Lower Body/Upper Body

Testosterone · 05-11-2005, 04:34 PM

Hey all,

I have noticed through my training that my lower body generally develops much better (size + strength, though I train for strength) than my upper body. I have also noticed this with a few others.

Are any of you like this? Do any of you have better responding upper bodies than lower bodies?

I am trying to figure out if people who have better upper bodies than lower bodies are like that genetically or maybe that they just train their upper bodies harder due to want. I know somebody like that personally.

Thanks,

S.C.

Dan · 05-11-2005, 04:41 PM

You could be over training your upper body thus creating the issue you are having. Keep in mind the legs are a huge muslce group and generally grow quite well when workig heavy weights. And the reverse may not always be true for your upper body.

Testosterone · 05-11-2005, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

You could be over training your upper body thus creating the issue you are having. Keep in mind the legs are a huge muslce group and generally grow quite well when workig heavy weights. And the reverse may not always be true for your upper body.

That is true, I am indeed overtraining my upper body. Nontheless, this thread is mainly about other people's experiences. I just wanted to hear how other people compare their lower and upper body genetics.

Dan · 05-11-2005, 05:30 PM

As for that my legs do grow at a faster rate... but I attribute it to yrs of hard work outside the gym. I actually do not train my legs that much at this time. But I have 18.5 inch and 24 inch thighs.

Testosterone · 05-11-2005, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

As for that my legs do grow at a faster rate... but I attribute it to yrs of hard work outside the gym. I actually do not train my legs that much at this time. But I have 18.5 inch and 24 inch thighs.

You have that much variation between your two thighs

?

MotorcityAl · 05-11-2005, 06:26 PM

I would say (through my experience) that the majority of people working out do not train their lower body. They spend their time on upper body, and maybe throw in a set of leg extensions of leg presses now and then for chuckles. The lower body is harder to train, but it actually stimulates the whole body. (assuming of course you are doing squats, and doing them correctly) And to address squats, I would say (through my experience) that the majority of people that do squats very seldom even get close to parallel, let alone go all the way down. If squats are performed correctly, you will be breathing hard and sweating profusely. They will work your heart, lungs, assist blood circulation, increase your thigh size, strengthen your back, help your flexibility, and make you feel like you have actually worked instead of spending half your gym time on a cell phone (which I have witnessed through my experience). Enough rambling, squat, and do it right, and do it often. Excelsior!

Gappa238 · 05-11-2005, 07:10 PM

i heart legs, by far my favorite to train because like al said everyboy focuses on upper to to show off, i do lower

MotorcityAl · 05-11-2005, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gappa238

i heart legs, by far my favorite to train because like al said everyboy focuses on upper to to show off, i do lower

I would have to say that I work my Legs and Back the hardest, but my tri's are my best body part. They grew from all the pressing I did during my off and on years.

sfiximo · 05-11-2005, 07:29 PM

Been training upper body for 12 months, lower body for 8. Guess what, lower body overpowers upper.
I guess its because i can overload them in a way I cant do with other muscles. I dont feel that extreme burn with squats, i feel much more with leg extensions... I guess this is because i have no back strength to hold the heavy weights enough so that my legs fail before back

and last time i squatted i leaned forward and pulled a muscle (last friday)
Its so damn easy to make legs grow IMO. Pretty frustrating for me

MotorcityAl · 05-11-2005, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfiximo

Been training upper body for 12 months, lower body for 8. Guess what, lower body overpowers upper.
I guess its because i can overload them in a way I cant do with other muscles. I dont feel that extreme burn with squats, i feel much more with leg extensions... I guess this is because i have no back strength to hold the heavy weights enough so that my legs fail before back

and last time i squatted i leaned forward and pulled a muscle (last friday)
Its so damn easy to make legs grow IMO. Pretty frustrating for me

Work that lower back and strenghthen up those erector muscles, and lighten up your squat weight and work on form. Increase your reps to 15-20 with strict form. When you can do those, increase your weight and work to get back up to 15-20 reps. You will build your strength and endurance. Of course, it ain't for the weak at heart, but I'm guessing you can handle it. Excelsior!

Gappa238 · 05-11-2005, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfiximo

Been training upper body for 12 months, lower body for 8. Guess what, lower body overpowers upper.
I guess its because i can overload them in a way I cant do with other muscles. I dont feel that extreme burn with squats, i feel much more with leg extensions... I guess this is because i have no back strength to hold the heavy weights enough so that my legs fail before back

and last time i squatted i leaned forward and pulled a muscle (last friday)
Its so damn easy to make legs grow IMO. Pretty frustrating for me

i feel youre pain, ive repped 350 on leg ext, i can rep 400 on standing calf raises but ive never squatted over 260

Gappa238 · 05-11-2005, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khan

Leg Extensions are a waste of time.

why do you think that? i feel the most burn out of them then any other exercise, squats being a close 2nd

**johnsbod** · 05-11-2005, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gappa238

why do you think that? i feel the most burn out of them then any other exercise, squats being a close 2nd

The main reason I don't do leg extensions is because they are hard on the knee joint. All of the stress is directly put on the knees and they are far worse for you than squats, leg press, etc.

sfiximo · 05-11-2005, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotorcityAl

Work that lower back and strenghthen up those erector muscles, and lighten up your squat weight and work on form. Increase your reps to 15-20 with strict form. When you can do those, increase your weight and work to get back up to 15-20 reps. You will build your strength and endurance. Of course, it ain't for the weak at heart, but I'm guessing you can handle it. Excelsior!

:/ well i can deadlift pretty damn much... and hyperextensions just use my glutes more. Any excercise to strengthen upper back erectors?

Testosterone · 05-12-2005, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khan

That, and it just isn't a natural movement. It doesn't even help build mass on a significant level.

Hacks, Squats, Leg Press, maybe Lunges. Leg extensions? In the words of Jay Z, "Not for nuffin', never happen."

Must say, lunges absolutely destroy my quads and glutes. I love them. Squats are still number one of course, but if I had to take 2 excersizes it would be squats and lunges.

K_muscle · 05-12-2005, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khan

That, and it just isn't a natural movement. It doesn't even help build mass on a significant level.

Hacks, Squats, Leg Press, maybe Lunges. Leg extensions? In the words of Jay Z, "Not for nuffin', never happen."

Bring your squad
Biceps, Triceps, and Quads
We don't struggle with undeveloped muscles!
- Jay-Z - "breath easy"

**johnsbod** · 05-12-2005, 05:54 AM

You guys are starting to speak my language now. Squats and deads are my two favorite lifts. The soreness the day after heavy deads feels good to me.

MotorcityAl · 05-12-2005, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfiximo

:/ well i can deadlift pretty damn much... and hyperextensions just use my glutes more. Any excercise to strengthen upper back erectors?

When doing heavy deadlifts, you are working your legs and glutes as well as your back. Try stiff legged deadlifts (this is going to sound weird) but bend your knees just slightly to take the stress off your hams. Use a weight you can rep 12-15 with the last 5 reps fairly difficult. 3 sets of those should make your lower back burn. Also, many gyms (mine included) have a machine for doing the lower back. It is also effective. I pay a lot of attention to my lower back (since I'm 54) cause I don't want to be hobbling around. Since for me squats are king, the lower back work has helped me tremendously.

Gappa238 · 05-12-2005, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnsbod

You guys are starting to speak my language now. Squats and deads are my two favorite lifts. The soreness the day after heavy deads feels good to me.

i love squats! however when it comes to deads i never feel it in my back, i always feel it in my hams.

Testosterone · 05-12-2005, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gappa238

i love squat

05-11-2005, 04:34 PM	#1
Testosterone Pro Stature Join Date: May 2005 Location: Probably eating oatmeal Posts: 235 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 6	Lower Body/Upper Body Hey all, I have noticed through my training that my lower body generally develops much better (size + strength, though I train for strength) than my upper body. I have also noticed this with a few others. Are any of you like this? Do any of you have better responding upper bodies than lower bodies? I am trying to figure out if people who have better upper bodies than lower bodies are like that genetically or maybe that they just train their upper bodies harder due to want. I know somebody like that personally. Thanks, S.C.

05-11-2005, 06:26 PM	#6
MotorcityAl Motorcity God Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Motor City Posts: 187 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 6	I would say (through my experience) that the majority of people working out do not train their lower body. They spend their time on upper body, and maybe throw in a set of leg extensions of leg presses now and then for chuckles. The lower body is harder to train, but it actually stimulates the whole body. (assuming of course you are doing squats, and doing them correctly) And to address squats, I would say (through my experience) that the majority of people that do squats very seldom even get close to parallel, let alone go all the way down. If squats are performed correctly, you will be breathing hard and sweating profusely. They will work your heart, lungs, assist blood circulation, increase your thigh size, strengthen your back, help your flexibility, and make you feel like you have actually worked instead of spending half your gym time on a cell phone (which I have witnessed through my experience). Enough rambling, squat, and do it right, and do it often. Excelsior! __________________ Body under construction.

05-11-2005, 07:10 PM	#7
Gappa238 Fast guy in training Join Date: May 2005 Location: Gappaville Posts: 619 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 25	i heart legs, by far my favorite to train because like al said everyboy focuses on upper to to show off, i do lower __________________ My WS4SB II log -> Me pimping AX in my current Mass FX and Superdrol - NG log ->

05-11-2005, 07:29 PM	#9
sfiximo Pro Stature Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: a Posts: 303 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 7	Been training upper body for 12 months, lower body for 8. Guess what, lower body overpowers upper. I guess its because i can overload them in a way I cant do with other muscles. I dont feel that extreme burn with squats, i feel much more with leg extensions... I guess this is because i have no back strength to hold the heavy weights enough so that my legs fail before back and last time i squatted i leaned forward and pulled a muscle (last friday) Its so damn easy to make legs grow IMO. Pretty frustrating for me __________________ check out my journal (its somewhere in the workout log section)

05-12-2005, 05:54 AM	#17
johnsbod Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 2,965 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 62	You guys are starting to speak my language now. Squats and deads are my two favorite lifts. The soreness the day after heavy deads feels good to me. __________________ Wenn Sie Deutsch sprechen können, posten Sie hier. Misc Perv #69

05-11-2005, 04:41 PM	#2
Dan Unpaid Trash Collector Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,784 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 26	You could be over training your upper body thus creating the issue you are having. Keep in mind the legs are a huge muslce group and generally grow quite well when workig heavy weights. And the reverse may not always be true for your upper body.

05-11-2005, 05:30 PM	#4
Dan Unpaid Trash Collector Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,784 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 26	As for that my legs do grow at a faster rate... but I attribute it to yrs of hard work outside the gym. I actually do not train my legs that much at this time. But I have 18.5 inch and 24 inch thighs.