I’ve heard many an older lifter comment on how years of heavy lifting builds density. Now, I’ll be the first to say that this totally sounds like “gym-science”, BUT, I think a lot of us have seen individuals who have really put in their time under the weights, having seriously thick and dense physiques. Is this the reason? I don’t think we can say. Of course guys like Yates, and Branch are both notoriously heavy trainers… but there are other “dense” competitors who train differently, but don’t display that freaky grainy appearance.
An interesting note to those considering the time invested having some specific effect on the visual appearance, I believe that Yates was done competing and retired by his early (mid?) 30s. Alternatively, Shawn Ray kept going (started earlier and didn’t retire until later) and never had that effect.
I think if the ‘age’ and muscle maturity thing is a factor, then does that mean there are hardly any young, ‘grainy’ BBers? Does anyone have any examples of any? I can’t think of someone off the top of my head, though it could just be that being under 25 just isn’t enough time for most to even be dense enough to have that look…
[quote]Spidey22 wrote:
I think if the ‘age’ and muscle maturity thing is a factor, then does that mean there are hardly any young, ‘grainy’ BBers? Does anyone have any examples of any? I can’t think of someone off the top of my head, though it could just be that being under 25 just isn’t enough time for most to even be dense enough to have that look…[/quote]
how old is that dude that used to post here under Pwrbarboy? He’s looking pretty dense and I think he’s still young
[quote]Spidey22 wrote:
I think if the ‘age’ and muscle maturity thing is a factor, then does that mean there are hardly any young, ‘grainy’ BBers? Does anyone have any examples of any? I can’t think of someone off the top of my head, though it could just be that being under 25 just isn’t enough time for most to even be dense enough to have that look…[/quote]
how old is that dude that used to post here under Pwrbarboy? He’s looking pretty dense and I think he’s still young[/quote]
yeah and i don’t think Aaron trained ‘heavy’ or whatever, pretty much BB’ing style 90% of his life. So I think the look is really mostly genetic, or maybe those with that ‘density’ are pre-disposed to being brutally strong, not the other way around.
[quote]Spidey22 wrote:
yeah and i don’t think Aaron trained ‘heavy’ or whatever, pretty much BB’ing style 90% of his life. So I think the look is really mostly genetic, or maybe those with that ‘density’ are pre-disposed to being brutally strong, not the other way around. [/quote]
Yeah if you follow Aaron on instagram he does not lift crazy weights. He’s strong by my standards but at his level repping 315 8 times on bench or squatting 4 plates is nothing outstanding. The guy’s just a genetic freak.
He reached those strength levels (close enough) in his first couple years training at a bodyweight of around 176 pounds - AND he was very dense looking even at this point.
So he was repping with almost 2.5 times bodyweight on Squat and DL and he could have probably squeezed out a rep or two with twice bodyweight on the bench.
It doesn’t make sense for someone who’s got to that level of strength to focus on directly pushing his maxes farther so yeah he used more of BB-type training with the same weights (now moderately heavy for him?)
[quote]audiogarden1 wrote:
[quote]Spidey22 wrote:
yeah and i don’t think Aaron trained ‘heavy’ or whatever, pretty much BB’ing style 90% of his life. So I think the look is really mostly genetic, or maybe those with that ‘density’ are pre-disposed to being brutally strong, not the other way around. [/quote]
Yeah if you follow Aaron on instagram he does not lift crazy weights. He’s strong by my standards but at his level repping 315 8 times on bench or squatting 4 plates is nothing outstanding. The guy’s just a genetic freak. [/quote]
[quote]Depression Boy wrote:
He reached those strength levels (close enough) in his first couple years training at a bodyweight of around 176 pounds - AND he was very dense looking even at this point.
So he was repping with almost 2.5 times bodyweight on Squat and DL and he could have probably squeezed out a rep or two with twice bodyweight on the bench.
It doesn’t make sense for someone who’s got to that level of strength to focus on directly pushing his maxes farther so yeah he used more of BB-type training with the same weights (now moderately heavy for him?)
[quote]audiogarden1 wrote:
[quote]Spidey22 wrote:
yeah and i don’t think Aaron trained ‘heavy’ or whatever, pretty much BB’ing style 90% of his life. So I think the look is really mostly genetic, or maybe those with that ‘density’ are pre-disposed to being brutally strong, not the other way around. [/quote]
Yeah if you follow Aaron on instagram he does not lift crazy weights. He’s strong by my standards but at his level repping 315 8 times on bench or squatting 4 plates is nothing outstanding. The guy’s just a genetic freak. [/quote]
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yeah I wasn’t saying he’s NOT strong. I’m just saying I don’t think he ever did the, idk, style of power training that most associate with the graininess look, a la Branch Warren, Dorian Blood and Guts style, Ronnie with his PL background.
All pro BB’ers are strong AF. Maybe I’m missing what ya’ll mean (not necessarily you DepBoy, idr if you said it) when someone gets the grainy look from brutally heavy lifting? Just lots of low reps? or years of training focusing on ‘strength’ over pump stuff?
I dont think we can pinpoint one reason that causes a certain look. I think it mainly comes down to genetics, then proper manipulation of drugs at the right time is also very important, how important will depend on your genetics
Im not sure lifting super heavy has much to do with it but of course its possible.
[quote]dt79 wrote:
Are any of the guys lifting or have lifted heavy weights relative to their bodyweights IN THIS THREAD grainy?[/quote]
Cant tell yet but will update in 6 weeks lol
[/quote]
Haha. Just saying there’s no need to bring up pro bodybuilders from the past and present to prove this point when all we have to do is look in the mirror.
