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