Doctor
Recovering Beta

Posts: 213
Joined: Nov 2012
Reputation: 2
|
RE: analyze my physique bulking
Your shoulders seem to be the most developed. Could be training, could be genetics. I know you're taking a picture, but on your right hand your knuckles are starting to face forward. That shows a combination of possible poor posture and also a constant state of internal rotation of the shoulder meaning your anterior musculature of the chest and shoulder is more developed than the posterior shoulder capsule pulling your shoulder forward. Without seeing your back, I'd guess your upper back and middle upper back (rear delta, traps, rhomboids, upper lats, rotator cuff, etc) are lacking in development in comparison. This can be a precursor to developing kyphosis in which your thoracic spine develops an excessive curvature or rounding giving you that constant hunched forward position. This is also a way to develop shoulder problems long term. Put as much time into your back (not just lats) as your put into the front.
For example, if you were standing normally and holding flashlights in your hands the beams of light should hypothetically not cross or at least not cross directly in front of you.
Here is another thing to consider. If your delta are in fact your strong point, they can dominate some movements because they are stronger than other muscles. I'm not saying that is the case, but something to consider.
If your triceps were relative to your shoulders they would be more prominent even from the side. I'd say those are lacking.
You say you squat, but your legs are not nearly as well developed as your upper body.
With as low of BF % as you have, the musculature of your chest should be more prominent and you should have more vascularity in the forearm and biceps.
As always, one picture rarely tells everything.
Gaining quality size takes time so be patient.
Also, wear more than just your underwear.
|
|
| 06-29-2013 11:38 AM |
|
The following 1 user Likes Doctor's post:1 user Likes Doctor's post
Kabal
|
Kieran
Alpha Male
   
Posts: 1,291
Joined: Apr 2013
Reputation: 17
|
RE: analyze my physique bulking
Your posture looks a bit strange in this picture, like you are shrugging slightly.
I agree with the others that your delts look overdeveloped compared to your chest, particularly your upper chest. Back when I was training for aesthetic reasons, the only movement I found that brought my upper chest up was the high incline dumbell press (think really quite high, like 55-60 degrees as per Charles Glass). Although this improved things somewhat, upper chest remained a slight weakness for me compared to the rest of my chest which grew really easily. This seems to be one of the most common weaknesses in other people from looking around the gym and online.
Although you haven't shown us a picture of your back, almost everyone could use some extra work on their upper backs. I like high volume strict rowing variations (such as medium grip straight bar cable rows or barbell rows, where you can really focus on getting good scapular retraction), followed by a high rep heavy set with looser technique using something like a t-bar row, or a one arm dumbell row.
|
|
| 06-29-2013 12:40 PM |
|
|
Hammer
Banned
Posts: 65
Joined: Apr 2013
|
RE: analyze my physique bulking
(07-03-2013 11:16 PM)mikeymike Wrote: (07-03-2013 09:11 PM)Hammer Wrote: Flat bench is fine, incline is very important, avoid decline.
Just wrong.
"The decline press is a rather useless exercise because the angle of the body in the decline position shortens the distance the bar can travel, decreasing the amount of work done with respect to the distance the load moves. This has an effect of increasing the weight that can be used in the exercise by decreasing its difficulty. This leads to inflated perceptions of one's ability, and is essentially masturbation, much like that which is possible with a 30-degree leg press or half-squat. It gets recommended for its effects on the "lower pecs." Dips perform this function more effectively, while at the same time involving more muscle mass, more balance coordination, and more nervous system activity. Declines are also dangerous because if their point of contact on the lower sternum gets missed, the next stop is the throat. Couple this with heavy weight and a lousy spotter, and you might have a really, really bad "chest" workout."
-Mark Ripptoe (Starting Strength - Basic Barbell Training, 2nd Edition)
(This post was last modified: 07-04-2013 01:03 AM by Hammer.)
|
|
| 07-04-2013 01:02 AM |
|
|
Therapsid
Alpha Male
   
Posts: 1,357
Joined: Sep 2012
Reputation: 17
|
RE: analyze my physique bulking
(07-04-2013 01:02 AM)Hammer Wrote: "The decline press is a rather useless exercise because the angle of the body in the decline position shortens the distance the bar can travel, decreasing the amount of work done with respect to the distance the load moves. This has an effect of increasing the weight that can be used in the exercise by decreasing its difficulty. This leads to inflated perceptions of one's ability, and is essentially masturbation, much like that which is possible with a 30-degree leg press or half-squat. It gets recommended for its effects on the "lower pecs." Dips perform this function more effectively, while at the same time involving more muscle mass, more balance coordination, and more nervous system activity. Declines are also dangerous because if their point of contact on the lower sternum gets missed, the next stop is the throat. Couple this with heavy weight and a lousy spotter, and you might have a really, really bad "chest" workout."
-Mark Ripptoe (Starting Strength - Basic Barbell Training, 2nd Edition)
That's fine, but part of working out is using the equipment you have. Not everyone works out in a gym with the equipment to do dips, especially dips for pec development.
One thing guys who workout for many years will develop is the ability to adapt to the gyms and equipment that are available at any given time, and even to take advantage of that unpredictability.
Of course, if you live in one place for the most part and have a good gym membership all this is moot.
|
|
| 07-04-2013 01:17 AM |
|
|
mikeymike
Wingman
  
Posts: 934
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation: 19
|
RE: analyze my physique bulking
(07-04-2013 01:02 AM)Hammer Wrote: (07-03-2013 11:16 PM)mikeymike Wrote: (07-03-2013 09:11 PM)Hammer Wrote: Flat bench is fine, incline is very important, avoid decline.
Just wrong.
"The decline press is a rather useless exercise because the angle of the body in the decline position shortens the distance the bar can travel, decreasing the amount of work done with respect to the distance the load moves. This has an effect of increasing the weight that can be used in the exercise by decreasing its difficulty. This leads to inflated perceptions of one's ability, and is essentially masturbation, much like that which is possible with a 30-degree leg press or half-squat. It gets recommended for its effects on the "lower pecs." Dips perform this function more effectively, while at the same time involving more muscle mass, more balance coordination, and more nervous system activity. Declines are also dangerous because if their point of contact on the lower sternum gets missed, the next stop is the throat. Couple this with heavy weight and a lousy spotter, and you might have a really, really bad "chest" workout."
-Mark Ripptoe (Starting Strength - Basic Barbell Training, 2nd Edition)
Ripptoe can say what he like the emg analysis has shown otherwise and he's incorrect in that the chest can work in segments and he's basing part of his dislike that you can hurt yourself, what are you gonna avoid skullcrushers, deadlifts now too for their propensity to cause injury. I have a friend with his pro card and train with 3 guys who are going for theirs, not one of them flat bench anymore, they've seen enough tears, strains, rotator cuff injuries to last them a life time, flat benching is for powerlifters and ego lifters, a bb'er doesn't need it. My friend and my training partners rely solely on decline for the bulk of their chest training. John Meadows recommend declines and he trains with Valliant, he's probably the most innovative bb'er around these days in regards to training. Dorian Yates used to decline extensively. Starting strength is a good program but he's just wrong in this case, you can't argue the facts with opinion.
(This post was last modified: 07-04-2013 03:49 PM by mikeymike.)
|
|
| 07-04-2013 03:41 PM |
|
|