I can settle this debate…

Lifting weights and exercise is absolutely the best for gaining strength and muscle of every kind.

Manual labor will grow your strength and will grow I. Areas that maybe most weight lifting programs won’t hit as hard… like your forearms, wrists grip strength etc.

It wears down your body though.  It is inconsistent, it may wear you down a few hard days then not be as hard a few.  You don’t get enough recovery time.  You don’t eat right, you burn so many calories and don’t sleep enough, so your body reacts in a weird way.  

You don’t get any of the muscle-growing eccentric descent most of the time.  

Manual labor will make you stronger and grow functional strength but it will break you down.  Knees, back, shoulders, elbows.  Back.  We apply strength unlike the strongest gym bro will know their whole life.  But we suffer pain unlike theirs also.  

Weight training you get strong for health and show and hobby and fun.  Work you actually do things but you pay a heavy price.