BY MICHAEL BERG
OPPOSITE PAGE: COURTESY OF WEIDER HEALTH & FITNESS; THIS PAGE: PER BERNAL certain features and attributes predispose an athlete to perform well in certain areas and not so well in others. For instance, physical height is an advantage in basketball and volleyball but is a disadvantage if you’ re a gymnast or an Olympic lifter. Still, there are great basketball and volleyball players who are short and great lifters and gymnasts who are tall. Many athletes, including bodybuilders, overcome genetic disadvantages by determination and hard work.
Injuries that affect symmetry are a bigger problem. Balance and symmetry are key in terms of upper- to lower-body development, but even more important is left to right. Bodybuilding is very much about the“ muscular flow” of the body. Imbalances can be downplayed to a degree in some poses— side chest, side triceps, and even overhead abdominals— but it’ s hard to disguise old injury deformations or other imbalances in the double biceps and front and rear lat spread, as well as the mandatory quarter-turn front and back poses.
With all else being even— that is, overall mass and conditioning— the athlete who is also balanced will get the nod. But it’ s also rare for any athlete to be perfect, so even if you have some flaws, genetic or otherwise, this should never stop you from training intensely and competing in the sport you love.
SANDY WILLIAMSON
THE STAGE IS GENERALLY SET A FEW FEET HIGHER THAN WHERE THE JUDGING PANEL IS SEATED. WITH THAT IN MIND, WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO SHOWCASE MY PHYSIQUE TO THE JUDGES? ARE THERE ADJUSTMENTS TO WHERE TO STAND ON STAGE? HOW CAN I MAKE SURE I’ M TAKING THE BEST ADVANTAGE OF THE LIGHTING?
Most promoters mark the stage with a centre“ X” or“ block,” which is the best place to stand for your individual poses regardless of the division. This area of the stage is marked because the promoter works with the photographers and judges to determine where the best on stage lighting is for the athletes.
You do want to angle yourself a little forward when posing since the judges are below the stage, but often I see athletes angling too far forward, which distorts their physique. It’ s always best if you have a place to practice beforehand that has a stage setup or platform so that you can work on perfecting your presentation before you get to the show.
Hit your mark! Veterans like Tanji Johnson know how to show the judges their best side from every angle.
JANUARY 2018 | FLEX 129