Physical Size Vs. Strength

[Blacksheep]

I'm curious to get people's opinion about if physical size really matters out there on the job. Now I know it definately helps, but is it necessary to be a 6'5, 270lb hulking mass? Or is proportional stregnth and endurance more important?

I'm avg. height (5'11) but I have a small frame only 150. I have a very hard time gaining weight and therefore muscle mass is hard to come by.

Anyone have any recommendations how to improve? Anyone that is in or has been in the same situation ?


Thanks all, Be Safe

[bigz]

I don't think physical size is important at all. I'm 605 and 290 lbs. I was a former college football player although I'm not in the shape I used to be. I think physical size is a hinderance in some cases. Yes it helps in a fight, but in a foot pursuit forget about it. I think if your in good shape and practice good officer safety that is far more important than physical size.

Z

[Blacksheep]

Thanks Z- I hope you didn't take offense to that hulking mass line. Any suggestions for putting on size ?

[Ranger Dude]

Physical size does not equal strength. I prove that fact everyday in the gym. I'm relatively short (5' 7") and weigh in at 180lbs. Not only do I lift pretty good weight for my size as far as the main foundation exercises go: Bench, Squat, and Deadlift, but I usually lift more than guys that are bigger than me.

I believe that proportional strength and endurance are better for the job of LE. As bigz said in a foot pursuit size can be a disadvantage.

Now, I do believe that size has advantages as far as deterrence goes, but that is it.

Ranger

[Ranger Dude]

Originally posted by Blacksheep
Thanks Z- I hope you didn't take offense to that hulking mass line. Any suggestions for putting on size ?

The best way to put on size is to include foundation weight lifting as I stated above: Bench, Squat, and Deadlift. And take the weight gainer shakes. Up your caloric intake way above normal maintenance levels and lift the heavy weights. You will gain.

Ranger

[sarone]

Something that is taught in Defensive Tactics classes is that size and strenght sometimes if not most times is not the playing factor.

Speed, and usage of the tactics and how you apply them.

[Blacksheep]

Thanks folks for the info. I would have to agree with Ranger though it would definately be a deterrent in some circumstances.

[Tampa_#63]

I agree with the above posts. Size really does not matter in this job. It is how you conduct yourself that is the determining factor IMHO. Most of the time it's your verbal skills, along with the professional attitude and good officer safety techniques you display that will get you out of trouble or prevent trouble from occurring, not how big or small you are.

[K9 Police]

I agree 100% with Tampa!!!!

K9

[GREG]

Blacksheep,

I have been trying to put on weight also. I am 6'3" and weighed 190 three weeks ago. I am now up to 200. I am working out 5 days a week and running 3 miles 4 days a week and I am still making great gains, people have really started to notice. I have been eating 5 meals a day and two of the meals have been Isopure protein shake. The Isopure taste better than many shakes I've tried before. Be sure to get plenty of rest as well that will help your muscle growth. I have found some really good recipes at www.allrecipes.com that are fast and good (chicken,salmon and other things high in protien) Like the post before me it's better to perform better at a lower weight than to bulk up and not be agile.

Good luck

[Blacksheep]

Thanks again folks for the info! Greg where did you find the Isopure? I've used GNC Pro Performance and Gainers Fuel.
I don't think that I have the time nor the $$$ to eat 5 meals a day.

[BLACK BEARD]

I agree that size really does not matter that much. I have been with a Sheriff's Department for several years now. I found that most the times it's the 5'5, 150 pund guy/girl that wants to fight or resist rather than the 6'0, 200 pd suspect. I'm not saying the big guys never fight it just seems like I get more attitude form medium to small size suspects.

[GREG]

when I say 5 meals I mean

1. breakfast
2. protein shake
3. lunch
4. protein shake
5. dinner

Isopure can be purchased for about $29.00 at www.saveonsupplements.com I don't believe GNC carries it.

vanilla and chocolate are good

[CarpeIanBaby]

I actually have a question about bulking up...
Is it really necessary?
I mean, can you still build strength and muscle if you don't take big supplements? Or will you only just mildly tone what you have? And does the protein always become muscle? Is it possible for it to just turn to extra weight... even if you are working out?
I work out pretty regularly and I have gotten into good shape... but is my only hope of building some reputable muscles come from supplements?
These are just random questions... If I'm asking stupid questions then just tell me to shut up. ;) Thanks a lot!

[biggesto]

Muscle cells are basically protein and water. The only way to build muscle is to have an adequate supply of these two, especially protein, so that your body can build muscle tissue. No, you don't have to buy supplements. You can get the extra protein from food sources. Chicken, tuna, dairy products, and other foods can give you compelte proteins. however, the downside to that is that you end up eating all the time, having to fix foods, and in the long run, it is expensive and time consuming to try to get all you protein from food sources. Protein supplements are simply fast and easy ways to make sure you get enough protein so that your body has an adequate supply to build muscle.

I was 5'11, 135 pounds three years agao when I started an intense workout program and started taking protein. I'm now 5'11, 175. Nothing to brag about but protein supplements do work. Be careful of "weight gainers" because many of them are calories. Yes, you need calories, but balance that with protein.

I use HDT 5+1. It is 24g protein per shake and very few calories. Only $30 for 6 lbs at netrition.com

[CarpeIanBaby]

So you weight 40 pounds more now... is that definitive muscle mass that you have noticed? Or have you just kind of gotten heavier?
Again... just curious about this stuff... Thanks! :)

[biggesto]

It's muscle, for the most part. Waist size is still the same, chest, quads, arms, etc all got bigger. Keep working out but add some protein and you'll see changes.

[copboy]

Hey, I took Nitro tech for a while and noticed improvements. I got bigger but the problem was I went home for a vacation and lost all the mass. I am guessing that it just helped me put on water weight in my muscles. I looked bigger but lost it all after not working out for like a week and a half. Some of the officers at work noticed when I got back and asked me if I had gotten skinnier. I really got pissed. I am like 5'11 142 and have been trying to gain like crazy. I eat like four meals a day. Usually, like a small one before I go to sleep. I have been going to the gyme two days a week working everything and then also spending my other time on free weights I have. Doing bench, curls, lifts stuff like that. I also do my push ups and sit ups. I have had no problems getting cutt just problems building mass.

[Dennis]

I think diet is the most important aspect of training. Anyone can workout hard but not everyone eats right and you don't need supplements if you eat right. I eat all day long, every 2-3 hours. 4 eggwhites at 8:00, oatmeal at 10:00, 7 oz of tuna with salad at noon, another oatmeal at noon, apple at two, banana and oatmeal at 4, normal dinner at 6:30 usually chicken and vegetable. Strength training Mon, Wed, Fri and running on tues and thurs, sometimes saturday.

[di2maple]

In my opinion...as stated in the above posts if you conduct yourself with confidence on a scene and show that YOU are in control rather than the individual(s) and take into account officer safety skills your physical size won't be an issue. It's the officer that overlooks possible dangers and doesn't size up the situation properly that usually finds himself/herself in immediate danger. I am only 5'5'' 160 lbs and always make sure I use command presence and show that I am confident in my actions. I treat everyone with respect but am always mindful that any situation can turn deadly and that anyone can pose a significant threat. Rely on your training and trust your fellow officers. Anything can happen at anytime regardless of their size or yours. Stay safe.

[runiondd]

copboy, Nitro Tech contains Creatine, which does make your muscles "swell" due to water retention. Typically, when you stop taking creatine you will shrink back down again.

For the rest of you,

If you are interested here are some good links:

www.supplementwatch.com - Gives good unbiased info and cited research about different supplements.

www.nutritionexpress.com - is pretty good for ordering cheap supplements including protein bars/shakes.

[Cam]

I have a very hard time gaining weight. I'm 5'9 and around 168. I'm trying to get to 175. I get stronger and stronger and can lift almost 3 or 4x what I did when I started lifting but do not gain any weight. I take the protein sups, eat like a horse but no weight. The moral of this story is that a lot can be said about genetics. Some have it, some don't. I don't.

[WeldPuddle]

I don’t think there is really a perfect body type. If some one runs I want the officer that is 6’0 and 170 with me. But at the same time if you are in a small bed room with 2 people that want to fight I want the officer that is 6’2 and 230.backing me up. Not that the taller lighter officer would not do a good job but, certain body types are better for certain things. I am 5’6 and 200. I can run a mile in about 10min that is nothing to write home about and no one really cares if am there or not when there is a chase on foot. But, I bench 325lbs and do curl work outs with 60lbs dumbbells. So if the poo-poo hits the fan in an inclosed space everyone wants me there. I think you have to develop the body you were given. I work hard to keep in good cardio shape but that just not my body type. When I first started I always tried hard to loose weight and run faster. But no matter how hard I tried I only could get so far. So I quit comparing my self to others and starting getting my self in the best shape I could to do the job, and work on developing what my natural strong points were. My advice to you would be to work hard on getting stronger not “bigger”. And, if you have a light build there will be a lot of people stronger than you no matter how hard you try. But at the same time if you have a light build there might not be many people to out run you either. There are the people that are both fast and strong, but there is not as many of them as you would think. Most of us are fall in to one category or the other. The reason we work as a team is because on one person can’t do it all, we all bring our own strengths and weaknesses to the table. I would not concern my self with all of the supplements and such. Most of the time when you get in to a situation on the street its your attitude that dose the talking not your body. Sure if you are a total powder puff they will notice, but so long as you are in good shape it will most of the time go unnoticed. The main thing is that you need to fell strong and balanced because if you present you self a confident and in control the citizens you are dealing with will pick up on that. My grandfather told me once that his drill instructor in the marines was about 6inces shorter than him, but he all ways felt intimidated by him. If you really want to gain some mass I would suggest eating extra bread and meat than you usually would.Then just work out a lot. Lift heavy weights at low reps. Do that for 3 weeks than do a “speed week”. In your speed week do light weights lots of times. This give you balance. This will get you much stronger and will also help you build bulk. Just remember to always fight with your mind first.

[K9 Police]

I have recently started to take weight gainer shakes with tons of protein. Remarkably, I have seen results in less than two weeks. I am drinking a lot more water than ever before, and having more meals a day. I used to lift without doing this and did not see a lot of changes. For me, these supplements really work.

K9

[dwolfe11]

I took martial arts for about 7 years. I found that size always matters to some extent, no matter what anyone tells you. But a well-trained small man stands a much better chance of defending himself against a larger attacker. I've beaten guys who outweighed me by over a 100 pounds and I've gotten beat in Judo by a 15 year old kid when I was 22. He was ranked number one in the state and I didn't know too much about Judo. (I'm a Ju-Jitsu type myself) I guess the moral of my story is most of the time; being well trained can overcome the size differences. Just hope you don't run into a really big guy who knows what he's doing.:D

Just my opinion

[Sipowicz]

Geez, I feel like the tub o lard giant, although I (and others) am not looked at as horribly obese! My large frame helps carry the weight better. I'm one of those who was never really small. I was 6 foot tall and 220 pounds my senior year in high school, and arguably in the best shape ever (involved in basketball, baseball, etc.). I know I'll never be small. Just losing the gut would be good though! :D

Back on the size bit, I've seen many a small person with the strength of an ox. I've seen guys my size (6'0'' around 300) and bigger who couldn't hardly do a thing. I think the key is what has been mentioned previously, about how you handle yourself. This also includes physical confrontation, if it ever comes to that. Typically the "little" guy is quicker with "stingers", while the bigger guy is slower, but has more behind a blow than the smaller guy. I'd like to work on my quickness and be a big, quick guy. Maybe the best of both worlds? :p

BTW, "guy(s)" is a general statement, not intending to be gender specific. :D

[hopefulskeptic2]

I don't think size matters on the whole.
I think there's a fine line between having an air of authority and conveying the idea of meaning what you say versus having an attitude that antagonizes and incites people (which I actually don't think is all that common, btw) and if you can find that balance you're more often likely to talk a situation out.
As I was reading the posts, for some weird reason I was thinking that with snakes and scorpions and such it's the speed and potency of the venom. As far as size, they look pretty harmless. You could maybe extrapolate that to people.