Beyond-Brawn-2nd-Edition

EXPECTATIONS—HOW MUCH MUSCLE AND MIGHT YOU CAN EXPECT…
Classification for hard-gaining men aged 25–35
4.64 Bodyweight: 120 lbs 150 lbs 180 lbs 210 lbs
Very Good 700 lbs 850 lbs 1,025 lbs 1,200 lbs
Terrific 775 lbs 950 lbs 1,150 lbs 1,325 lbs
Outstanding 875 lbs 1,075 lbs 1,300 lbs 1,500 lbs
4.65 Remember that these poundages are totals of three single/one-rep lifts—
squat, bench press and deadlift—done with no support gear other than a
belt. But you do not have to actually perform maximum singles to compare yourself
with these figures. Using the appropriate chart you can “translate” a multiple-rep
maximum-effort set into a projected maximum single, as explained
later in this chapter.
4.66 e degree of attainment of each category has been divided into three levels—very
good, terrific and outstanding. ese category titles describe drugfree
and genetically typical people. ey are not to be confused with how the
same adjectives are used with regard to the competitive elite who, of course,
have much higher criteria.
4.67 For our purposes, “very good” means you are closing in on the 300–400–
500 standard relative to bodyweight. “Terrific” means you have reached the
300–400–500 standard relative to bodyweight, and will be starting to stand
out in almost any gym if you ignore the drug users. (e 300–400–500
figures are based on the prototypical, experienced and successful hard gainer
who weighs about 190 pounds and is around age 30, at about 5'9" height.)
“Outstanding” means you have significantly exceeded the 300–400–500
standard relative to bodyweight.
4.68 For a genetically typical and drug-free person not limited by health, to get
to the “very good” level (relative to bodyweight, age and gender) is very challenging,
but realistic; to get to the “terrific” level is harder but a definite possibility
for the highly motivated and well trained, though rare; but to make
it to the “outstanding” level is extraordinarily rare.
4.69 For a drug-free and genetically disadvantaged person to get to the “very
good” level is even more challenging than it is for a genetically typical bodybuilder;
to get to the “terrific” level is extraordinarily rare indeed; but to get
to the “outstanding” level is miraculous.
4.70 e leaner you are, the better you will compare with the figures. If you are
200 pounds with 25% bodyfat you will be far weaker than if you were 200
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