We are not talking about magical PL numbers, we are talking a basic beginner level of strength, these are not big numbers, 100/140/180, anyone playing with weights should be able to achieve these within their first 12 months of training. No matter if training for strength or Body building, we all lift weights and progressively over load. It's impossible to be training 'seriously' for a year or more and not naturally achieve these basic numbers as part of the process no matter what your aim in training.
If someone has been training for a year or more and allegedly has been serious and they have not hit these numbers I would question what they have been doing in the gym during that time. Buti know one thing it's not serious training and progressive overload.
Lets put it like this then, if someone has been training for a year and totally focused themself on bodybuilding, training like a bodybuilder, eating like a bodybuilder, entered a comp and won the comp but his numbers are for example say 100/130/170, does this still make him a beginner? why do those numbers make someone a beginner or not? I guess thats what we are getting at. Some/alot of bodybuilders will never max out so how will they ever know if they are at a beginner level or not? If someone has been training for 6 months, has not progressed much inregards to size but there numbers have finally hit 100/140/180 does that now make them not a beginner bodybuilder? I guess the point being is yes its great to have a base of strength but in the overall big picture as a bodybuilder it does not matter if your numbers are 200/300/280 or 100/130/160 its how you look on stage or in the mirror that is the end goal for bodybuilders.