Hi, Im 16 years old and looking to change my body by putting on strength and size. Im new to the forums and to weightlifting in general so please tolerate my noobness :L
Im 121 pounds at the moment, and my goal is to have a great looking physique, whilst having a great deal of functional strength also.
Now, iv’e been doing a great deal of research recently about the different types of hypertrophy. Now I could be completly wrong about all this, but its the general gyst of what iv’e been reading so correct me if i’m wrong.
“Miofibrillar” hypertrophy, thats triggered with low reps (1-5 usually) and heavier weight, That actually causes the miofribril muscle fibres to grow, building actuall hard, dense muscle, and growth of the actuall muscle tissue. This is the one apparently you guys, the powerlifters would utilize
AND
“Sarcoplasmic” hypertrophy, The one bodybuilders favor, using more reps (typically 8-12) and a lower weight. In short the muscle tissue becomes filled with sarcoplasm fluid causing the muscle to appear larger.
Until I founds this information, I was set on doing a bodybuilding routine, with some low rep sets aswell to build strength, Thinking that my muscles were getting bigger because the muscle fibres were growing. As soon as I found out how superfitial sarcoplasmic hypertrophy was, and that infact miofibrillar hypertrophy was what was going to give me that dense hard look im looking for and the actuall growth of the muscle. I was put off BodyBuilding.
This new information really threw a spanner in the works, and now I have a real dilema.
The sort of body i’d like to build is one that not only looks great, but actually has the strength to match its powerful looking muscles. The muscles look hard and dense.
The olympic gymnasts have very powerful looking bodys iv’e noticed too, and you powerlifters have that dense and hard look aswell which is why im asking you guys.
I guess the main question is, will I build the body I want with low reps? The gymnasts seem to have done it, and they only use low reps and their own body weight, and so have the people who train for strength, so I just wanted your opinion seen as you’ve been there and have experience.
I really want to be strong AND have the body to show for it.
So can I build a great body with low reps if I train hard and eat right?
Be really greatful for any advice you can give me.
Thanks
-Linden
Theres a pic iv’e attached of a male gymnast, Id like a body like these guys one day.