Height. Should it really matter?

[Shutupandsquat]

I've heard quite a few people say that most short people lift such heavy weights because they're shorter and their range of motion isn't as big (and also have more mass because their muscles are shorter). In my opinion it's just their excuse for being a pussy because taller people have the potential to pack on more muscle mass. Yes; the range of motion is smaller, but if taller people are able to put on more muscle, then ideally taller people are able to lift the same weight if not heavier and all the pros (strongmen, powerlifters and bodybuilders) aren't that short. Well; not the best ones anyway. I'd just like to know what everyone else thinks about this topic.

[justhell]

id rather be short & stocky than tall. :pfft:

[bang_bang]

from what i read in your journal you have similar strength to me but your squat fucken dominates mine by a good 50kg and i do train my legs hard so i was wondering if your height has something to do with it? or maybe you just have freaky strong legs and i have chicken legs? Lol

[Rookie]

I agree with you SAS. A lot of tall guys use height as an excuse esp with the bench!!!! I don't think it really matters... sure you look at PLers like Midote and you understand why he can lift so much because of his short levers, but I don't think people should use height as an excuse. People say DLing is suited for taller people, heck my DL is a lot higher than my squat and I'm 5ft6.

I reckon just get under the bar and lift, more muscle on the frame will equal bigger numbers anyway

[Darkmanx]

You guys are grossely ignorant and making a gross generalisation. I suggest you go do homework on the science behind this before you post and keep saying "people say" stuff. You might be surprised to see what you find.

At 6'7 and in a pro career where my body needed to be strong and big as possible the mechanics just doesn't work the way as you guys are saying.

[Phedder]

Different leverages equals different mechanics. I think proportions matter more than absolute height, two people of the same could have quite varying limb and torso lengths etc. Yes it can matter, a persons proportions affect how they lift, but it should never be used as an excuse. Do what you can with what you're given.

[Mrbig]

one word LEVERS

[Calvin]

id rather be short & stocky than tall. :pfft:

HAHA typical saying from a person who only wishes they were 6ft plus..

[justhell]

id rather be short & stocky than tall. :pfft:

HAHA typical saying from a person who only wishes they were 6ft plus..

ha ha yea right :pfft:

sorry if your offended tall fella,im happy just being me.

\:D/

[Shutupandsquat]

You guys are grossely ignorant and making a gross generalisation. I suggest you go do homework on the science behind this before you post and keep saying "people say" stuff. You might be surprised to see what you find.

At 6'7 and in a pro career where my body needed to be strong and big as possible the mechanics just doesn't work the way as you guys are saying.

Yeah, but I'm pretty sure there's a 6 foot 7 strongman.

[tinytraps]

In a word yes. The strongest IPF lifters are sub 6ft, brad gillingham and some of the supers would be 6ft plus.

While a taller lifter can put on muscle mass, most of them cant fill their frames out to the extent a shorter person can.

[Shutupandsquat]

It matters to an extent. But people are just continuously making up excuses as to why they can't lift as much as another person.

[Luigi]

yea but who wants to be short stuff that.

and its not an exscuse its simple mechanics. short people should be able to lift more - less ROM

[Darkmanx]

yea but who wants to be short stuff that.

and its not an exscuse its simple mechanics. short people should be able to lift more - less ROM

What he said.

[tinytraps]

Everyone will find an excuse as to why they cant lift as much or be as big as another person. Tall guys will cry about long arms on the bench. Short guys will cry about lil stubs for hands to stop them gripping on deads. Just keep adding numbers to your lifts who gives a toss.

[Rookie]

Everyone will find an excuse as to why they cant lift as much or be as big as another person. Tall guys will cry about long arms on the bench. Short guys will cry about lil stubs for hands to stop them gripping on deads. Just keep adding numbers to your lifts who gives a toss.

:nod: exactly what I said, just get under that damn bar and lift shit!

[HarryB]

Everyone will find an excuse as to why they cant lift as much or be as big as another person. Tall guys will cry about long arms on the bench. Short guys will cry about lil stubs for hands to stop them gripping on deads. Just keep adding numbers to your lifts who gives a toss.

:nod: exactly what I said, just get under that damn bar and lift shit!

lol... YES!

Oh and to DARKMANX... yeah we like to make sweeping generalisations, but that's not being ignorant.. there's a reason why those generalisations get made.. it's cos generally they hold true. Don't be slack cos you're taller than everyone else! lol

[Darkmanx]

Everyone will find an excuse as to why they cant lift as much or be as big as another person. Tall guys will cry about long arms on the bench. Short guys will cry about lil stubs for hands to stop them gripping on deads. Just keep adding numbers to your lifts who gives a toss.

:nod: exactly what I said, just get under that damn bar and lift shit!

lol... YES!

Oh and to DARKMANX... yeah we like to make sweeping generalisations, but that's not being ignorant.. there's a reason why those generalisations get made.. it's cos generally they hold true. Don't be slack cos you're taller than everyone else! lol

With a reply like this not only are you ignorant but by the looks of things uneducated too.

[Shutupandsquat]

Everyone will find an excuse as to why they cant lift as much or be as big as another person. Tall guys will cry about long arms on the bench. Short guys will cry about lil stubs for hands to stop them gripping on deads. Just keep adding numbers to your lifts who gives a toss.

:nod: exactly what I said, just get under that damn bar and lift shit!

lol... YES!

Oh and to DARKMANX... yeah we like to make sweeping generalisations, but that's not being ignorant.. there's a reason why those generalisations get made.. it's cos generally they hold true. Don't be slack cos you're taller than everyone else! lol

Nownow. No need to bag people for their opinions. Harry; you're about the ideal height really, levers aren't too long or too small. But that's just for starting off. Once you're into training and with a proper diet, it doesn't really matter IMO; you either lift the weight, or you don't. At the end of the day, it's generally who lifts the most or who's the biggest. Just live with it, and try make that person you (not targeted at you Harry since you're pretty much the tank on this site, no homo, and not tonguing.).

[HarryB]

I was actually just upset cos TT made a jibe about stumpy hands lol... My stubby little fingers couldn't type fast enough.... and no they can't hold a heavy bar when I am deadlifting either ha ha ha ha ha ha ha oh and I envy Darkmanx cos he's 6'7 and I'm definitely not!

The truth of it is that it's down to the individual what they can achieve so just lift stuff and see how you go....

[HarryB]

Oh and I think I am far from the tank... someone like Tonka crushes me.. but thanks SAS. I think I have just been training a lot longer than most of you guys.

I am standing proud for the short guys though bro!! ha ha ha ha

[Shutupandsquat]

Yeah I can't hold the bar with my stubs; hence my squat being far bigger than my deadlift. But now I'm working on my grip so that I can lift the weight. Can't have any excuses