Esplendido on stage

**esplendido** · 05-01-2009, 01:18 PM

Because I've shown mostly cropped pictures of myself, and you've probably read where I need to bring my legs up (I have arthritis in both knees), here is a pic of me onstage last summer in a 40-over class (I was the 51 year old among the youngsters).

You now have a whole body shot and comparison shot to judge my physique by.

**esplendido** · 05-01-2009, 01:18 PM

Click on the image for a larger version.

**HeavyDutyGuy** · 05-01-2009, 02:07 PM

Nice pec/delt/arm tie in! You look more conditioned than the other two, one guy is way smoother. How did you place last year?

**esplendido** · 05-01-2009, 02:46 PM

Third out of six. The two in the photo beat me. The guy in the middle won. He was 41. I was the more conditioned but my legs hurt me. I've brought them up an inch since then (28 1/2) and need another inch to be balanced.

**GirlyMuscle** · 05-01-2009, 02:48 PM

Dang! I knew there was a reason I liked the old dudes!

I think if you "sit" a little more your legs would look thicker.

**Gaoshang Xiongshou** · 05-01-2009, 02:48 PM

I better look like that when I am your age.

**Suzy Brown** · 05-01-2009, 02:56 PM

You look awesome, hot stuff!

GM's right, little more squat in your pose would have made your hammies pop out more.

**esplendido** · 05-01-2009, 02:59 PM

Thanks. It's a temptation to think that since I'm in my fifties, I can get away with certain weaknesses. I've adjusted that thinking to focusing on being a great bber. This is my fifth year back and I think I can start adding open classes to my resume.

**Dom** · 05-01-2009, 03:05 PM

Man you rocked it! Look great!!!!

**Gaoshang Xiongshou** · 05-01-2009, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by esplendido

Thanks. It's a temptation to think that since I'm in my fifties, I can get away with certain weaknesses. I've adjusted that thinking to focusing on being a great bber. This is my fifth year back and I think I can start adding open classes to my resume.

I thought you were only about 10-12 years older than me.

**HeavyDutyGuy** · 05-01-2009, 03:11 PM

Tall guys don't want to 'sit' in the side chest. If you're tall with a big chest, you want to hit it like Arnold, Lou, or Nubret, draw up to your full height, and draw the chest up- dominates shorter, lighter guys. Squatting and twisting like guys do a lot nowadays shows hamstrings and glutes more, but takes away from the pose. Bending the outside leg (not flexing the hamstring, let it'hang') and pressing it against the far leg gives a similiar look to the leg without destroying the pose. "Its a side chest, Franco, not a front chest. If you don't have it, don't hit it"...