Do You Have 'Good' or 'Bad' Muscle-Building Genetics? (5 SIGNS)

Genetics is a controversial topic in the bodybuilding and fitness space. Some people believe they have "bad genetics" for building muscle and are quick to label someone with an impressive physique as having "good genetics."

But how do we define "good" or "bad" genetics, and how much does it affect a lifter's starting physique, and how they progress from weight training?

In this video, we'll discuss practical ways to assess if you have good or bad genetics.

First, let's be clear that the scientific community doesn't fully understand human genetics. How specific genes influence muscle and strength gains from resistance training is a topic of ongoing research. There currently isn't enough data for us to draw hard conclusions.

The points in this video will familiarize you with how lifters respond to weight training and how genetics plays a role. By the end of this video, you'll have a good idea of whether or not you have good or not so good genetics for muscle building.

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References:

1. Hubal MJ, Gordish-Dressman H, Thompson PD, Price TB, Hoffman EP, Angelopoulos TJ, Gordon PM, Moyna NM, Pescatello LS, Visich PS, Zoeller RF, Seip RL, Clarkson PM. Variability in muscle size and strength gain after unilateral resistance training. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2005 Jun;37(6):964-72. PMID: 15947721.
2. Nordström P, Lorentzon R. Influence of heredity and environment on bone density in adolescent boys: a parent-offspring study. Osteoporos Int. 1999;10(4):271-7.
3. Dahab KS, McCambridge TM. Strength training in children and adolescents: raising the bar for young athletes?. Sports Health. 2009;1(3):223-226.
4. Radaelli R, Fleck SJ, Leite T, Leite RD, Pinto RS, Fernandes L, Simão R. Dose-response of 1, 3, and 5 sets of resistance exercise on strength, local muscular endurance, and hypertrophy. J Strength Cond Res. 2015 May;29(5):1349-58.

[jeff_kal]

Respect to the guy in yellow who volunteered to be all the bad examples 😂

[dinamo.slavonija]

all i did as a kid was play soccer non stop, im 25 now, into bodybuilding, my legs and glutes are next level compared to my upper body, i kinda wish i did some push ups and pull ups as a kid too...

[bruh]

I have bad genetics but it hasn’t stopped me from getting as much out of them as possible lol

[kylewhisenant]

It's all about patience consistency and discipline

[ClassicBodybuildingArchives]

Stay encouraged, building muscle in real time takes a long time. The body just does not want to change. You won’t really know how jacked you can get until you put in your time with the weights and proper nutrition and recovery. This will take several years of consistent training at least. Be patient and enjoy the journey. 🏋️. Peace, Sal.

[GymRatMotivation]

This is a great bodybuilding channel- no petty gossip, no skits, no BS. Straight business and factual information. I’ve learned so much here, thank you!!

[ragnarthor]

My dad was a body builder at the time and everyone thought he was on steroids. I started working out alot 7 months ago and have changed alot but i barely did any exercise in my teen years. I dont know what to expect. I lift 6 times a week. My dad said that the change ive made in 6 months was almost unrealistic and that in another 6 months ill be a beast. I hope hes right

[johnnyg]

I already knew my genetics were never that favorable for muscle building. But I started training anyways in 1975. Everyone I worked out with (Martial artists, military, Navy Seals, etc.) were all people who were naturally big and tried giving me advice during the 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s, yet here I am still healthy but still small. The best alternative has been martial arts training for me.

[BBooks]

Another thing to remember when it comes to weight lifting/body building is that most people don’t work out in general so regardless of your genetics you’re going to look better than most people with consistency and effort.

[Yoj]

This is a good intro video for your channel, sources, self reflection, piquing subject and climactic editing that won't draw out content. thanks & liked and favorite

[wahiedali]

Mad Props for the guy in yellow or just anyone in the gym that keeps trying and won’t give up. I have respect for anyone trying. That’s all you need to keep doing. Some get gains faster others take longer but will get there. Keep going and don’t give up. We are all in this together. Show Them!

[nishafranks]

Thanks for this video. It’s what I needed. Especially the last bit!

[a.f.s.]

Good bodybuilding genetics:
Small waist, wide shoulders
Small hips, small joints
Nicely shaped muscle bellies
Evenly distributed fat or lack there of
Good response to training

[mitcht]

Everyone has their genetic strengths & weaknesses. My legs (quads, hamstrings & glutes, specifically) are by far my genetic strong points. Literally doesn't matter if I go heavy or light on things like squats, lunges or leg presses, they blow right up. Shoulders are a close second. They respond great to any pressing & lateral raises and even before I started training I was always broad in those areas. Bis & tris are a bit weaker. It's taken me years of going wild & switching things up with arm training, and only now am I actually seeing some really decent gains in them.
Keep going. Push yourself hard and just be patient. You'll get there! 🔥👍

[Viking_Raven]

Most people seem to think "If my genetics aren't good, that means they are bad"

No, most of us lay on an "average" of muscle and strength building potential. Needless to say anyone can build a good looking body under conventional standards.

In general I think people are too negstive on themselves, constantly worrying about their genetics before putting the time and patience to let results speak.

[fon]

Outstanding information, thank you musclemonsters!

[proffeine]

Best thing is simply to not give a shit about these details. You going out to test your genetics will not do you any good regardless of the result. Those with good genetics will get lazier as they’ll be like “hey, my genes already do the job for me, why continue training so hard?” Those with poor genetics will just get discouraged and not see any progress.

[aguspuig]

i think its important to say that exercising during puberty doesnt make you have better genetics, it makes it easier for you to gain muscle just the same as if an adult did physical activity, only difference is that during puberty you make gains quicker, and you also get used to exercising regularely, but dont think that because you were lazy during puberty you now have a lower limit as to how much muscle/strenght you can gain

[mannycalavera]

The thing that bothers me when people are talking about their "bad genetics" is that in my experience they use it to claim they can't get fit. Instead of looking at the real reasons. Sure there is some genetic component that goes into how you look. But bad genetics can never be blamed for being out of shape.

[huntermach]

Im skinny and I'm latino. I've never considered myself to have bad genetics, it just that the US and other developed countries got better nutrition and economy, they can easily hit 2, 000+ cals and easily surpass 60g of proteins daily. I think we got healthier foods, but our portions are too small. So to me nutrition is the main cause for failing to gain muscle in every underdeveloped countries in Latinamerica, Asia and Africa.