[quote]pdub690 wrote:
I’ve also recently started stiff-legged deads to try & isolate the erectors more, seems to be a positive change. [/quote]
Interesting, I’ve always done stiff leg deads for my hamstring development.
Also, it’s not that your back isn’t lean, especially the lower region, it’s that you don’t have the actual muscle thickness in the area to actually look impressive at low levels of bodyfat. I stopped doing deads once I started competing, instead choosing to focus on weighted hyperextensions, which have truly thickened up my erectors much better than years of heavy deads did. Not saying that deads aren’t useful, heck, working up to 5 plates + certainly helped my foundation, but at some point if you’re not getting the results you desire, you have to reassess your approach.
Interesting, I’ve always done stiff leg deads for my hamstring development.
S[/quote]
It’s a slight variation, a bit more hip action & less stretch from the hamstrings. Hard to explain, but it’s dead on when you hit it right. Thanks Stu.
I’m not anywhere near pro level, but I think heavy hyperextensions work great. Hold on to 2-3 plates when you do it. Your erectors will stay solid the whole time. If you hold yourself at the top of the movement, you’ll find your whole body shaking within seconds. I like this one alot, but if you stand up too fast you’ll get dizzy!
[quote]Mike T. wrote:
Your rear lat spread annoys me.
your back double bicep pose isn’t much better.
[/quote]
Thank you for commenting. Now that you’ve pointed out my faults, how about some constructive suggestions on how to stop “annoying” you?
Specifically: What about my rear poses annoys you? What do you suggest I tweak to enhance these two poses? Are there any easy tips you have to make these two poses pop? Am I just completely doing these poses incorrectly? If so, maybe a few pictures of examples with explanations would help.
Criticism without direction/instruction goes nowhere towards a means of improvement.
Dude, good work for your first show. Like you said, your just starting off and you will find the exercises and rep range that your body responds to the most.
Lol @ Mike T’s useless critique. I get his reaction though. It looks a little weird, but super easy to fix. To me it looks like your upper body is leaning forward in those 2 poses, I think a bit of a weight shift backward, and maybe a more upright torso would look better. Your feet may be a bit wide in those 2 pics as well. Just a thought, I’m not a posing expert by any means, but I do know a little bit.
I also think both those pictures will look better with more thickness throughout your back, but that idea is pretty much what this thread has been about anyway.
[quote]flipcollar wrote:
To me it looks like your upper body is leaning forward in those 2 poses, I think a bit of a weight shift backward, and maybe a more upright torso would look better. Your feet may be a bit wide in those 2 pics as well. [/quote]
So you’re saying to lean back a bit & really squeeze in the erector for a slight arch? I notice if I bring my feet in narrower I don’t get a good striation in my hamstrings… & without much size, I need all the striations & small tweaks I can expose! I’ll give it a shot, Thanks for the useful suggestions!