It’s one thing to set fitness goals and another to achieve them. Now, you’re probably wondering why some people lose weight and build muscles so easily and you’re not. Does it have to do with your genes? Let’s find out:

Can genetics really kill your gains?

Over the years, there have been speculations that genetics can affect the body’s ability to build muscles and burn fat. This is mainly because muscle strength and lean body mass are related to bone mineral density (BMD) that’s largely controlled by genetics.

But a twin study was conducted to determine if this theory is true and it revealed that genetic component only plays a minute role in building lean body mass and in increasing muscle strength.

In fact, it is so little that it can be addressed with lifestyle modifications and sometimes, clinical intervention.

Although genes play a role in the type of physique that you have, it’s not a deciding factor on whether you are capable of building your muscles or keeping yourself fit. It all takes hard work and perseverance to achieve your fitness goals.

So, what is killing your gains?

In reality, it’s not genetics that’s killing your gains, but these common mistakes:

• You are not being strategic with lifts.

It’s not uncommon for a lot of fitness enthusiasts to think that they can build muscles on certain parts of their bodies with isolated movements. But instead of increasing your arms or calves, you are actually just working on that specific are of your body and not maximizing your gains properly.

If you really want to improve your physique, you need to train for strength. Going for the big lifts will not only help you build muscle in your arms, but it will also increase your overall strength while burning more calories than you think.

• You are not listening to your body.

You see all these people at the gym lifting weights and doing cardio daily, and you want to do the same. But remember that your body is different, so you should always listen to it.

Even if you’re scheduled to lift weights but your body is still sore or you only had a few hours of sleep the night before, it’s best to listen to your body and rest. Some fitness enthusiasts will tell you to just push through, which isn’t bad at all.

But you also need to know the point when you’re already abusing your body that you’re not only killing your gains but also putting yourself at risk for injuries.

Although genetics play a huge part in the body that you have, you can always maximize your gains with the right attitude, lifestyle and guidance from the experts.

You should also find ways to make sure that you get enough rest, hydration and nutrients so you can really maximize the benefits of your workouts. At the end of the day, it’s all about creating that balance.

Even if you were born smaller than most people, you can still be a gainer if you work hard for it.