should have stronger quads and calves then 150lb me.
Face it…when you are bigger, you SHOULD be naturally stronger then someone smaller. (Up to a point. If your 6’6" or taller, then I guess it might become a disadvantage, unless you have great genetics for muscle mass…like the NBA’s SHAQ vs. one of those wafer-thin 7’ guys.)
In any case, the key here is that we all have NATURAL limitations/pre-dispositions, but the reason we all train in the gym IS TO OVERCOME them.
Bottom line: if you’re legs are weak, work on them more. If your arms/chest/back are holding you back, work on them more. Eat big. Train smart. Repeat process until goal is met. Maintain for life. Enjoy!