Train Like an Athlete by ATHLEAN-X (Video Podcast)

People say that how much muscle you can build is entirely determined by your genes.
Could that be true? While the shape of your muscles, and overall skeletal frame are heavily influenced by your parents and the genetic code they’ve passed on that doesn’t mean that you’re destined to a life of baggy shirt sleeves.

In this video, I look at a few different formulas that just MIGHT give you a glimpse into your genetic potential for building muscle. One particular test is centered around your wrist circumference.

Why the wrist?

The wrist is a pretty good objective measurement of your overall skeletal structure. What’s more, the wrist doesn’t store a lot of body fat so even if you go up and down in weight your wrist circumference is likely to remain relatively unchanged.

So what’s the test?

You start by taking an accurate measurement of your wrist then add 10 to that number. That should give you the genetic potential for you upper arm. These formulas go even deeper into ‘predicting’ your maximum body weight. That’s right, there’s a formula that supposedly can predict your overall size potential. To get that you would simply take your height in centimeters and subtract 100. That gives you your max potential body weight at a 6% body fat. For those in the US, convert to pounds by simply multiply the number by 2.2

What if you’re not at 6% body fat?

There’s a formula for that too, just add 10lbs, or 4.5 kg, to that final number for every additional 2% of body fat that you’re storing.

Tests like this are a lot of fun to do, especially when they prove to be accurate, but does that make scientific? At ATHLEAN-X we put the science back in strength, with that said, these type of formulas are fun but I wouldn’t put TOO much stock in the answer. Either way it shouldn’t make you feel deflated about your own potential.

No matter what your genetic make up is, I’ve never met an athlete, soccer mom or average joe who wasn’t able to make their body look, feel and move a whole lot better with the proper training and nutrition. Does that mean anyone can be the next Arnold, Dwayne The Rock Johnson or Antonio Brown? Unfortunately no.

If you’re 5’9 with tiny bone structure there’s no amount of training that’s going to turn you into one these iconic monsters, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make significant improvements to how you look. Growing up I knew I didn’t have the genetics to be the next Arnold, so although I admired his physique and work ethic I looked to others. Guys like Sylvester Stallone, Frank Zane, Jean Claude Van Damme and others all built iconic physiques on frames much more similar to my own.

If you take away anything from this video I hope it is that anyone can improve their body, movement, and the way they feel. If you have a good work ethic, a good training program and a clear goal, anyone can make that change. I say it all the time, if you change your body, you’ll change your life!


When you are ready to make that change and take your body to the next level, be sure to head to http://athleanx.com check out the ATHLEAN-X Training System. You can start building a ripped, athletic body regardless of what you feel is lacking right now.

For more videos on how to look, feel and move like an athlete be sure to subscribe to our channel here on youtube at the link below…

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