This morning I was on campus and I ran into a guy who I've known for some time. He lives here in town and trains at the local Gold's.
Of course our discussion evolved to training and he made the comment that he is training "heavy" now so he is carrying "some extra" body fat.
By my guess, I'd say he was close to 20% at about 5'10" and 240ish. He was wearing a t-shirt and jeans so I cannot be more accurate in my guess. However, I'd seen him last summer and I can certainly say he was not less than 15-16% at that time.
Regardless, I asked him, "why do you need more body fat to train heavy?"
He answered by say "Well, I'm bulking and pushing more weight on my core lifts."
I answered, "Fat doesn't move weight. So how does being fatter help you bench or squat?"
His answer "You know, it's for power."
I answered "No. I don't know. Explain how being fatter gives you more power on your core lifts."
After verbally sparring with him for a while longer, he grew tired of it and finally acquiesced and said "You are right - fat doesn't life weight."
I left it at that as I could tell he got the point.
So, I wonder why is there such a lasting urban myth that being fat somehow betters one bench or squat or whatever and enables them to lift heavier.
Now, if one were training for "strong man" contests or playing offense line in football, I could see how being fatter would contribute those types of activities.
Sure a basic level of fat is necessary for cushioning and joint support in repetitive movement exercise but being fat is just not going to contribute beyond that.
I think I know the answer to my own question but I'll float it to the board just to prove a point.
Of course our discussion evolved to training and he made the comment that he is training "heavy" now so he is carrying "some extra" body fat.
By my guess, I'd say he was close to 20% at about 5'10" and 240ish. He was wearing a t-shirt and jeans so I cannot be more accurate in my guess. However, I'd seen him last summer and I can certainly say he was not less than 15-16% at that time.
Regardless, I asked him, "why do you need more body fat to train heavy?"
He answered by say "Well, I'm bulking and pushing more weight on my core lifts."
I answered, "Fat doesn't move weight. So how does being fatter help you bench or squat?"
His answer "You know, it's for power."
I answered "No. I don't know. Explain how being fatter gives you more power on your core lifts."
After verbally sparring with him for a while longer, he grew tired of it and finally acquiesced and said "You are right - fat doesn't life weight."
I left it at that as I could tell he got the point.
So, I wonder why is there such a lasting urban myth that being fat somehow betters one bench or squat or whatever and enables them to lift heavier.
Now, if one were training for "strong man" contests or playing offense line in football, I could see how being fatter would contribute those types of activities.
Sure a basic level of fat is necessary for cushioning and joint support in repetitive movement exercise but being fat is just not going to contribute beyond that.
I think I know the answer to my own question but I'll float it to the board just to prove a point.