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Why the conventional wisdom on how to grow muscles is wrong

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61–70 of 248 posts

Re: Why the conventional wisdom on how to grow muscles is wrong

#61
post #28

They seem to be talking about bodybuilding a lot, but then (at least some) of the discussions move to muscle growth among random groups of people. The two are not the same. Bodybuilders are trying to put on muscle, sometimes in specific places, long after they have stalled in workouts most people would do. >Going on a higher carb diet increases intramuscular glycogen stores, which attracts a lot of water into the mus…

You don't eat carbs for the pump. It's right there in the paragraph -- you eat carbs to have glycogen, so you can lift more. Then you stop eating carbs to get shredded. Your own quote just says it is an effect, not that it's the purpose.

And he's saying the article is wrong. People love hate bro science but most bodybuilders go through a lot of trial and error to find the right diet. And they don't meassure success by looks* but by performance (eg. new PR). The article basically thinks that bodybuilders don't actually know what they are doing when most actually do. Maybe not all understand the exact science (although some certainly do) but they do know what works, because they exist as a community of millions of people all trying things are reporting what works.

*some do, but the ones that do are not eating carbs

Re: Why the conventional wisdom on how to grow muscles is wrong

#62
Please be aware that scientist brad schoenfeld that is being cited throughout the article. Has changed his opinion on some topics and other topics he even did a 180. The human body is very complex system with balances and counter balances. So almost any statement can be true and false, depending on the context.

Interview with Brad schoenfeld where he explains his latests thoughts on training. https://youtu.be/SUy6HwOhT3U

Edit: Maybe it's unclear Brad schoenfeld is a prominent hypertrophy scientist if he is still changing his mind based on newer science. Then its clearly not as simple as being stated.

Re: Why the conventional wisdom on how to grow muscles is wrong

#63

As a comment addressing several comment threads here, and what I believe is a fallacy in the article. The main issue I believe at play is that non-competitive types (eg non bodybuilders) frequently are not very good at assessing how hard they're pushing themselves. Because of that working with 1lb (or very low % of 1RM) is often ineffective because they have a hard time telling if the 99th, 100th, or 120th rep is tru…

I imagine most weightlifters possibly know their 1 RM at least after the beginner stage, I sure as hell do.

I highly doubt you're "most" weight lifters tbh. I would call the population of "weight lifters" as essentially anyone who does a workout involving added weight.

That population I suspect ranges from someone doing a 20/20/20 workout with 5lb dumbbells on all 3 moves of overhead press, tricep extensions, and squats. ranging to the guy who keeps perfect logs, preplanned multiweek training blocks with precalculated weights for every set (eg someone running Weiders 5/3/1).

But for every guy running a well crafted program, there's probably 10 guys just doing whatever he saw in mens health/Instagram that week, but with 30 seconds rest cause he wants to "tone".

Re: Why the conventional wisdom on how to grow muscles is wrong

#64

"Everybody wants to be a bodybuilder, but nobody wants to lift no heavy-ass weights." - Ronnie Coleman I have gained quite a bit of muscle mass after building out a home gym during covid. I'm no scientist but following the Reddit PPL[1] workout and eating lots of protein did the trick for me. [1] - https://www.reddit.com/r/Fitness/comments/37ylk5/a_linear_pr...

> "Everybody wants to be a bodybuilder, but nobody wants to lift no heavy-ass weights." - Ronnie Coleman

I don't wanna look like a bodybuilder but if I could stay skinny and shark the highland games I'd be tickled pink.

Re: Why the conventional wisdom on how to grow muscles is wrong

#65
post #36

"Everybody wants to be a bodybuilder, but nobody wants to lift no heavy-ass weights." - Ronnie Coleman I have gained quite a bit of muscle mass after building out a home gym during covid. I'm no scientist but following the Reddit PPL[1] workout and eating lots of protein did the trick for me. [1] - https://www.reddit.com/r/Fitness/comments/37ylk5/a_linear_pr...

I'm planning out a home/garage gym now. Is there any equipment you recommend? Or ones that people should stay away from?

While I have Rogue stuff, I think the REP Fitness racks and benches end up being a better deal for what you get quality wise.

Re: Why the conventional wisdom on how to grow muscles is wrong

#66

"Everybody wants to be a bodybuilder, but nobody wants to lift no heavy-ass weights." - Ronnie Coleman I have gained quite a bit of muscle mass after building out a home gym during covid. I'm no scientist but following the Reddit PPL[1] workout and eating lots of protein did the trick for me. [1] - https://www.reddit.com/r/Fitness/comments/37ylk5/a_linear_pr...

I have lifted for 30 years.

The standard bullshit line in the fitness industry has always been "everyone else is wrong". Practically what every single trainer ever in the world has said.

The reason is because of all the things I have done in my life, lifting is the most trivially simple activity there is. It is as complex as shoveling dirt. The only way to differentiate if trying to make money is to bullshit. Pick the weights up, put them down, eat food. It just not that complicated.

Re: Why the conventional wisdom on how to grow muscles is wrong

#67
post #29

I used to run a half-marathon every single day for close to two years until a bone fracture knocked me out (obvious in hindsight). Added daily weight training after my recovery and I'm now in the best shape of my life (mid 40s). Right after nutrition and sleep, it's the best you can do for well-being and mobility in daily life — No need to go overboard with all kinds of machines, let alone stims.

Impressive. I managed to do half-marathons bi-monthly for 6 months straight and that was already great by my standards. The thing I always ask myself is: if I train too much, won't I get bored of jogging ?

The question is: Is running an escape from, or into reality.

Re: Why the conventional wisdom on how to grow muscles is wrong

#68

"Everybody wants to be a bodybuilder, but nobody wants to lift no heavy-ass weights." - Ronnie Coleman I have gained quite a bit of muscle mass after building out a home gym during covid. I'm no scientist but following the Reddit PPL[1] workout and eating lots of protein did the trick for me. [1] - https://www.reddit.com/r/Fitness/comments/37ylk5/a_linear_pr...

As a newbie lifter, any consistent lifting + food intake/protein will do wonders.

Re: Why the conventional wisdom on how to grow muscles is wrong

#69
post #36

"Everybody wants to be a bodybuilder, but nobody wants to lift no heavy-ass weights." - Ronnie Coleman I have gained quite a bit of muscle mass after building out a home gym during covid. I'm no scientist but following the Reddit PPL[1] workout and eating lots of protein did the trick for me. [1] - https://www.reddit.com/r/Fitness/comments/37ylk5/a_linear_pr...

I'm planning out a home/garage gym now. Is there any equipment you recommend? Or ones that people should stay away from?

Rogue is the gold standard but I honestly haven't seen any deficiencies with other smaller brands like Rep or Titan Fitness. I don't know your fitness level, but if you have the space I always recommend the basics: squat rack if you have the time (can also function as pull-up and bench), dumbbells, curl bar if possible, and free weights. I'd keep an eye on used/craigslist listings as well, with the pandemic lifting, a lot of people who spent a lot of money on excess equipment will be looking to unload extra equipment.

Re: Why the conventional wisdom on how to grow muscles is wrong

#70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You don't eat carbs for the pump. It's right there in the paragraph -- you eat carbs to have glycogen, so you can lift more. Then you stop eating carbs to get shredded. Your own quote just says it is an effect, not that it's the purpose.

And he's saying the article is wrong. People love hate bro science but most bodybuilders go through a lot of trial and error to find the right diet. And they don't meassure success by looks* but by performance (eg. new PR). The article basically thinks that bodybuilders don't actually know what they are doing when most actually do. Maybe not all understand the exact science (although some certainly do) but they do kn…

semantic pedantry here: "bodybuilder" refers to a sport/discipline where they literally do lift for looks or aesthetics; not performance.
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