The term "flat"

[shaver929]

I hear this a lot. Can someone explain to me, in photo specifically what the term "flat" looks like and means.

[mewells]

I don't know the exact context of it. But from how I am interpreting it from what you said is that simply the person who is being called "flat" doesn't have muscle extending out away from their body. If you took at a bodybuilder from the side, you see their chest stick out along with their back. If you look forward at them, you see their wider, built shoulders, chest, thick arms, etc. I hope I got this right and am not sounding like an idiot. lol

[Vanguard1965]

Not sure if I can show you with pictures but flat refers to the muscles not being full of glycogen / water. Usually when you go a ketogenic diet you lose all the glycogen and water from the muscle so your muscles appear flat. When you go on stage you want your muscles to be big and as volumized as possible, ie full of glycogen, water hence the timing of the "carb up" is key to having that full look on stage.

Have a read on Layne Norton's Peak week it will give you a really good idea. http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/layne-norton-peak-week.html

[shaver929]

Thanks for the responses...I think I get it now! I'd like to see a side by side comparison too.

[Unforgiven969]

http://www.holytaco.com/wp-content/uploads/images/2009/brooklyn_decker_hot_girl_swimsuit.jpg
not this

[Sporto1633]

I hear this a lot. Can someone explain to me, in photo specifically what the term "flat" looks like and means.

It's kind of like pornography - I can't quite explain exactly what it is, but I know it when I see it.

Sporto

[mrusa85]

Here's an example of Phil Heath at the 2009 Olympia. He was flat at the judging due to food poisoning. By finals he had filled out a good 10 pounds. It was easier to see at the show because of the 3D effect, but you can compare the two photos and see how the skin looks different. Sort of like a balloon when it starts to deflate and when it is fully inflated. Hope this helps.

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4051461&d=1326824950

[Barn01]

I hear this a lot. Can someone explain to me, in photo specifically what the term "flat" looks like and means.

Eat LOW carbs and sodium for a few days or even a week. Do long high rep workouts until failure every set. Remember how you feel and look at the end. Then go to IHOP and have a massive stack of pancakes with butter and syrup ... hit the gym again for a chest, arm, shoulders day. After your workout you come back and tell us the difference you see and feel.

Flat means your muscles aren't holding much blood/water, Full means they are! If you fill too much that's called a spill and you'll go from grainy freak to smooth. The week before a comp is when we take steps to come in as full as possible but not spilling.

I have pics of myself as being all 3 but just not accessible right now.

[MAX.MAREK]

Here's an example of Phil Heath at the 2009 Olympia. He was flat at the judging due to food poisoning. By finals he had filled out a good 10 pounds. It was easier to see at the show because of the 3D effect, but you can compare the two photos and see how the skin looks different. Sort of like a balloon when it starts to deflate and when it is fully inflated. Hope this helps.

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4051461&d=1326824950

id take that "FLAT" any day of the week hahaha

[mrusa85]

Agreed. Oh, to be so flat as the 2009 Phil... :-) lol

[Heracles26]

i didnt understand the concept of being flat

then i did keto for a few weeks

then i understood

[AustrianOakJr]

id take that "FLAT" any day of the week hahaha

I was gonna say.....in his "flat" pic he is a lot sharper. If I was judging the two, I would have given the win to "flat". I would actually disagree that he is flat in that second pic. If anything he is a bit watery in both pics, but more so in the first.

[fltallpaul]

Ok I will be the guinea pig here. I looked through some photos and remember specifically when I was flat, it was between shows on my lowest two carb days of the entire prep. I had a photo shoot and felt really tight but had no pop. I guess this is where it gets subjective because I felt it then and I can see it now. Not sure everyone will agree but here is the studio shot very flat, but lean.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j238/fltallpaul/workout/bdb-1.jpg

Here is a shot around the same time when I was much more filled out.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j238/fltallpaul/workout/pauldouble100209.jpg

[shaver929]

I now feel like I understand the term, great information. Thanks guys for explaining this, and making it easy to grasp.

[footballpunter]

Nice

[JohnSkyline54]

nice

[XCriticalBenchX]

Smooth.. soft, less vascular.

[audipotential]

Smooth.. soft, less vascular.
This was the best description. the Phil Heath pictures made no sense

[XCriticalBenchX]

This was the best description. the Phil Heath pictures made no sense


Thanks bro. The phil pic I was clueless on as well.. that was not a flat v.s full pic what so ever. That was more of a thicker skin issue from very minor water retention if you ask me..