Uh ... but what KIND of athlete? One who engages in a strength/power/explosive-type sport? Maybe, sure. One who competes in a more skill-based sport, such as, say, golf? Unless he does specific strength training (like that guy you reference who trains for "five hours each week"), not a chance in hell.
It's commentary like yours and that other dufus' that really shines a spotlight on the fact that there are many on this board who haven't the foggiest notion about anything weight training/strength related. Or even about anything athletic, for that matter.
Fact is, there are many here who don't even train with weights.
It is SO obvious.
Here's the thing - when I respond to a post, I generally keep the discussion within the context of post I'm responding to. I'm weird like that. So, when I say a "a professional athlete" right after after guy posts a picture of a professional athlete who says he squatted 5 bills, I'm not inferring that a golfer or a tennis player who doesn't strength train could fucking squat 500lbs. I'm saying that the OP cannot say that a soccer player who claims he squatted 500 did not just by looking at him.
I do lift, and have concentrated mostly on strength and conditioning, and follow programs from people who DO know what they're doing (Coach, for example gave me a routine his strength athletes followed). So, I figured if my 178 pound old twink ass could box squat 400 after only 8 weeks or so, that a soccer player who probably works out for a living, with access to elite coaching, nutrition, rest, etc, could do one with 500.
Is that a stretch? In fact, what's more ridiculous - me thinking it's a possibility, or the OP instantly dismissing based on a picture? I would think someone who specializes in this stuff like you would have seen many people phenomenally strong who don't look it.
And, I never referred to anyone "who trains 5 hrs per week." You're confusing two different posters.
