One thing I've really noticed, lately, is the importance of a strong grip. Holding bars or pulling on handles or lifting blocks or bells doesn't seem to develop the muscles in the hands and arms anywhere near as efficiently, as realwork. Especially because realwork tends to constantly switch between different activities, and fine/coarse movements.

It's like the difference between typing and writing with an ink pen.

It's like the finer development of each particular muscle can create excess lift. Perhaps it's a question of muscular control or application. Or, I suspect, heavier bones. All of the strong men I know have very strong bones. That's why you can't easily tell how strong they are, by appearance alone. It's things like tendons and calcification, gracefulness, or the coordination between mind and body. Simply often knowing _how_ to do the thing most neatly and efficiently.