Do I have a genetic advantage or is it something else?

my arms have responded very well to weight training in fact they started to look a little crazy even though I never lift anything past 5kg each arm! I haven’t gone higher on them as they don’t match the other bits of me quite yet! I have lipodema in my legs so I focus more on those than upper body which seems to be pretty easy for me so I assume genetics and also hormones in different ways.

Interesting chat as my oldest DD looks the opposite is very petite the prom pictures she looked tiny 5ft next to her peers but boy is she super strong a competitive gymnast lifts heavy weights but it not obvious. Her dad is an ultra runner no body fat naturally small but really strong and fast runner. I love seeing the role genetics play. DD wanted to be a competitive swimmer but it was very obvious by age 9/10 lining up on the blocks all the other swimmers were already a head bigger so she had to switch sports.

I am the opposite, tiny body frame, low body fat (so you should be able to see muscle), I have been lifting close to failure and eating lots of protein for nearly a year and my muscle gains are pretty small. I am also taking testosterone as part of hrt so that is not to blame. I think it must be largely genetics and muscle memory from when you were younger.

Yes absolutely. I put on muscle very easily, while DH really struggles. He is built like a giraffe and can run like a cheetah, but building muscles - no. Also true about body composition, I have always weighed more than I look.

My teenage gym obsessed son calls this ‘newbie gains’

I'm envious! I feel a huge difference when I weight train but it barely shows. Toned back and arms are just a dream to me. Enjoy them!

Genetics, elevated T. I have pretty good bicep muscles for someone who only lifts a remote control and I have elevated testosterone levels.

The middle! Always taller and broader than everyone else

This is me age 12, next to 4 other girls in the same year

Yep. We all have it. Just some have higher levels than others, and often have larger frames or build muscle easily as a result. I’m the opposite end of the scale. I’m slight and wiry, and it’s annoying because I lift a lot and am strong, just have stringy muscles to show for it.

Same here. Except I've always been overweight, not massively but definitely and always, despite having a good diet and being quite active from childhood.

I would make a great Olympic weight lifter / shot putter / javelin thrower (preens 😁). You know the type, strong and fat!

I'm also heavier than I look. DC and DN are the same (but luckily not overweight).

I do have massively strong and big legs - which I really don't mind now in my 50s but was a bit self conscious of when young. I don't think I look masculine, just strong.

All the above are right (past muscle returning, genetics). If you're feeling more toned probably you are also carrying yourself differently, maybe wearing different outfits, which may be part of the effect.

Btw having a higher level than normal
testosterone level is more likely than not a good thing. Your testosterone levels will decline when you hit peri-meno / meno. If you have high / optimal levels to begin with then chance are you won’t feel the difficult side-effects some women do.

I have very toned/muscular arms.
I am tall and lean and a runner.
It's surely my genetics but I also do a lot of sport.
I'm 53 and just reached menopause.

When I was a child, I noticed the difference in body-types and muscle definition between the children who were fast runners and swimmers and those who weren't. Children who were naturally good at sport were built different.

I am not a natural sports-person, and therefore have none of the lovely physical attributes that go with it. I do have a big, muscly behind (glad it is now more in fashion) but even after years of running, cycling and swimming, my overall visible muscle definition remains unimpressive. You have to feel my muscles to "see" them.

My siblings, cousins and aunts are built the same way. Interestingly, as soon as any of them gives up regular exercise, they very quickly become overweight.

You likely have higher testosterone levels.

Yes this is me too, I also trained in dance for many years. I wonder if it’s a combo of body type and muscle memory type scenario?
If I work out I become very muscular, and like another poster I’m careful on shoulder and back stuff because I develop a big weightlifter look in that area. I’m weirdly strong without the gym and I’m also dead heavy for my size. I can’t relate to things online where it always says it takes women ages to build muscle.

Yeah, there's a lot to this

I have naturally great swimmer's shoulders... Even though I'm a bloody awful swimmer

I think people underestimate the power of body type with regards to exercise

Yep, @tartancladpjs, at some points I had a massive BMI while being very slim & toned. (Now I just have a middling BMI and look like a sack of lard. Them's the breaks 😏)

I'm like you OP currently not as I need to get back to training and loose about 8kg but within a week or two I can see defined muscles and I did have to ease up on shoulder work as I did get overly large traps.

Not sure about you but I also weigh much more than I look, and have since a baby.

My DS is the same, your go to lift him up as a toddler and he'd weigh a ton and is ripped, with little training.

I gained muscle, tone and definition very easily until the menopause. It was great. I have PCOS. Not saying you have it, OP - as others have said, you might just have muscular genes! Although my T levels and, more importantly, difference between E and T were nowhere near a male profile, my consultant told me the effects can be quite noticeable by comparison with an average woman.

Genetics for sure. I'm the opposite to you - always quite slim (my mother is the same) and really have to try hard to add visible muscle. My strength/fitness will increase, but limited visible difference to my puny muscles 😂