Bodybuilding IQ (Intelligence Quotient) is not a common term, but I am using it to refer to a bodybuilder’s ability to know how to train optimally for best results in relationship to their own genetic potential. Bodybuilding IQ is not just a matter of a lot of mental knowledge about anatomy, physiology, and various bodybuilding techniques and routines. This type of knowledge can be a part of bodybuilding IQ, but only in terms of how well it translates into effective training.
A bodybuilder with very poor genetic potential may need a very high bodybuilding IQ to obtain what may seem like minimal results. On the other hand, a bodybuilder with fantastic genetic potential may experience what appears to be great results, but still fall far short of their genetic potential due to inferior training. Bodybuilding IQ refers to being able to get the most out of your training in light of your potential.
It is possible for a bodybuilder to know every type of training style in existence from the low volume high intensity training that Mike Mentzer did, to the extremely high volume training that Serge Nubret did. A bodybuilder may also know all of the science and physiology behind how to train. If this knowledge helps him maximize his genetic potential through optimum training, then all of his knowledge is contributing to his bodybuilding IQ. However, if that same bodybuilder can’t figure out how to apply all of that information in a way that brings about the greatest result for their own body, their mental knowledge is not leading to a high bodybuilding IQ in terms of training.
It’s also possible that a bodybuilder has very little information on how to train, yet he develops a sense and a feel for how to train that produces optimum results for his genetic capacity. In spite of his lack of mental knowledge or lack of ability to articulate his training methodology, he still has a high bodybuilding IQ in regard to training.
Measuring Bodybuilding IQ
The main problem with the term, bodybuilding IQ, is that it is hard to measure. This is because genetic potential is hard to measure, so it’s hard to know how close a person has come to reaching their genetic potential through smart training. Even so, there are a few factors that I believe indicate a high bodybuilding IQ. One factor is consistent results over a long period of time. Many genetic wonders develop very quickly, but few can make consistent improvements over a long time period, and even fewer can do it without steroids.
Traits of High Bodybuilding IQ
Another factor to consider is whether or not they know how to reproduce the results they achieved in others who they are advising, however, this is not foolproof evidence of bodybuilding IQ. Some successful bodybuilders and coaches know how to attract talent and they also know how to spot it. If they give training advice to a community of bodybuilders who have great genetics, then they will appear to very smart about how to train whether they give great advice or not.
Given these factors, I will point to some bodybuilders that I believe had, or have a high bodybuilding IQ. In the last article I featured Bill Pearl as he made consistent improvements for decades without steroids or much nutritional supplementation. Not only that, he trained other champions. In this article, I am going to feature other bodybuilders including Leroy Colbert, Vince Gironda, Brad Schoenfield, and Phil Heath.
Leroy Colbert
Leroy Colbert was the first bodybuilder to develop 21 inch arms before steroids were used to build muscle. How much of his success came as a result of good training as opposed to good genetics? You can’t really measure genetics, but I believe he had a combination of great genetics and great training.
Leroy started bodybuilding at the age of eleven. He had been taught that the perfect number of sets for each body part was three sets and doing any more than that would be counterproductive. At one point Leroy got up the courage to do more than three sets and found that his muscles did not wither away. He eventually did as many as 18 sets for both his biceps and triceps. Little by little he kept making progress until his arms reached a measurement of 21 inches in his early twenties. Leroy often talked about the need to have the right “feel,” and the right “instinct” for how to train. He claims he just knew by instinct how hard to train, how long to train, and how long to wait before he trained again, and he credits much of his success to that instinct.
Leroy was convinced that many bodybuilders either trained too long or too short, too often or not often enough, and they made the mistake of straining instead of training. He definitely is not a fan of the modern high intensity training to failure trend when it comes to long term results. Leroy believed that straining and struggling to get the weight up is a bunch of counterproductive hype. If you want to hear Leroy talk a little about his feel for training, you can fast forward to about one minute and ten seconds into the following video.
Leroy Colbert
Vince Gironda
Vince Gironda was another natural bodybuilder who I believe had a high bodybuilding IQ. In addition to training himself, he trained other bodybuilders and produced many outstanding bodybuilders including the first Mr. Olympia, Larry Scott. I believe Larry had a high bodybuilding IQ in his own right. If you read very much about Larry, you’ll find that he credits a lot of his success to Vince’s advice and a nutritional a supplement called Blair’s protein powder which caused his body explode with size. Before that time, he had a hard time building muscle. Vince also trained Mohamed Makkawy who was an amazing bodybuilder who placed 2nd in the Mr. Olympia. Vince was an outstanding bodybuilder himself and trained himself for virtually a lifetime. He still had an outstanding body in his fifties.
Vince was one of the most open minded bodybuilders of his time and believed in a variety of routines including 3 sets of 8 reps, 5 sets of 5 reps, 6 sets of 6 reps, 8 sets of 8 reps, 10 sets of 10 reps, 15 sets of 4 reps, and giant sets of four different exercises for the same muscle group with no rest between exercises. The exact routine a bodybuilder did depended on their personal training capacity, recovery ability, and goals. Most of Vince’s training routines were to be done at a rapid pace with little rest between sets. Vince was famous for routines that could be done in less than 45 minutes and for producing quick results in the clients he trained. He placed great emphasis on nutritional supplements and believed in training hard enough, but not so hard that you pushed to failure. For more information about Vince Gironda’s training click on the following link (Vince’s training information). You can also watch the following video.
Brad Schoenfeld
Brad Schoenfeld does cutting edge research and experimental studies on muscle building. If you are into the scientific aspects of bodybuilding, there is no better resource than Brad. He also has competed and ranked well in natural bodybuilding competitions and has trained others with outstanding results. Brad is ridiculously knowledgeable both in terms of the physiology of muscle building and in terms of applying his knowledge to formulate effective training strategies. His expertise is in the area of natural bodybuilding instead of the type of training that results from steroid induced gains that don’t transfer well to natural bodybuilding. Watch the following videos for more information from Brad.
Phil Heath
I must include the current Mr. Olympia, Phil Heath, as a bodybuilder who has a very high bodybuilding IQ. Every time I watch him train his form is spot on and he generally pushes each set as long as he can maintain a steady even rep pace. In other words, he knows how hard to push without pushing too hard. Phil’s training pace is often pretty fast, but once again, he has a feel for knowing how fast to move from set to set to push his muscles the right amount. If you are a natural bodybuilder, I would recommend that you watch the form that Phil uses to do his exercises, and that you notice his rep speed, rep tempo, and his level of intensity. However, I would caution against doing as many sets as he does, because he does a lot more sets than many natural bodybuilders can handle.
If you love bodybuilding, this article can lead you down a lot of paths that can increase your bodybuilding IQ. In the next article, I will transition over to powerlifting IQ and those who have great knowledge, instinct, and feel for powerlifting success. Until then, best of training to you.