Are you getting better—stronger, faster, better endurance, etc.? If so then your exercise program is working. “But, I don’t have six pack abs!” “But, I don’t look like Dwayne Johnson!” “But,…” Sorry, but maybe you aren’t meant to—and that’s okay.
There are a few things at work, physiologically. Some are within one’s control, e.g., your exercise programming, diet, recovery, etc. Also at work are one’s genetics. I often share the statement from pioneer physiologist, Per Olof Åstrand, that “if you want to be an Olympic champion, choose your parents wisely. Now, maybe we don’t get to choose our parents, and our genes are what they are, but genetics are never an excuse—never!
I have been taking a much closer look at genetics and physical performance as I prepare for a course I will be teaching this fall, and it is fascinating stuff. It is also complicated stuff. But, we don’t have to stress over the complicated stuff, because the basics are pretty insightful.
The way I see it, we all have some level of genetic potential. The potential is quite specific according to physiological system—e.g., one is predisposed to a high maximal oxygen consumption (i.e., a potential endurance athlete), to pack on a great deal of muscle mass, or not. Our genetic potentials are individualized and predictive of our potential success (not of our failure, however, because we can all benefit from exercise in some ways—though we might be non-responders in some areas). We have to take a close look at what we have been given genetically and have reasonable goals. For example, if you are 5’6”, your likelihood of making it to the NBA is next to zero, unless you have an extraordinary vertical jump and really long arms (successful basketball players all have much greater than average arm-wing-span-to-height ratios—Nate Robinson was shy of 5’8”, but had an arm wing-span of 6’1” and 5’7” Spud Webb had a phenomenal 44” vertical jump). Some aspects of performance are trainable, but only within the limits of one’s genes.
So, should you have picked your parents poorly, perhaps you need to reconsider your goals and pursue more suitable opportunities. I, jokingly, refer to myself as a “wrestler trapped in a basketball player’s body”. Technically, given my rather normal arm-wing-span-to-height ratio and poor vertical jump (I never learned to jump—that is, never trained to jump), even at 6’5”, I don’t truly have a basketball player’s body. There were probably much better sports for me to have succeeded in than football and wrestling. My oxidative capacity if on the higher side. My long body and chicken leg may have suited me to crew—had there been opportunity (I am much too big for endurance running). If one is content with one’s goals, by all means, train accordingly. One’s expectations, however, should be reasonable.
I like to lift weights. I have lifted fairly consistently since I was a freshman in high school. Now, my training knowledge has vastly improved over the decades, but my body really hasn’t. I have accepted the reality that I have to train harder and smarter for gains—and that I have to accept that the gains will not be significant. I am realistic. I don’t have the body for powerlifting or bodybuilding. My greatest hope is to keep building (or at least maintain) strength and “look fit”. I recognize that, for me, without a tremendous dedication of time and extreme dietary control, having my abdominal muscles show is never going to happen. (I actually realized this when I was 5% body fat in my mid-20s and still did not have a washboard stomach. I enjoy food too much and looked too skinny. I have since also found that I can’t seem to have muscle without some fat. So, I have chosen to “grow into my fat”.)
So, if you are not where you want to be physically, don’t be so quick to give up, blame your trainer, or switch programs. If you are seeing gains, your program (and trainer) are probably alright. Just keep at it and don’t compare yourself to the next guy or gal. Pursue what you want, but don’t stress over what you can’t have. Be realistic. Don’t give up. (And, certainly, don’t use your genetics as an excuse for not being the best you can be!)
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!
Image source: http://mymodernmet.com/howard-schatz-beverly-ornstein-athlete/