BY JUAN ROJAS
THE ART OF POSING: Q & A WITH CPA JUDGE CARL CHEUNG
BY JUAN ROJAS
Bodybuilding is often seen as a pursuit of raw muscle, a relentless endeavor to sculpt the body into an idealized vision of power and symmetry. But true bodybuilding is more than lifting heavy weights and chiseling the physique— it is the art of presenting that masterpiece. Posing is where the lifter becomes an artist, the body a living sculpture, and the stage a gallery in which every muscle fiber is a brushstroke on the canvas of the human form.
For all the hours spent in the gym, the discipline in diet, and the sacrifices made to achieve peak conditioning, it is posing that transforms effort into excellence. Without the ability to showcase musculature in its finest detail, a bodybuilder’ s hard-earned physique remains incomplete, like a symphony left unplayed. It is in the deliberate flex of a bicep, the elegant sweep of an arm, the sharp contraction of an oblique that a bodybuilder breathes life into their physique. Each pose is a declaration of dominance, a testament to discipline, and, above all, an expression of beauty in motion.
At its highest level, bodybuilding posing is a dance. The greats, from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Frank Zane, understood this implicitly. They knew that each pose had to be executed with precision, that every transition between stances needed to be fluid, and that stage presence could elevate an athlete from competitor to legend. It is not just about flexing but about storytelling, using the body as a medium to convey power, symmetry, and emotion.
Every twist, every tilt, every shift in weight matters. The way a bodybuilder breathes, the way they hold a pose just a second longer to let the judges absorb the details, the way they command the stage with confidence— all of it is an integral part of the performance.
Beyond competition, posing is a tool of self-mastery. It allows bodybuilders to assess their own progress, refining weak points and developing an intimate connection with their bodies. It teaches patience and control, demanding an awareness of every muscle fiber. Many underestimate the difficulty of holding a pose, but those who have experienced it understand that it requires not only strength but endurance, focus, and an unshakable mind-muscle connection.
I had the privilege of interviewing a master poser and an experienced CPA judge so he could give us an insight into how to become a master at this craft in order for you to be able to display your physique in the best possible way at your next show.
Juan: Hey Carl! Thanks so much for joining me today. I always admire your good heart and how you always make it a mission to help out as many athletes as possible. How did you get started in bodybuilding and what made you fall in love with posing?
Carl: I got started with bodybuilding after I retired from competing and teaching in Karate for many years. I Fell in love with it instantly because it was a really challenging sport that required a lot of dedication daily for 10 minutes of stage time. Back in the 90 ' s I used to watch an old TV show called " American Muscle " on TSN, it