Rounder delts can make you look wider and your waist look narrower. That’s two aesthetic reasons to get shoulder training right, especially the side head that’s most responsible for those two effects. [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 125: Ray Mentzer’s Mr. America Mass
This studio shot of Ray Mentzer is a classic (we’re not sure of the photographer), taken when he won the 1979 Mr. America. [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 121: Danny Padilla’s Perfect Double Biceps
Here’s Danny Padilla once again featured in our Zen weekly. Thickness, aesthetics, and mass in the studio in the ’70s. [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 77: Frank Zane’s Greatest Shot?
Frank Zane wasn’t the biggest bodybuilder of his era by any stretch. He competed and won the Mr. Olympia weighing around 190 at 5’9”. And 40 years later, his physique is still considered an ultimate ideal by the many…
His secret was that he always came in super-crisp with delineated abs. In fact, his abs stood out in bold relief even when he was standing relaxed, as in this photo. [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 76: Steve Reeves Double Biceps
This photo taken in the ’50s shows the classic lines of Steve Reeves that made him a perfect movie Hercules. The man had excellent genetics, and not just in the looks department. Check out at his wide V taper, small waist and long calves… [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 68: Danny Padilla Onstage
Danny Padilla was “the Giant Killer” of pro bodybuilding back in the ‘80s. At only 5’2”, his symmetrical sculpted mass allowed him to beat bodybuilders who were much taller and larger than he was.
From the pic here, you can see why—no flaws anywhere. [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 41: Shawn Ray
Shawn Ray is often referred to as the uncrowned Mr. Olympia, taking second in that contest twice: ’94 and ’96. His physique was almost flawless as this classic pose shows… [Read more…]
Photos and Freakiness
Q: I saw
A: Well, that’s not a question, but it’s a relevant opinion—bigger is not necessarily better. In Jonathan’s case, you are seeing his most-muscular pose, and when you gain more muscle, your physique can look more “crowded” in that pose. You could argue that his muscles are starting to look too big for his frame. Steve, on the other hand, is in a semi-relaxed pose in the X-Rep photo, and a twisting ab shot in his Beyond-X photo. He looks considerably bigger in the “after” photo, but it’s a different pose, which makes it difficult to judge.
[Read more…]