I saw a guy the other day who had skinny arms with very little bulge but huge veins across his biceps and shoulders (really impressive, the veins were as thick as a thumb). He could do several one arm pull-ups and push-ups (no rest!). I have two questions: How can so little muscle deliver so much power (he must be 180 lbs for 6ft 2 or 3)?
and What kind of training gives big veins instead of big biceps, i.e. why did the guy develop big veins instead of muscle mass?

By Bruce on Thursday, November 18, 1999 - 08:53 pm: Edit

Muscle size is determined by genetic factors such as muscle length, fiber density, skeletal proportion, metabolism. Some people have the genetic traits to get really big muscles and some don't. It is possible to work out real hard for years and only see minimal growth because you just don't have the genetics to get huge.

Maybe this guy doesn't care about the size of his arms and doesn't work them real heavy, or maybe they just ain't meant to be huge? Pull ups and push ups use other major muscle groups as well, so you don't necessarily need huge arms to do them. Skinny arms is a relative term. What may look skinny on 6'3" might look big on 5'3". There are many more possible explanations. Hard to give one correct answer without knowing more about this person.

Vein size is also a function of genetics. But you can enhance the look of your veins by reducing your body fat and lifting weights to make your muscles bigger. I've seen skinny guys, who I know don't lift weights, with veins you could drive a Mack truck through. I've been working out for years and you probably couldn't suck water through mine :-)

By Cptn Anabolic on Friday, November 19, 1999 - 02:45 pm: Edit

Another thing, some guys have massive arms, but are quite weak in comparison to the size. There are guys in the gym, my training partner for one, who lift more than me, but if it came to looking and judging the physique, my arms would win hands down, people use the weight that stimulates muscle mass for them.

By Anonymous ( - 205.188.199.139) on Wednesday, March 29, 2000 - 05:26 am: Edit

you dont know shit anyone can get big no matter if they have poor genetics or good genetics. its a matter of diet and exercise you dome ••••••

By Scott ( - 199.174.53.202) on Monday, April 03, 2000 - 12:45 am: Edit

"Dome"? It is "dumb" you stupid ass ••••••!

By Anonymous ( - 63.70.149.24) on Monday, April 03, 2000 - 10:09 pm: Edit

screw you u littly pussy b-itch ill bodyslam your pussy ass

By Anonymous ( - 129.110.75.63) on Thursday, June 08, 2000 - 06:16 am: Edit

shutup!! and quit bitchin'!!!!

By Anonymous ( - 212.252.1.11) on Saturday, October 21, 2000 - 06:09 am: Edit

what can be the reason of this sudden agression did u ever think about ? if u go on like that who cares if u r strong or good looking ? bitches ? assholes ?