Dumbell pull-overs expanding the rib cage?

[MikeD4386]

Originally Posted by MWheatley

He is talking about expanding the rib cage while doing the exercises, not permanently. This gives that area a good stretch by opening up the rib cage and pulling back up w/ the serratus.

Bro, you can't stretch bones. You don't hear people leaning over and saying "ya bro I'm trying to get a real deep stretch in my femur"

[MWheatley]

Originally Posted by MikeD4386

Bro, you can't stretch bones. You don't hear people leaning over and saying "ya bro I'm trying to get a real deep stretch in my femur"

you clearly did not read what i said. or dont understand anatomy.

[JOSEF RAKICH]

Originally Posted by -Lucifer

Okay, you just convinced me to add pullovers to my routine.

Let's see how it goes. Reps for you.

Pull-overs weather they stretch the rib cage or not are a awesome exercise, i do them every chest day, nothing pumps my chest up better than pull-overs i find it relly helps add thickness.

Originally Posted by GuyJin

The guy with the "alien chest protrusion" is none other than Ellington Darden of HIT fame; this shot looks like it was taken in his mid-twenties (I think he's 63 now) and it is a mind-bender. Millard Williamson (a builder in the 1940's) was also famous for a huge ribcage, as were Reg Park and Arnold--all of them did pullovers with either a barbell or dumbbells.

Okay, history lesson over. The point about stretching the cartilage is well-taken; if you're going to do pullovers make sure you have FULL control over them. I think they can help to expand your ribcage somewhat, but they can also put a strain on your ab muscles if you use too much weight.

As a sidenote, the late Vince Gironda didn't like his "proteges" using pullovers as he felt that they made the lifter look too "boxy"--he had a point, although that would be a problem only for the more thick-waisted of us (i.e. me). Now, if they build the "penis lines" then JR will doubly love them. (Just kidding, JR; you've got the right idea on this particular move).

Thanks for the post GuyJin, so they do actually somewhat expand the rib cage.

What do you mean by it made the lifter look too "boxy" are you saying like it would make the waist thicker? If anthing wouldent it help with the V-Taper making the ribs bigger than the hips resulting in more of a V-Taper also giving the illusion of the waist/hips looking smaller as the rib cage is somewhat expanded?

[GuyJin]

Originally Posted by JOSEF RAKICH

What do you mean by it made the lifter look too "boxy" are you saying like it would make the waist thicker? If anthing wouldent it help with the V-Taper making the ribs bigger than the hips resulting in more of a V-Taper also giving the illusion of the waist/hips looking smaller as the rib cage is somewhat expanded?

------------

What I mean by "boxy" is that if one has a naturally "thick" or wide waist (as I do) then having a bigger ribcage can give the illusion of greater width in the torso near the waistline (if that makes any sense) hence the "boxy" look sometimes ascribed to some famous bodybuilders in the past. Rich Gaspari comes to mind. I don't know if he ever did pullovers, BTW, but his waist, while muscular, was somewhat wide and even though he had a very thick back and fully developed shoulders, he always looked narrower and "boxy" (a term used by the bodybuilding writers of that time) than a guy like Lee Haney, who had a very narrow waist AND also had a pretty big ribcage. (Plus a massive chest and a huge back and huge shoulders and...). Was Gaspari a great bodybuilder? Sure he was; he almost won the O a few times and did win a number of other big titles. But he never looked as aesthetic as Haney and Labrada did, mainly because he looked (and was) wider in the waistline than the two other guys I mentioned. I say this with no disrespect; just pointing out that we all have different looks and different structures, and some of us have a good structure that makes us look bigger and some have a structure that makes us look wider (even with low bodyfat).

It really all depends if you have narrow of wide hipbones. JR, I remember you posted a pic a while back and it looked to me that you had a naturally narrow waist-hip structure. In your case, if you did pullovers and kept your bodyfat low, you'd still look lean and more aesthetic than me no matter what you did, mainly because the pullovers wouldn't spoil your aesthetics. In my case, when I dieted down in the past and had very little fat around the waistline, I STILL looked "thick" because I simply don't have a narrow waist-hip structure. Just the way it is. In my case, if I want to look more proportionate, I can't do pullovers. (I did them when I was young, up to 150 pounds with a barbell, but did it make my ribcage bigger and build massive lats? Not really; I get better development from chins and rows and stiff-arm pulldowns---but that's me).

My only answer to this is give them a shot and see where it leads; if you find that it's a good movement for you then run with it; if not, there are a lot of other back movements you can do. Just my two yen...

[_AF_]

don't do the pullovers too heavy if you're trying to expand the ribcage, do them light for higher reps

look up breathing squats.

guys used to superset squats and pullovers

[IronLyfe]

Originally Posted by GuyJin

------------

What I mean by "boxy" is that if one has a naturally "thick" or wide waist (as I do) then having a bigger ribcage can give the illusion of greater width in the torso near the waistline (if that makes any sense) hence the "boxy" look sometimes ascribed to some famous bodybuilders in the past. Rich Gaspari comes to mind. I don't know if he ever did pullovers, BTW, but his waist, while muscular, was somewhat wide and even though he had a very thick back and fully developed shoulders, he always looked narrower and "boxy" (a term used by the bodybuilding writers of that time) than a guy like Lee Haney, who had a very narrow waist AND also had a pretty big ribcage. (Plus a massive chest and a huge back and huge shoulders and...). Was Gaspari a great bodybuilder? Sure he was; he almost won the O a few times and did win a number of other big titles. But he never looked as aesthetic as Haney and Labrada did, mainly because he looked (and was) wider in the waistline than the two other guys I mentioned. I say this with no disrespect; just pointing out that we all have different looks and different structures, and some of us have a good structure that makes us look bigger and some have a structure that makes us look wider (even with low bodyfat).

It really all depends if you have narrow of wide hipbones. JR, I remember you posted a pic a while back and it looked to me that you had a naturally narrow waist-hip structure. In your case, if you did pullovers and kept your bodyfat low, you'd still look lean and more aesthetic than me no matter what you did, mainly because the pullovers wouldn't spoil your aesthetics. In my case, when I dieted down in the past and had very little fat around the waistline, I STILL looked "thick" because I simply don't have a narrow waist-hip structure. Just the way it is. In my case, if I want to look more proportionate, I can't do pullovers. (I did them when I was young, up to 150 pounds with a barbell, but did it make my ribcage bigger and build massive lats? Not really; I get better development from chins and rows and stiff-arm pulldowns---but that's me).

My only answer to this is give them a shot and see where it leads; if you find that it's a good movement for you then run with it; if not, there are a lot of other back movements you can do. Just my two yen...

vince gironda believed they pullovers thicken the waist too..

[srodge@hotmail.]

Yes when startin out this did expand my rib cage as the trainer recommended i still do these once in a while for stretchin it out great exercise

[JOSEF RAKICH]

Originally Posted by GuyJin

------------

What I mean by "boxy" is that if one has a naturally "thick" or wide waist (as I do) then having a bigger ribcage can give the illusion of greater width in the torso near the waistline (if that makes any sense) hence the "boxy" look sometimes ascribed to some famous bodybuilders in the past. Rich Gaspari comes to mind. I don't know if he ever did pullovers, BTW, but his waist, while muscular, was somewhat wide and even though he had a very thick back and fully developed shoulders, he always looked narrower and "boxy" (a term used by the bodybuilding writers of that time) than a guy like Lee Haney, who had a very narrow waist AND also had a pretty big ribcage. (Plus a massive chest and a huge back and huge shoulders and...). Was Gaspari a great bodybuilder? Sure he was; he almost won the O a few times and did win a number of other big titles. But he never looked as aesthetic as Haney and Labrada did, mainly because he looked (and was) wider in the waistline than the two other guys I mentioned. I say this with no disrespect; just pointing out that we all have different looks and different structures, and some of us have a good structure that makes us look bigger and some have a structure that makes us look wider (even with low bodyfat).

It really all depends if you have narrow of wide hipbones. JR, I remember you posted a pic a while back and it looked to me that you had a naturally narrow waist-hip structure. In your case, if you did pullovers and kept your bodyfat low, you'd still look lean and more aesthetic than me no matter what you did, mainly because the pullovers wouldn't spoil your aesthetics. In my case, when I dieted down in the past and had very little fat around the waistline, I STILL looked "thick" because I simply don't have a narrow waist-hip structure. Just the way it is. In my case, if I want to look more proportionate, I can't do pullovers. (I did them when I was young, up to 150 pounds with a barbell, but did it make my ribcage bigger and build massive lats? Not really; I get better development from chins and rows and stiff-arm pulldowns---but that's me).

My only answer to this is give them a shot and see where it leads; if you find that it's a good movement for you then run with it; if not, there are a lot of other back movements you can do. Just my two yen...

If anything i thought having a bigger rib cage would give the illusion of the waist to appear smaller and help with the V-Taper which would be good for aesthetics. In this pic of Rich Gaspari his big rib cage makes his waist look smaller if anything IMO, also helps with his V-Taper having a expanded rib cage.



Same with guys Brian Buchanan, his big rib cage gives the illusion of a smaller waist and helps with the V-Taper, making him more aesthetic.



Yeah my hips are quite narrow/small but do you actually think pull-overs will somewhat spoil aesthetics? I have been doing pull-overs quite a bit lately, but not long enough to relly notice anything, i will see how it goes though, thanks for the post.

Reps, but im pretty sure i alredy repped you yesterday lol.

Originally Posted by _AF_

don't do the pullovers too heavy if you're trying to expand the ribcage, do them light for higher reps

look up breathing squats.

guys used to superset squats and pullovers

What lol?

Originally Posted by IronLyfe

vince gironda believed they pullovers thicken the waist too..

Relly, why am i the only who thinks a bigger rib cage would give the illusion of a smaller waist, and help create a good V-Taper?

Originally Posted by srodge@hotmail.

Yes when startin out this did expand my rib cage as the trainer recommended i still do these once in a while for stretchin it out great exercise

Did you find it thickened your waist or helped the illusion of a smaller waist with a greater V-Taper?

[JOSEF RAKICH]

Opinions on an expanded rib cage, do you think it helps with aesthetics, or makes it worse?

[-Lucifer]

I just started doing dumbbell pullovers today. Let's see how it goes.

Will report back after 4 weeks.

[Karaim]

Originally Posted by -Lucifer

There's an article on T-nation. Search.

According to that article, you might be able to expand your rib cage, when you're between 10-15 years of age.

I think this is the article you're referring to: http://www.tmuscle.com/free_online_a...482930C3.hydra

It's a good read

[-Lucifer]

Originally Posted by Karaim

I think this is the article you're referring to: http://www.tmuscle.com/free_online_a...482930C3.hydra
It's a good read

That's the one. Cheers for finding it.

[porcupinetree]

Cartilege does stretch.
When I took a flexability class in college, I got within a few inches of doing the splits, which was pretty surprising for me. The class ended and the teacher told me that my muscles wouldn't stretch anymore, but I needed to stretch my cartilege. It would take time, but if I kept it up, I would be able to do the full splits when my cartilege stretched.

My whole bone structure is different now than when I started. I did a lot of wide grip chins and that puts pressure on the scapula and the cartilege around that stretches, and allows the back to be wider.
I did pullovers for 5 years and my rib cage cartilege stretched.

There are a lot of things that science tells me that I don't buy into. Read this for an example: http://www.kingmaker.net/DeadDoctorstxt.html

The one line I just love to hear so often is "Experts shocked!"

[imasavage]

Originally Posted by JOSEF RAKICH

Opinions on an expanded rib cage, do you think it helps with aesthetics, or makes it worse?

Helps, greatly. All the older (golden age) bodybuilders use to do it, and they were known for their V taper.

It's known as the "upper body squat" because of the muscles it targets. However, it doesn't necessarily thicken the waist, so what you are left with is a higher chest, stronger lats, and better developed serratus.

[JOSEF RAKICH]

Originally Posted by -Lucifer

I just started doing dumbbell pullovers today. Let's see how it goes.

Will report back after 4 weeks.

Sweet brah, let me know how it goes.

Originally Posted by Karaim

I think this is the article you're referring to: http://www.tmuscle.com/free_online_a...482930C3.hydra

It's a good read

Thanks, ill take a read of that.

Originally Posted by porcupinetree

Cartilege does stretch.
When I took a flexability class in college, I got within a few inches of doing the splits, which was pretty surprising for me. The class ended and the teacher told me that my muscles wouldn't stretch anymore, but I needed to stretch my cartilege. It would take time, but if I kept it up, I would be able to do the full splits when my cartilege stretched.

My whole bone structure is different now than when I started. I did a lot of wide grip chins and that puts pressure on the scapula and the cartilege around that stretches, and allows the back to be wider.
I did pullovers for 5 years and my rib cage cartilege stretched.

There are a lot of things that science tells me that I don't buy into. Read this for an example: http://www.kingmaker.net/DeadDoctorstxt.html

The one line I just love to hear so often is "Experts shocked!"

Thanks for the post man, do you think having a expanded rib cage helps with aesthetics and helps create a good V-Taper, or do you belive it gives the effect of an expanded waist?

Originally Posted by imasavage

Helps, greatly. All the older (golden age) bodybuilders use to do it, and they were known for their V taper.

It's known as the "upper body squat" because of the muscles it targets. However, it doesn't necessarily thicken the waist, so what you are left with is a higher chest, stronger lats, and better developed serratus.

Very true, deffently a old school exercise, Arnold, Frank, all used them, ill keep doing them hopefully its for the best aesthetic wise.

Thanks.

[JohnSmeton]

Originally Posted by JOSEF RAKICH

If anything i thought having a bigger rib cage would give the illusion of the waist to appear smaller and help with the V-Taper which would be good for aesthetics. In this pic of Rich Gaspari his big rib cage makes his waist look smaller if anything IMO, also helps with his V-Taper having a expanded rib cage.



Same with guys Brian Buchanan, his big rib cage gives the illusion of a smaller waist and helps with the V-Taper, making him more aesthetic.



Yeah my hips are quite narrow/small but do you actually think pull-overs will somewhat spoil aesthetics? I have been doing pull-overs quite a bit lately, but not long enough to relly notice anything, i will see how it goes though, thanks for the post.

Reps, but im pretty sure i alredy repped you yesterday lol.



What lol?



Relly, why am i the only who thinks a bigger rib cage would give the illusion of a smaller waist, and help create a good V-Taper?



Did you find it thickened your waist or helped the illusion of a smaller waist with a greater V-Taper?

This makes sense. I have Arnold's Modern Encyclopedia and I think he might state something like you just stated in it.(pullovers help the chest appear higher and waist smaller and allows for more air.. I dont know) Do not quote me on it though. It has been 5 plus years since I read it.

interesting stuff none the less