Posing tips

[gman]

Would a posing tips thread be good? Rick helped me in another thread with my crappy posing. I have no local resources to go to for help, thought maybe a thread with Q&A's about posing might be cool. Maybe pics of good examples, etc.

I know there might be something like this in contest prep, but I am kind of reticent about posting there quite yet

I know Rick told me to do my forearms at a 45 degree angle instead of 90 on my double bi pose. I had thought that would actually make you not able to see the bicep as well, but I am going to try it in the mirror tonight to see!

If this idea is not popular, please feel free to delete the thread!

[Sledge]

Great idea


I have a series of DVD called perfect posing thats prety good.

Also over at BB.com Bob chic has a video there that can be helpfull too. and it's free :-)

[BEAST MODE]

I'm in...posing can always be improved.

[esplendido]

Let me suggest an outline for this thread. If you want help with posing, post the following of yourself doing;

Front Double biceps
Front lat spread
Most muscular
Rear double biceps
Rear lat spread
Side chest
Best triceps pose

We can then chime in with suggestions....and good, kind advice only. I will remove posts that are mean-spirited!

[esplendido]

BTW Mike, once you get that arm position down for your front double biceps, try it two ways: first, classic pose with knuckles towards head. Second, turn knuckles away from your head. See the difference in your biceps length.

The knuckles out position is good for guys (and gals) who have a short biceps insertion. It pulls the biceps towards the elbow, making them look bigger. You lose a little peak, but if you have a short biceps, it makes it look bigger, which is overall a better look.

[gman]

tell me this Rick, I can fit two fingers between my elbow and bicep when flexed, is that indicative of short insertion, or is it pretty average?

Thanks again for doing this, this is a godsend. Now I just have to find someone patient enough to take pics of me in all the poses, or invest in a tripod!

[sassy69]

Let me suggest an outline for this thread. If you want help with posing, post the following of yourself doing;

Front Double biceps
Front lat spread
Most muscular
Rear double biceps
Rear lat spread
Side chest
Best triceps pose

We can then chime in with suggestions....and good, kind advice only. I will remove posts that are mean-spirited!

You might also include examples of each from your own catalog of competition stuff. Helps to have a base to refer to.

[HeavyDutyGuy]

tell me this Rick, I can fit two fingers between my elbow and bicep when flexed, is that indicative of short insertion, or is it pretty average?

Thanks again for doing this, this is a godsend. Now I just have to find someone patient enough to take pics of me in all the poses, or invest in a tripod!

Gman. Ellington Darden wrote about this several times. He spoke to the issue of muscle length as part of genetic potential. For biceps it went basically like this- 3 fingers means long attachments and short biceps- below average potential. 2 fingers was average potential. 1 finger was short attachment and long muscle- very good potential. No gap- excellent potential. My left bicep (pictured) has a short gap - had to squeeze my finger in. As a result, I have very good to excellent potential in the biceps. My right arm is less peaked, but the muscle is even longer. You can do the same for tricep, but its more complicated.

[esplendido]

tell me this Rick, I can fit two fingers between my elbow and bicep when flexed, is that indicative of short insertion, or is it pretty average?

Thanks again for doing this, this is a godsend. Now I just have to find someone patient enough to take pics of me in all the poses, or invest in a tripod!

That is a classical short biceps insertion, Mike. And yes, I think the majority of people have that. I do. My wife, however, has deep insertions....to where they appear to almost insert on the forearm.

[HeavyDutyGuy]

Rick, how many fingers can you insert into the biceps gap. You have some big arms. Looks from that pic that you have longer triceps. It looks like your wife has some long biceps bellies. Can you post a close up pic? Here's my right arm- no real gap at all- finger wouldn't begin to fit, lol.

[esplendido]

Here are the Mandatory Poses as shown by the pros and top ams.

[esplendido]

Rick, how many fingers can you insert into the biceps gap. You have some big arms. Looks from that pic that you have longer triceps. It looks like your wife has some long biceps bellies. Can you post a close up pic? Here's my right arm- no real gap at all- finger wouldn't begin to fit, lol.

I can get 2 fingers between my bi and forearm. I have very long arms (I'm 6'-4") and even though my arms are 20", they still look a little undersized for my overall physique. I do have very long triceps, which is where most of my arm size comes from, as the picture in the previous post shows.

You are blessed with those biceps. You'll have a very good front dbl biceps shot and, as Arnold did, you should show them often to draw attention away from any weak points in your routine.

[esplendido]

BTW, that picture of my right arm was taken by the photographer below stage level looking up, so my biceps is hidden somewhat from the angle.

[gman]

Rick is there not a mandatory pose where you stand and do turns? Pardon my attempt here, but standing like this, and just doing quarter turns until you get 360 degrees? If it's not mandatory I am going to kill the person that made me do it! lol

[gman]

Rick, how many fingers can you insert into the biceps gap. You have some big arms. Looks from that pic that you have longer triceps. It looks like your wife has some long biceps bellies. Can you post a close up pic? Here's my right arm- no real gap at all- finger wouldn't begin to fit, lol.

actually when I did my forearm past 90 degrees, I can only fit 1 finger, a good sign!