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

[jerkorperk]

I have been working out and strength training for just 3 weeks.

I look a lot different already. And my arms are noticeably muscular after this time

I have always been naturally muscular, to some degree. I use to dance and have a lot of leg muscle/find leg exercises easy

But I've never really worked my arms at all. And after 3 weeks, I can see a difference. And so can someone I know who noticed and told me so (they aren't a compliment giver!)

Am I genetically predisposed to easily gaining muscle? I remembering watching a programme many years ago about a male swimmer who seemed to be genetically gifted because of body type and ability to recover muscle much faster

This is not a brag post. I am just a hit surprised at how fast the changes have come on.

I ideally don't want to look too bulky but seem to lift weights and develop muscle overnight. It isn't something I'm particularly fond of as it doesn't look 'feminine'

My son is 7 and shredded. Odd phrase to use but he has a lot of muscle and is in perfect shape with a lot more visible strength than most children

@spikeandbuffy what girl are you? You have lovely nails by the way!

The middle! Always taller and broader than everyone else

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

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!

My teenage gym obsessed son calls this ‘newbie gains’

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.

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.

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.

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.