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We are all born with differing starting lines in life. When it comes to physical, mental, temperament, and many other physical and mental makeups, we are all built differently. We all wake up in the morning with different muscle insertions, responsiveness to training, muscle belly widths, etc. You may never be able to achieve the level of strength and size that some people have by the 9th grade, but they may never be able to reach that level of ripped midsection that you attain without even trying. We are all built differently.

That being said, this is no reason for you to just accept your genetic shortcomings and keep on your current path. If you are naturally pudgy, you don’t have to remain this way. Will it take a lot more cardio and dieting than your skinny friends? Of course! But at the same time, your thick friend will be able to add muscle to his body much faster than your high metabolism will allow. Let’s look at how to make the best of our strengths and weaknesses.

First, let’s examine your current genetic STRENGTHS. Embrace them. Highlight them. Use them to your advantage. Make them the centerpiece of what you show the world. If you are naturally lean, then you had better make sure the world knows you wear that 6 pack. And if you have very good arms thanks to genetics, then just leave the sleeves at home, my friend! In the gym, train your strong areas hard, never slacking, so that they can remain strong areas, within reason.

Now it is, unfortunately, time to look at your genetic SHORTCOMINGS. It can be very humbling to admit that you weren’t born perfect, but most people are not. Doing so, facing your genetic flaws, is the first step to addressing them and then either correcting them or finding ways to de-emphasize them so that they aren’t noticed. Hit them earlier in your training week. Maybe even twice, just 3 days later. If you have always had poor arms, then find ways to build up your torso so that it’s so good, nobody is even looking at your arms!

Finally there will arrive a point when you have to accept your shortcomings. Don’t let them frustrate you – always work to improve them – but never fear them or allow them to dictate your training to the point where you stop going to the gym and stop working to achieve your best shape ever.