Thread: Few random questions.

I got aload of questions that puzzle me some are probably stupid but nether the less just wondered the answers, and what makes others think. In my job I'm customer based and see alot of people up close all shapes and sizes so here goes.

1. Has anyone developed stretch marks? Seen customers working out for a short while one about two months and his arms, chest and legs were covered in bad stretch marks. How common are they?

2. Do African people seem to gain quicker? Got a handful of African customers who work out they seem to gain so quick, is it cause the skins darker? Like fake tan making you look better?

3. I tend to use pre-workouts for nearly every workout, how many other people do also?is it a bad thing?

4. How come some music just sets you up for a good pump? Romper stomper by transplants came on the I pod and just set me off. Then it went to r and b and I felt slowed down. Rancid came at the end of the workout and picked me up again.

5. How come my chest always seems to get the best pump in my workouts?

6. If stretch marks are common is it worth constantly putting lotion on to help avoid it?

That's all I can think of for now, no doubt I'll think of more. Be interesting to see if anyone can clear them up. The stretch mark thing worries me due to tattoo's getting ruined.

Alright Matt. I can't answer all your questions, but i'll give you my personal experiences
Stretch marks differ from person to person. Some people are more prone to them than others. It's when the skin doesn't grow and stretch at the same rate as the muscle/fat underneath. You'll be aware of stretch marks from pregnancy! It's the same when adding muscle. I have a few around my rear delts and triceps, so I tend to use a moisturiser to keep my skin supple. Bio oil or baby oil are good.
I don't use a pre-work out every session, just when I need an added boost, but I also like to use on chest and arms as I can see the pump more. I find that the more I have the more tolerant I get, so they are not as effective and I need more scoops to get the same effect. This means that I am consuming more caffeine and chemicals than is probably good for me!
Not sure about the chest pumps. Is this your most developed muscle? If so, this could be why you can see and feel it more. Maybe try some FST7, 21's or drop sets to failure on your arms to get that extra blood in your muscles.

Sorry can't answer no.2, it may be due to muscle tissue density, which is why you do not see many Afro/Carribean swimmers in competion? I'm sure there's some on here that have an answer.

I agree with Andy; my answers would have been:

1. Depends on how quickly you gain muscle, if you a hardgainer (like me) your prob going to be ok as muscle development is relatively slow so skin has time to stretch. However if you have genetics which mean muscle just piles on you may experience stretch marks as you pack on the bulk. My mate has great genetics and grows just by looking at weights but now has serious stretch marks under armpits and around biceps. If you worried about them moistureise with a good vit e cream.

2. I once heard someone say if your going to be a pro bodybuilding you need to be black or german! I think it's there genetic makeup (dense boned/dense fast-twitched muscle) which means makes it easier to gain muscle.

3. As above the effectiveness of a preworkout supp reduces over time as your body develops a tolerance to the stimulants over time. I've been on mine for a month now and decided to come off it as there is nowhere near the effect as when I began taking it.

4. Training is often more in the mind than the muscle. Sometimes when you think you can't lift anymore it's the mind saying this rather than the physical capability of the muscle. Therefore the more stimulated the mind to push beyond the perceived failure point the better

5. Maybe you have good chest development so feel it more than other muscles. Te chest is a big muscle group and is fully visable to your eye rather than other muscle groups eg back which you can only see in the mirror.

6. Vitamin E or any moisturiser will help prevent stretch marks.

I used every oil under the sun when I started to see stretch marks around my armpitts and biceps. Nothing stopped it. My doctor said " you either have stretchy skin or you don't" you have to ponder and decide. Big guns or Girly soft perfect skin? Anyway they have faded now and I'm not even bothered. Hope this helped. Oh and I'd say you need to be Russian black or german lol.

Well I don't gain easy so stretch marks won't be a problem, was just worried about tattoos gettin messed up. Cheers for the replys

Unfortunately stretch marks cant be stopped...using bio oil will help prevent them though!
Africans tend to have a higher about of fast twitch muscle fibres which is generally why they will gain quicker!

1. Stretch markls are part and parcel mate.

2. Genetic make-ups differ across the spectrum. Look at Jay Cutler as an example of caucasian 'beef' lol

3. Not a good thing. You will develop a tolerance to the caffeine and end up taking more product for less effect - costing you a fortune! Use for your hardest workouts, or simply when you need a 'kick'.

4. Music is simply a great motivational mood-setting tool.

5. Maybe your best form is saved for your chest, thus hitting the muscle as it needs to be hit!

6. Bio-oil is supposed to be top-notch for stretch marks, but I don't think anything is proven. Most fade with time.

I have been using bio oil for a while...my stretch marks are definitely still 100% here but have faded slightly!