One of the weird, but maybe not so weird, things about building muscle is this:
Some body parts just grow.
Others fight you.
Indeed, some men will find that their biceps respond incredibly well to training. A few curls, a decent pump, and suddenly they’ve got softballs hanging off the front of their arms.
Other guys, myself included, can train biceps hard for years and still feel like they’re chasing something.
Meanwhile, their triceps, chest, or back blow up almost effortlessly.
This is just the nature of the beast.
If you’ve been lifting for any length of time, you’ve noticed it. If you’re new…you will.
For me:
- Triceps
- Chest
- Lats
- Abs and core
These respond extremely well. I can get great pumps. They grow. They get strong. They feel alive when trained.
Not surprisingly, these are my strong points.
But then there are the stubborn ones:
- Shoulders
- Biceps
- Calves
Harder to pump. Slower to grow. Easier to neglect.
And yes, they’re my weak points.
Why This Happens
Muscle growth isn’t just about effort.
It’s influenced by structure (muscle belly length), fiber type distribution, leverage from limb length, neurological efficiency, and your ability to recruit a muscle under load.
Some areas are built to grow. Others require war.
You don’t get to choose the hand you were dealt.
But you do get to choose your response.
The Musclebuilder understands this.
He doesn’t complain.
He adapts.
What This Means
Two important things.
1️⃣ You must bust your ass on weak points.
The muscles that don’t respond easily require:
- More intention
- More focus
- Better execution
- More frequency
Not ego lifting. Not junk volume.
Precise, relentless work.
2️⃣ You must manage your strong points.
Because if you don’t?
They will overpower your physique.
Overdeveloped chest with no shoulders. Big triceps, tiny biceps. Wide lats, flat calves.
That looks unbalanced.
And imbalance isn’t just aesthetic—it can create strength discrepancies and joint stress over time.
This is where being a good observer comes in.
The mirror doesn’t lie.
Photos don’t lie.
Your lifts don’t lie.
Bring Up Weak Points Strategically
Here’s how you attack them:
- Add an extra set or two when training that muscle
- Add additional sets on other days
- Dedicate an entire weak-point session
- Train them first when energy is highest
- Slow down tempo and improve connection
Sometimes the solution isn’t more weight.
It’s better execution.
Controlled reps. Longer eccentrics. Hard squeezes. Less rest.
You’ve been running that 3-2-2-2 tempo and short rest split for over a year now…this is exactly the kind of system that can wake up lagging areas when applied intelligently.
The Deeper Lesson
This isn’t just about muscle.
It’s about life.
Some areas of your life will grow effortlessly.
Others will resist you.
Your career. Your relationships. Your confidence. Your discipline.
The Musclebuilder doesn’t ignore the weak points.
He attacks them.
And he doesn’t let his strengths become blind spots either.
Balance. Awareness. Relentless adjustment.
That’s how you build a complete physique.
That’s how you build a complete man.
