How is Max King so muscular?

Regardless of misinterpreting the science involved I have seen countless examples and the most fit, muscular, and cut athletes are those who sprint and/or weight lift. If a distance runner is cut then that is a genetic outlier not the norm. I've trained hundreds of people in many different ways. If you want to get cut and lean you don't do endless hours of cardio. You sprint and lift. I know the biochemists and hardcore runners will have a field day but they are not speaking from a wealth of experience. I know what works because I have trained people for a living and have tried every trick in the book. 9 times out of 10 the exerciser simply is unable to do the amount of cardio volume needed to get the desired physical appearance. 60-90 minutes on the hamster wheel with an

increased injury potential? Or 45-60 mins lifting and/or sprinting? I know which route I would suggest.

Alan

Also, is cortisol bad? No. But the increased cortisol release caused by excessive training is as one byproduct of excessive cortisol release is increased fat storage. Increasing testosterone will result in increased lean muscle and decreased fat...sooooo....

Sprints and weight lift 45-60 min a day to increase lean mass and decrease fat.

Alan

Yeah, this is why I hate saying anything. I agree with you, Alan, to get "cut", sprints and weight lifting is the way to go. Weights I would say especially, but also high intensity - you are likely a believer in HIIT, as you should be. I think there are a variety of reasons for this, which I'm not going to get into. The cortisol thing I still don't agree with you on.

Genes wrote:

I had a Bulgarian friend who barely ever lifted, perhaps once a month, and he was ripped to shreds in high school. Abs, arms, quads, you name it. Strong as an ox.

Some people just have it....sorry you aren't one of them.

hey wrote:

First of all, major props to Max King for holding a 6:14 average pace of 100k. Truly incredible.

But how is he so muscular? I looked up some photos of him and the size of his biceps and quadriceps are tremendous for someone who can run like he does. I know I'm predisposed to think distance runners all should be frail little ghosts because of what the world's elite look like, but what is this guy on? Do ultra guys build more muscle than marathon guys?

This. I'm not one either, it took me a lot of focus on exactly the type of training Alan suggests after college running to put on even a little upper body muscle.

He's always been pretty muscular. He came to running from a wrestling background. Here is a shot of him back when he was a 9th or 10th grader (#28).

https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10703700_10203813897962745_145361290711378516_n.jpg?oh=b78502bee222d0e398b84a0160a888ae&oe=54D72F28

pre841 wrote:

He's always been pretty muscular. He came to running from a wrestling background. Here is a shot of him back when he was a 9th or 10th grader (#28).

https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10703700_10203813897962745_145361290711378516_n.jpg?oh=b78502bee222d0e398b84a0160a888ae&oe=54D72F28

ew

I think it is the xx ACTN3 gene combined with atleast 1 l allele in ACE. It doesnt make a big difference in endurance running, but in kayakers and xc-skiers it does.

I have asked myself why and I belive it makes it possible to build mucle mass without loosing much endurance. Fast twitch llb makes the capilarity density smaller, but actn3 xx doesnt have very functional llb fibers. It is only a theory I have and I am a nurse

Lol! "National 10k snowshoe championships"

There have been several muscular ultra runners in the past although I admit that I do not remember their names. Ultras are more about being tough than fast.

David Goggins and Dave Mackey.