Calling all Asians. Are we all weaker?

[darkdan]

Besides the fact that I didn't play sports as a child I'm trying to figure out why it's harder for me to gain strength then it seems to be for everyone else in the world.

My current scapegoat is the fact I'm part Filipino.

I was wondering if other Asians have a similar problem.

For instance, I've been working out on and off my whole life. Right now when I bench I rep with 110 lbs (I was up to 120 before I got sick). I was squating 135 for 20.

Obviously my diet isn't what it should be and that's partly why my gains are coming slowly.

However, even when I was younger, in shape, diet was better, I worked out more often and more consistantly, and had enough natural testosterone running through my veins to fill a pond my best bench was 160 when I was 150 lbs.

The kid I work with is roughly the same height, roughly the same lean mass (I have 17% BF and he weighs about 150 with about 10% roughly) and he's much stronger in day to day activities and he doesn't work out.

So do Asians just have to work harder and gain slower?

[Sensei]

No. Being Asian is not your problem. There are plenty of Asians who are great olympic lifters and powerlifters. You might have crappy genes for lifting, but it's not because you are Asian.

Even if you do have crappy genes, I'm not a big believer in the whole "hardgainer" thing. Eat better and eat more, train smarter and harder, get enough rest - it's not rocket science.

[darkdan]

There are plenty of others that are olympic lifters and powerlifters too that aren't Asians.

There are even more people that aren't powerlifters and olympic lifters and therefore I think sports figures, pro lifters, and bodybuilders should not be compared.

I'm hoping by the end of this conversation I won't be able to blame either my genes or being Asian though. I'd like this be to something I could work through.

I try to lift once or twice a week. I keep to simple compound lifts (squats and bench press basically....I can't seem to find anywhere in my house except the subzero garage to do chins). I'm eatting more clean then I used to, but not very clean keep in mind.

But it would be interesting to see if a trend does happen and a large amount of Asians are slightly less strong then their friends that are roughly the same size/experience.

[p0tential]

Obviously my diet isn't what it should be and that's partly why my gains are coming slowly.

I don't think it really matters what race you are. If your diet is off, you will not gain.

[Sensei]

I'm hoping by the end of this conversation I won't be able to blame either my genes or being Asian though. I'd like this be to something I could work through.
But it would be interesting to see if a trend does happen and a large amount of Asians are slightly less strong then their friends that are roughly the same size/experience.

Fine. Then, put one check down for me in the "Asian who is not weaker than his buddies of the same size and experience" category.

I try to lift once or twice a week. I keep to simple compound lifts (squats and bench press basically....I can't seem to find anywhere in my house except the subzero garage to do chins). I'm eatting more clean then I used to, but not very clean keep in mind.

I think you need to look at this very carefully before you even bother to worry about your genetics.

[darkdan]

What do you recommend? I lift twice a day, 6 days a week, hit every muscle from every angle?

I tried that for years when I was younger and Flex magazine had me convinced this was the way to go.

Nowadays, I squat on Sunday and still have DOMS on wednesday. But at least I'm happy because every week I can throw on another 2.5 lbs. It might take two years, but I'll hit 300 eventually.

[Davidelmo]

If it's any consolation every asian person I know is really weak.

But then again I know lots of weak caucasians too (myself included)

Get the diet sorted, lift heavy and you'll get stronger!

Good luck!

[Maki Riddington]

I'm half jap/half white and although at one point I felt that my asian genes may have been a factor, once I started training and eating properly my mind set changed. I also don't think genes are to blame in your case.

Asians aren't exactly known for their wonderful genetics either. Most are thin and short. Short compared to North Americans that is.

[DoUgL@S]

Interesting. I have noticed that the majority of asians in the gyms I have gone too have quite strong. Many of them where shorter than me so had less range of motion to their advantage, but they were still putting up heavy weight.

People are weak because they choose to be. Get your training and diet in order and everything will come. Consistency and constantly pushing yourself to improve will be your best allies.

[khari]

It's true, all asians are wimps.

[TechMetalMan]

No.


I have a Korean friend who is benching 225- he isn't huge but he is only 18 and been working out inconsistently for a year and a half.

He looks stronger than he is- but that is his goal- to look big- not necessarily be super strong.

I am half hispanic and half white. I have a small frame and I have always been the "small" or "weak" one. I am also 18 and I have started working out about 4-5 months ago. I have gained 40 pounds to my bench (from 120-160) in this time and about 15 pounds to my squat within 5 weeks.

Race doesn't really have to do with it- i have always been small- but I am not asian.

It's just genes and bodytype- but anyone can get strong.

[ob1]

I don't think lifting once or twice a week is gonna do it. Have you tried WBB1.

I also thought it was because of my Asian genes. But then I looked at my diet....

[darkdan]

I was thinking about WBB1, but I think it might be a little bit past what I'm capable of recovering from.

I also have a slightly physical job. Not overly physical. Much better then my last job most days.

[mrelwooddowd]

No offense here, but you're weak because you weigh 150lbs and probably aren't Kevin Starke.

If ethnicity has ANYTHING to do with potential, it's not gonna show up at this level. You have the same early capabilites as the rest of the races. Genetics will determine more down the road.

[Optimum08]

im 100% South Korean, although i was born in Kansas City, MO...

i have been playing organized tackle football since the 3rd grade...so around 10-11 years now...

im around 6'0'' 230 Lbs.

Max Bench: 320 Lbs.
Max Squat: 460 Lbs. (Parallel)
Max Dead: Haven't tested recently, presuming its at least 435+ Lbs.

so no asians are not weaker...

[Optimum08]

i might just be blessed with great genetics though...but just because your asian your not predisposed to anything...

[darkdan]

I'm not 150.

I was 150 when I was like 16.

Nowadays I'm finally down to 165. I was up to 185 lbs and like 23% BF and 5'11".

But even when I was 150 with 5% BF I was weak.

BPing 110 lbs for 5 reps is sad for a 12 year old.

[mrelwooddowd]

I benched 120 x 1 as a 25 year-old a year ago..

How old are you, how much to you weigh, how much of it is fat, and how "weak" are you?

[Jorge Sanchez]

You may, or may not be genetically disadvantaged. Either way it has nothing to do with your race, and either way you can make great strides with proper diet and training.

I used to train with an Asian buddy of mine. He could bench 165 for reps after about 6 months of training. That might not seem like much until you know that he only weighed 120lbs. Relatively speaking he could lift alot more than me.

[Davidelmo]

I'm not 150.

I was 150 when I was like 16.

Nowadays I'm finally down to 165. I was up to 185 lbs and like 23% BF and 5'11".

But even when I was 150 with 5% BF I was weak.

BPing 110 lbs for 5 reps is sad for a 12 year old.

It's not that bad really... it's probably more than a lot of people. Consider how fat, lazy and unhealthy the average person is. Most wouldn't even make it to the bench :P

Don't be discouraged... just stick at it and you'll progress.

[Skinny Fat]

Y'know, I think as a white guy I'm genetically predisposed to being slow.

Granted, I weigh 435 pounds, and jog around the block after the ice cream truck twice a week, but really, how many fast white guys do you know?

[eps]

http://www.dimvasion.com/gallery.html

nuff said

[Bohizzle]

try wbb1, although u might be really sore for the first few weeks because ur not used to the new volume, but after that, u'll start feeling better between workouts and ur gains will continually rise. eat more, lift more, gain more.

Andrew

[darkdan]

Darn, I was really hoping this could be one more thing I could blame on my mother.

I'm mainly bummed because I got sick in Jan and there went all my hard earned gains since Sept.

[windmill85]

i dont think so, i am full korean, 6'0'' and 215. Not quite optimum08 numbers, but my max bench is 300 and my last max squat was 365, although i think it might have gone up since i finally hit my goal of 5x5 with 315. dont know max deadlift, a few days ago on my back/deadlift day i ended my deads with a 2x405. for some reason i seem to be able to dead alot more than i squat. but either case, i lift 4x week, legs, chest/tri, back/bi (one iso bicep work at most), and then a speed squat/bench day. i've been eating alot more and have put on a solid 15 lbs since i starting lifting four months ago. keep on working man, it will come.