I was looking at the progress pics here, and noticed that while people eventually develop their upper bodies very satisfactorily, they still have these slender waists. Is it not a normal part of bodybuiding to be thick and muscular around the waist as well? I get the impression you train your obliques for this via, say, Saxon Side bends. Anybody with before after pics of their obliques, or thoughts on the matter?

They usually stick with lighter high rep stuff for that. They don't want to develop thick waists. However, depending on what you want, some people don't mind, like powerlifters. They just train it too and let it grow.

Well, to me, one of the purposes of bodybuilding is to be aesthetically pleasing, obviously. So keeping the waist slim is just part of it. Having a bulging gut, be it muscle or not, doesn't look very nice if you ask me.

This post has been edited by -Dan: Jun 11 2009, 12:57 PM

I'm thinking of experimenting with 2 sets of 10-12 reps barbell saxon side bends after my major lifts.

I don't see why you shouldn't. Even I do weighted ab work all the time. Probably, just don't overdo it.

It's just that I don't see people doing it in the journals or in the progress pics.

(I already do weighted situps to support my overhead press.)

When I say weighted ab work, it isn't the crunch machine. I do it on the cable machine. Better recuritment. Doesn't bust your back.

Just my personal opinion and some knowledge i have gain from some pro. Like chad waterbury and bob chic ever mention about having a decent slim waist u must avoid crunches or any abs exercise that can achieve hypertrophy, and u gona have a bloated look (i experience it myself, my stomach is more protruding than my chest). So wat u need to do is some exercise to maintain ur abs, like plank, side plank and etc.

I just discovered this exercise to fix the distended belly problem:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ms-fit5.htm

I've always liked the look of such abs actually. Not cool meh?





I think they look damn solid and speaks of strength.

They meant don't use too much weight on abs exercises. Light weight, very high reps. But anyway, just curious bro, where did you see those articles. I'm kinda curious too.

This post has been edited by darklight79: Jun 13 2009, 08:14 PM

avoid abs exercise in order to not to have protruding guts??? i've read articles tht stomach vacuuming solves tht issue!!! after a month of heavy ab training i've also experience tht but after performing stomach vacumming, my waistline became smaller...

Hey man, how do you perform ab exercises using a cable machine?

I'd be willing to trade 10 points of IQ for abs like that.

It can be done. Just need a lot of time & money. I hope to get it by the age of 30

This post has been edited by kurtkob78: Jun 14 2009, 06:42 PM

Cable Crunches.

10 points of IQ, that is alot for a set of abdominals that would wash off anytime. You better be a little wiser on what you wish for boy.

This post has been edited by shanecross: Jun 14 2009, 06:48 PM

that dude was skinny... dont u think???
but damn...the abs..

That's just a case of having very low bodyfat and some decent genetics for the abs, ie symmetry.

Achievable leh. I'm 75% there lol. But not my main concern now. Needs lean muscle mass!

So this is the gymnast Yang Wei at the 2003 World Championships. Great obliques. I find his torso perfectly proportioned.

That's the result of years and years of gymnastics training.

That book is amazing. All about bodyweight gymnastic training you can do at home with minimal equipment. Here's some examples, just for the dip. He has plenty of alternatives for the pullups as well.

Well here's the normal dip from someone with abnormal shoulder flexibility:



And here is the Russian L-dip, way tougher than your normal dip:



And for those without a dip station (I use the parallel crossbars at the top of my power rack as my dip station), here's the single bar dip:



And here is the Korean version of the single bar dip:

And to conclude the night, here's definitely NOT your father's pushup.

Gymnast body isnt exactly thick as an oak tree...
but it looks fantastic... thats my dream look actually.. but slightly buffer. i'd definitely prefer that look
where'd u get that book anyways? and price?

I downloaded that book for free. I've about a dozen fitness titles I've downloaded for free like Scrawny to Brawny, Built for Show, two Rippetoe titles, the entire DiPasquale's, the entire Lyle McDonald's, a Thibaudeau, etc.

I did those when I used to do gymnastics. Had my coach supporting me for the handstand push ups, though.

That's cool. If I were to be interested in picking up recreational gymnastics, where would I go to/contact?