“Everyone has a different genotype. Therefore, for optimal development, everyone should have a different environment.”—Dr. James M. Tanner
For years, Da Vinci’s “Vitruvian man” was the model for the perfect human physique. “In 1925, an average elite volleyball player and discus thrower were the same size, as were a world-class high jumper and shot putter” (David Epstein, The Sports Gene). Today, the average elite shot putter is now 2.5 inches taller and 130 pounds heavier than the average international high jumper. Why? Epstein suggests that it is the because “winner-take-all” markets of sports of the early twentieth century began to favor more rare and highly specialized bodies that promoted greater success. Today, we see a wide spectrum of “athletic” bodies—except when it comes to the media we are fed on a regular basis (and the models used to demonstrate “fitness”). Recently, Sports Illustrated did an excellent photo piece that supported the diversity of the athletic body.
Just as athletes are different, so are non-athletes and range of healthy adults and children. So, if we are all so different, why do we feel the need to train the same? As a professor of exercise science, I teach the basic guidelines, but I caution my students to use them cautiously. All exercise must be individualized.
Why, then, do we see lists of the “[insert number] exercises every one must (not) do”, “[insert number] steps to losing fat”, “[insert number] steps to gaining muscle”, etc.? Because fitness is as much about marketing (unfortunately) as it is about physiology. Bottom line? Do what works for you. Work within the blessings and short-comings of your genotype to be the best you can be. Don’t use the success of another to gauge your personal success. Consider personal progress to be your measure of success. I emphasize “be your best today; be better tomorrow” for a reason. Your best is not your neighbor’s best. You are not purposed to be anyone but you.
I have written before about the concept of responders and non-responders to exercise. As well, we all start at different levels and have different genetic potentials (e.g., “ceilings”). So, if your hard work isn’t paying off, don’t blame yourself and don’t blame the program. Alter your course. Reevaluate your goals. Train smart and train effectively.
Carpe momento!
For fun, here is a link to JP Sears’ “Seven (and a half) Secrets to Shredded Abs”: