Veteran Thread Do 'hardgainers' really exist?

[Mobster]

I'm a huge fan of writer Stuart McRobert and Stuart made his reputation via his series of books (the Brawn series are standouts) and his Hardgainer magazine. I have a load in my huge Physical Culture collection. Even Stuart pointed out that it was less than likely most of his target audience were actually struggling to gain muscle but were both far more likely to be under eating and over training. A lot of so-called hardgainers also tend to be ectomorphs, the worrying kind of personality and so on.

One BIG issue is that some call themselves hardgainers because they only gain average amounts compared to those on PEDs and or with great genetics. I've written that I only gained 3lbs or so per year off cycle and 6lbs on cycle. 3-4lbs per year is perfectly average. So it's less that someone is an actual hardgainer but just plain wrong but, instead, a perfectly average gainer.

The ecto bodytype does better with Stu's 'brief, basic and brutal' style of training. Far too many need simply to EAT more! And finally, there's one more thing that holds some back, it's the issue I see often with those that bulk, freak out that they've gained a tiny bit of bodyfat and HAVE to cut just cos. It goes around in circles.

 

[Npcclassicphysique champ]

I'm a huge fan of writer Stuart McRobert and Stuart made his reputation via his series of books (the Brawn series are standouts) and his Hardgainer magazine. I have a load in my huge Physical Culture collection. Even Stuart pointed out that it was less than likely most of his target audience were actually struggling to gain muscle but were both far more likely to be under eating and over training. A lot of so-called hardgainers also tend to be ectomorphs, the worrying kind of personality and so on.

One BIG issue is that some call themselves hardgainers because they only gain average amounts compared to those on PEDs and or with great genetics. I've written that I only gained 3lbs or so per year off cycle and 6lbs on cycle. 3-4lbs per year is perfectly average. So it's less that someone is an actual hardgainer but just plain wrong but, instead, a perfectly average gainer.

The ecto bodytype does better with Stu's 'brief, basic and brutal' style of training. Far too many need simply to EAT more! And finally, there's one more thing that holds some back, it's the issue I see often with those that bulk, freak out that they've gained a tiny bit of bodyfat and HAVE to cut just cos. It goes around in circles.

@Mobster I do think there is such a thing as a hard gainer. Guys who eat eat eat but can't gain mass, they do just need to eat more in the end of the day. I've had hard gainers on high protein 300-400 grams and I saw a huge improvement.

 

[s.gentz]

I'm a huge fan of writer Stuart McRobert and Stuart made his reputation via his series of books (the Brawn series are standouts) and his Hardgainer magazine. I have a load in my huge Physical Culture collection. Even Stuart pointed out that it was less than likely most of his target audience were actually struggling to gain muscle but were both far more likely to be under eating and over training. A lot of so-called hardgainers also tend to be ectomorphs, the worrying kind of personality and so on.

One BIG issue is that some call themselves hardgainers because they only gain average amounts compared to those on PEDs and or with great genetics. I've written that I only gained 3lbs or so per year off cycle and 6lbs on cycle. 3-4lbs per year is perfectly average. So it's less that someone is an actual hardgainer but just plain wrong but, instead, a perfectly average gainer.

The ecto bodytype does better with Stu's 'brief, basic and brutal' style of training. Far too many need simply to EAT more! And finally, there's one more thing that holds some back, it's the issue I see often with those that bulk, freak out that they've gained a tiny bit of bodyfat and HAVE to cut just cos. It goes around in circles.

Anyone can gain if they eat enough and find the right style of training for them. They also need to actually put in the work for an extended period. I think a lot of people train for 3-6 months and don't see the results they want so they label themselves "hardgainers" and don't do what it takes to progress.

 

[VIALINFO]

I'm a huge fan of writer Stuart McRobert and Stuart made his reputation via his series of books (the Brawn series are standouts) and his Hardgainer magazine. I have a load in my huge Physical Culture collection. Even Stuart pointed out that it was less than likely most of his target audience were actually struggling to gain muscle but were both far more likely to be under eating and over training. A lot of so-called hardgainers also tend to be ectomorphs, the worrying kind of personality and so on.

One BIG issue is that some call themselves hardgainers because they only gain average amounts compared to those on PEDs and or with great genetics. I've written that I only gained 3lbs or so per year off cycle and 6lbs on cycle. 3-4lbs per year is perfectly average. So it's less that someone is an actual hardgainer but just plain wrong but, instead, a perfectly average gainer.

The ecto bodytype does better with Stu's 'brief, basic and brutal' style of training. Far too many need simply to EAT more! And finally, there's one more thing that holds some back, it's the issue I see often with those that bulk, freak out that they've gained a tiny bit of bodyfat and HAVE to cut just cos. It goes around in circles.

Liquid caliores

 

[Mobster]

@Mobster I do think there is such a thing as a hard gainer. Guys who eat eat eat but can't gain mass, they do just need to eat more in the end of the day. I've had hard gainers on high protein 300-400 grams and I saw a huge improvement.

You literally made my argument for me. If they'd have eaten more they'd grow. That's true of ALL types. You wont grow, regardless of genetics, if you don't eat enough.

How often do we see members on some forums claim 'I eat all day'? It's been studied. They over guess what they eat. When, as you say, you had them eat more - they grew.

 

[LevButlerov]

I'm a huge fan of writer Stuart McRobert and Stuart made his reputation via his series of books (the Brawn series are standouts) and his Hardgainer magazine. I have a load in my huge Physical Culture collection. Even Stuart pointed out that it was less than likely most of his target audience were actually struggling to gain muscle but were both far more likely to be under eating and over training. A lot of so-called hardgainers also tend to be ectomorphs, the worrying kind of personality and so on.

One BIG issue is that some call themselves hardgainers because they only gain average amounts compared to those on PEDs and or with great genetics. I've written that I only gained 3lbs or so per year off cycle and 6lbs on cycle. 3-4lbs per year is perfectly average. So it's less that someone is an actual hardgainer but just plain wrong but, instead, a perfectly average gainer.

The ecto bodytype does better with Stu's 'brief, basic and brutal' style of training. Far too many need simply to EAT more! And finally, there's one more thing that holds some back, it's the issue I see often with those that bulk, freak out that they've gained a tiny bit of bodyfat and HAVE to cut just cos. It goes around in circles.

@Mobster its the oldschol saying the more you eat the more you grow, works for bodybuilding always or any sport for that matter.

Well put @Mobster, and love the last podcast you guys did on 2024 rehash of orals.

 

[Mobster]

Anyone can gain if they eat enough and find the right style of training for them. They also need to actually put in the work for an extended period. I think a lot of people train for 3-6 months and don't see the results they want so they label themselves "hardgainers" and don't do what it takes to progress.

True and often overate how hard they think they train etc

 

[stevesmi]

people always want the opposite in life if they're skinny they want to be big if they're big they want to be skinny

to me being a hard gainer is an advantage. it allows you more room to grow while staying lean. most all pro bodybuilders used to be hard gainer types who reacted incredibly well to food, steroids and training, while others were always the big jocks

 

[BodyMonster34]

bro my cousin a hard gainer. he don't eat enough beef that his issue

 

[Quadsweep]

a lot of people have a hard time putting on muscle mass. it just depends

 

[JasonPriest]

yes I never understood the hard Gainer thing anyway if you're skinny that means that you can build up some more muscle and get some good abs

 

[Noah Wixx]

Getting lean is always harder for me to do as I've always been a broad and stocky person.

 

[ballin2504]

I think it just an excuse for people who don’t want to eat/train right

 

[25homes]

I believe so

 

[Masonic Bodybuilder]

There are so many factors to results and add to that, everyone is different and responds differently. That is why guys can run the exact same cycle but have very different results. Diet, training, genetics, etc.

 

[Tiger Salman Khan]

I'm a huge fan of writer Stuart McRobert and Stuart made his reputation via his series of books (the Brawn series are standouts) and his Hardgainer magazine. I have a load in my huge Physical Culture collection. Even Stuart pointed out that it was less than likely most of his target audience were actually struggling to gain muscle but were both far more likely to be under eating and over training. A lot of so-called hardgainers also tend to be ectomorphs, the worrying kind of personality and so on.

One BIG issue is that some call themselves hardgainers because they only gain average amounts compared to those on PEDs and or with great genetics. I've written that I only gained 3lbs or so per year off cycle and 6lbs on cycle. 3-4lbs per year is perfectly average. So it's less that someone is an actual hardgainer but just plain wrong but, instead, a perfectly average gainer.

The ecto bodytype does better with Stu's 'brief, basic and brutal' style of training. Far too many need simply to EAT more! And finally, there's one more thing that holds some back, it's the issue I see often with those that bulk, freak out that they've gained a tiny bit of bodyfat and HAVE to cut just cos. It goes around in circles.

@Mobster Good post mobster......

 

[Noah Wixx]

I think people just do alot of things wrong with fitness, wrong food choices, not eating enough protein, fats and carbs and utilizing a subpar training program, along with no goals set or truly learning about how to train correctly and recover correctly.

 

[RoidRage69]

If you want to grow you have to eat big and train bigger. Most of the logs on this board people are not lifting hard and heavy enough. You can’t get big lifting weights like a girl.

 

[Noah Wixx]

If you want to grow you have to eat big and train bigger. Most of the logs on this board people are not lifting hard and heavy enough. You can’t get big lifting weights like a girl.

I'm taking this personal because I train at planet fitness jk

 

[RoidRage69]

I'm taking this personal because I train at planet fitness jk

I thought it was called Planet Fatness.

 

[Noah Wixx]

I thought it was called Planet Fatness.

You aren't wrong lol

 

[Mobster]

If you want to grow you have to eat big and train bigger. Most of the logs on this board people are not lifting hard and heavy enough. You can’t get big lifting weights like a girl.

I have to remind myself that not everyone wants to be 280+lbs

 

[RoidRage69]

I have to remind myself that not everyone wants to be 280+lbs

Well I come to this conclusion by looking at the dosages of PED’s in peoples logs. I think most people would love to become a mass monster but they accept that they won’t so they use that as an excuse to train without high intensity.

They don’t need to use PED’s at all if they don’t want to get huge. I can go completely natural and get insanely big and strong because I make sacrifices and am willing to dedicate myself to doing so.

It doesn’t matter how good your diet or how big your PED stack is. What matters the most is what happens in the gym. The diet and rest and PED use is the easy part. The training is what separates the men from the boys.

 

[Mobster]

Well I come to this conclusion by looking at the dosages of PED’s in peoples logs. I think most people would love to become a mass monster but they accept that they won’t so they use that as an excuse to train without high intensity.

They don’t need to use PED’s at all if they don’t want to get huge. I can go completely natural and get insanely big and strong because I make sacrifices and am willing to dedicate myself to doing so.

It doesn’t matter how good your diet or how big your PED stack is. What matters the most is what happens in the gym. The diet and rest and PED use is the easy part. The training is what separates the men from the boys.

I kinda agree. Comments like 'I dont want to get too big' when that almost never happens. I'd argue that very few, if they COULD get big would go ' oh yeah... 200lbs is enough'.

 

[LevButlerov]

I kinda agree. Comments like 'I dont want to get too big' when that almost never happens. I'd argue that very few, if they COULD get big would go ' oh yeah... 200lbs is enough'.

@Mobster everyone wants to be big and ripped for sure.

Well I come to this conclusion by looking at the dosages of PED’s in peoples logs. I think most people would love to become a mass monster but they accept that they won’t so they use that as an excuse to train without high intensity.

They don’t need to use PED’s at all if they don’t want to get huge. I can go completely natural and get insanely big and strong because I make sacrifices and am willing to dedicate myself to doing so.

It doesn’t matter how good your diet or how big your PED stack is. What matters the most is what happens in the gym. The diet and rest and PED use is the easy part. The training is what separates the men from the boys.

@RoidRage69 well put, not everyone has genetics. Most have to train hard, gear up hard and diet hard to get the goals.