LBM=strength

DrWahoo · 12-Jul-04, 01:56 PM

does the amount of lean body mass = the amount strength you have

**Todd** · 12-Jul-04, 02:20 PM

Nope! I can most definitely lift more weight when I am carrying more body fat around on my frame. It's the same reason why bodybuyilders in their offseason can no doubtedly lift more weight compared to when they are in pre-contest mode, where they are carrying next to no body fat on them.

**jgriffith** · 12-Jul-04, 02:23 PM

Lean body mass does not include fat though, so wouldnt your LBM be similar at a low BF then when you had more fat? I understand you loose some muscle when you do a hardcore cut, but I'm guessing that generally the more LBM you have, the more you can lift.

KetoManiac · 12-Jul-04, 02:28 PM

lbm doesnt neccesarly equate to strength. Its a matter of functoinal hypertrophy

**Todd** · 12-Jul-04, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgriffith

Lean body mass does not include fat though, so wouldnt your LBM be similar at a low BF then when you had more fat? I understand you loose some muscle when you do a hardcore cut, but I'm guessing that generally the more LBM you have, the more you can lift.

Yah, sorry, you are right, LBM does not include fat, but I was just saying that having a particular amount of LBM does not necessarily mean you'll be able to lift "x" amount more compared to other situations. Because you can be carrying more fat mass along with "x" amount of LBM and you will be able to lift more weight compared to if you have "x" amount of LBM along with a less amount of fat mass.

I was just saying that there are many other things that come into play to determine how much you can lift or how much strength you have.

**Firehawk** · 12-Jul-04, 02:51 PM

Well there are also different ways to lift too...powerlifters and bodybuilders. Powerlifters might not be bigger but might be able to lift more.

**cursor** · 12-Jul-04, 02:57 PM

Fat contributes absolutely nothing to your lifting abilities. Lean body mass is the sum of all your non-fat tissue. That includes bones, finger/toenails, hair, teeth, organs, etc. The muscle portion of your LBM is what is important in determining strength.

The reason why bodybuilders might lift less after cutting is because they've lost muscle in the process ... not because the fat they formerly had contributed anything to their lifting ability during the off-season.

KetoManiac · 12-Jul-04, 03:07 PM

its also (and mostly) a matter of hypertrophy and the nervous system.

Most powerlifters are strong (yet not as big as bodybuilders) becuase of there neural effiecency and amount of myofibral hypertrophy

bodybuilders contain alot of sarcoplasmic hypertrophy, which isnt really that functional, but they contain myofibral hypretrophy as well, very little neural effiecency

**Todd** · 12-Jul-04, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cursor

Fat contributes absolutely nothing to your lifting abilities. Lean body mass is the sum of all your non-fat tissue. That includes bones, finger/toenails, hair, teeth, organs, etc. The muscle portion of your LBM is what is important in determining strength.

The reason why bodybuilders might lift less after cutting is because they've lost muscle in the process ... not because the fat they formerly had contributed anything to their lifting ability during the off-season.

Cursor, you are ultimately right with what you said above. However, extra food and excess body fat can help prevent your body from ever using its precious muscle as an energy source, help you feel more energized than you may on a calorie restricted meal plan, and maybe even help you feel as though you can train heavier in the gym. I guess that was what I was trying to say.

This is not to say that carrying more body fat will increase your strength tho. Not at all.

Gibson · 12-Jul-04, 05:14 PM

Todd's correct. Also, fat helps to cushion joints when under supreme stress such as maxing out. One of the many reasons why being at an extremely low BF% isn't healthy for the long term.

Cort · 12-Jul-04, 06:39 PM

No. It is a factor but there are others too. Height, eating habits, the way you train, the state of your CNS, the uniqueness that makes you you, how that lean mass is distributed over your body, etc...

**cursor** · 12-Jul-04, 06:42 PM

Fat cushions joints?!

I haven't heard that one before.

**Todd** · 12-Jul-04, 06:55 PM

Yep, no fat = no cushion!

**cursor** · 12-Jul-04, 07:09 PM

The real question is, however, how much fat do you think you need to cushion your joints (or organs)? By gaining another 15-lbs in fat, do you really think that ANY of it contributes to additional joint cushioning? (Love handles, for example, have nothing to do with joint integrity.) Certainly adequate dietary fat is an important component in the proper functioning of joints, but not excess body fat.

KetoManiac · 12-Jul-04, 08:38 PM

your always going to have fat around the joints, Im siding with cursor. Your going to have fats around your joints and organs at ALL times unless your dead, thats why giong below 3% body fat is impossible

Of course, staying 6 percent bf all yr around or something can cause some problems besides joint and tendon problems, but thats about it.