I've always wondered, and perhaps someone can tell me, why is it that chimps are so much stronger than us? Do they have a much lower adrenaline threshhold? Is it a matter of physics? I know they are much smaller. They say a chimp can effective bench the equivalent of 1200 lbs which is just astounding. I'm very large and I've only approached 400 lbs.
Their arms must be all muscle. Consider how they constantly climb and swing, using their arms.
why is it that chimps are so much stronger than us?
I think the reason is because chimps are quadrupeds. Humans have a lot of strength in their buttocks (for locomotion) and chimps has no buns but a lot of upper body strength.
Well, of course, they'd need all that body strength and "monkey grip" to swing and scamper through the treetrops without falling, so nature gave them the equipment for it. The explanation of how they achieve such robust musculature is a mystery to me. But it's something I've noticed throughout the animal world. I'd say pound-for-pound almost any animal is stronger than a human being. They've got a bigger bite, too. Thank goodness we rely on our wits to defend ourselves, or we'd end up on every carnivore's dinner plate. When we lose our wits -- LIKE NOT LOCKING THE F'ING CAGE -- we realize just how puny we are, physically.
I've heard that part of it is not muscle mass or tone, but points of attachment -- leverage. As I understand it, chimp muscles are attached further up from the joints -- which gives the muscles better leverage. This trades strength for speed of movement. You can outjab a chimp, but once he gets hold of you, he'll tear your head off. Also, as pointed out by another poster, they're disproportionately large above the waist in comparison to humans. A chimp's forearms are huge.