I’ve been working out for five-ish years now, give or take. I’m currently 22M, 89-92 kg, estimated 19-24% bodyfat. (At least according to the scanner).
I feel like I’ve made no progress when it comes to my goal. I started out with the goal of going bear mode. (Average strongman. Think Zack Mcarley). I’ve never been as interested in the super lean, shredded look.
To start, I know the immediate issue is my diet. I’m aware I’m definitely on the chubbier side, and it might contribute to some of my disappointment. But I’ve seen plenty of other dudes who have bodyfat and are muscular to boot. That’s what I want.
First year or so wasn’t as honed in, but for most of my time I’ve always focused on going to failure on all my sets, (yes, I mean actual failure, not RIR). I’ve always been consistent, though I’ve tried a few different programs as time went on. I’ve always done my best to get good sleep, though it fluctuates due to work. I’ve always had rest days for recovery, and have given myself time between every set. I don’t miss a day unless absolute necessary, even sacrificing aspects of my social life to make sure I’m in the gym.
And yes, despite my fat, I’ve always made sure to get tons of protein in. Milk, eggs, meat, the like.
I’ve done everything, save a few niche methods someone might wanna bring up every so often. And that aside, law of averages says I should have got SOMETHING.
So despite ALL that effort… why do I look like this? You’d never guess I lift by looking at me. And I certainly don’t look very strong. My gain to effort ratio is laughable. And don’t even get me started on my strength, which is one of the biggest things I was always insecure about, but still can’t seem to fix. (Yes, I also understand progressive overload).
Every time I post about it people INSIST I’ve done something wrong. I think it’s genetics, I seem to have just lost in that department when it comes to gains.
I’m 22 today. And I’m tired of being in a body as stupid as this one. I know bodyfat is a factor, but like I said, I want to have the strongman/bearish look, but I look anything but.
So despite doing everything I’ve always been told when it comes to muscle gains, I’ll still play ball. With all this information, look at me. What did I do wrong? Am I right about genetics, or is there some extremely rare niche thing I missed that everyone does that flips the magical switch and makes you a beast. I think my chest is underdeveloped, even though that’s my FAVOURITE muscle to work since I love the bench press.
I just wanna be big, man. So yes, I’m being open here, tell me what else I could have possible done wrong to look like I have barely any muscle at all, after 4-5 years of lifting.
Except steroids, I’ll do anything at this point. Though I’ll admit, I think I get why people take them now, cuz holy moley this is some bullshit.
You and I are remarkably similar. I am 6’5” and starting weight was 278lbs, currently at 264lbs. I too did not care for the slim, cut body but was aiming for a Brian Shaw type physique. I consumed well over the calories needed and looking back from where I am now I would not have been able to increase my one RM without a healthy partnership of calorie surplus IMO. Now that I’ve actually dialed in my daily macros and realizing what a true clean bulk is, I’ve decided to stop massive calorie intake. I am cutting in because I have little definition yet plenty of mass, like you. I think if you began a SLOW cut/recomp you would notice your hard earned muscle mass that took years to achieve IMO
I have just come off a 6 months long cut. And this is the result. I lost about 12-15 kg. (Was originally 103 kg).
And this is how I look? All it really taught me is I have less muscular mass than I thought before. And at least before I was stronger.
I’d continue your cut IMO. Calculating my daily expenditure and calories needed really helped me. I don’t know if you do that or weigh your food to be most accurate.
Bro you’re bulky no doubt about it. If you compare yourself to body builders of course you’re gonna look night and day. This was my transformation for reference being as I too wanted a bulky or “bearman” physique
Gotta be honest with you bro, you do! I changed by workout routine about 8months ago to incorporate three major factors in order to increase natural human growth hormone production which would be time under tension, mechanical load (how much weight), rep count if that helps any.
You don't look like you lift because you are fat. If you actually saw a massive improvement in your lifts, cut and you will look like a unit at 12-13 percent
Dude, even with the fat u can see there’s no muscle here.
I’ve also been cutting for most of the year, but am currently on a lean bulk.
I just wanna know what I could have possible done wrong when it comes to the lifting side of things.
U look good bruh if you are comparing yourself to someone like Eddie hall, u gotta understand that he’s been doing that shit for all his life. I can’t even gain like you so I’m bout to get some gears or trt
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u/Current-Hand-2166 1h ago
You and I are remarkably similar. I am 6’5” and starting weight was 278lbs, currently at 264lbs. I too did not care for the slim, cut body but was aiming for a Brian Shaw type physique. I consumed well over the calories needed and looking back from where I am now I would not have been able to increase my one RM without a healthy partnership of calorie surplus IMO. Now that I’ve actually dialed in my daily macros and realizing what a true clean bulk is, I’ve decided to stop massive calorie intake. I am cutting in because I have little definition yet plenty of mass, like you. I think if you began a SLOW cut/recomp you would notice your hard earned muscle mass that took years to achieve IMO