bodybuilding and “the pump”: am i missing something?
Hi everyone!
Been a long time since a posted a blog so now that things are not as hectic now that the new year is over i though it’d be a good time to post one.
Today i want to talk about a phenomena nearly everyone on this site would be aware of, that being "the pump"
The pump is something everyone who bodybuilds will talk about at some point or another. Some bodybuilders go to the gym specifically to get a pump, some bodybuilders live and die for the pump, hell, some even talk about a pump like its some sort of orgasmic experience!
Am i missing something here?
Never in my life have i been interested in the pump to be honest. Now i am fully aware of the studies about blood volume training ect, many bodybuilders live by this rational, and thats fine. Hey, whatever works for you is my philosophy! But me, its never been my focus in the gym. I focus on strength, pure strength. In essence, i go to the gym to get as strong as i am able. The reason for this is because i know if i am getting stronger, i am getting bigger. I mean, has anyone heard of reduced muscle size whilst getting mass strength gains? I haven’t.
Maybe its my powerlifting background coming out but i think about it like this: Both a powerlifter and a bodybuilder can be big. The difference? you will not find a powerlifter who is not strong, yet on the flipside, I have seen many bodybuilders lifting pitiful weights. Many elite bodybuilders figures are rather pathetic i must say
Now this is not to say that there are not some stong bodybuilders, because there are. Guys like Ronnie Coleman, Johnie Jackson and Branch Warren are some of the strongest men around. It interesting to note though that Jackson and Coleman, perhaps the two strongest bodybuilders alive, are converted powerlifers. Coincidence? Maybe
I guess what i am saying is that the pump is no point of interest to me. Lifting a light weight for a bicep curl until its engorged with blood has never stimulated growth in my body, rather, I get good growth out of intense, super heavy rep in about the range of 4-7.
People speak about the pump in bodybuilding terms like its of vital importance, but to be honest, i dont see the appeal
Am i missing something?
The good doctor
January 7, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Shape is more important than function. You cannot expect to continually improve muscle shape and fullness when you’re constantly slamming the heaviest iron possible. The muscle bellies of the smaller bodyparts can’t take it and will stop growing in most people unless you have huge joints and huge tendon attachments that will accept that sort of treatment.
Muscle fullness is more important than muscle power.