While some people want to get as big as possible, others are interested in training for strength and not size. in fact, it’s possible to be stronger than these bulky bodybuilders without also being their size – take olympic lifters for example. they have a strict weight class, and the focus of their training is …. 10 ways to build strength without the size. 10. thomas barwick/getty images. by jon-erik kawamoto, c.s.c.s. topics: strength training training tips. more news.. A common protocol for building size and strength is 5