Tim Wescott - Developing A V-Taper: A Full Upper Body Plan!

[webmaster]

One of the main things that make a bodybuilder stand out in a crowd, in my humble opinion, is the V-shape taper! Want to improve your V-taper? Outlined below is a 3 pronged attack on building a great upper body!

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/develop_v_taper.htm

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[rocketman44]

Good article...interesting point made about the obliques.

[GabrielBlack]

What was said about carrying your sport around with you is so true! I never thought of it that way.
I definately have to get me a chin-up bar!

[revoke]

Good article on the V-taper.

I couldn't agree more with the following statement:

"What with the advent of "The Bigger Is Better" syndrome in today's bodybuilding world, many people forget about aesthetics when perusing the challenge of building a formidable physique. Now I'm not saying that one of your goals shouldn't be to try and get bigger, but I am saying that you shouldn't sacrifice symmetry, and proportion, in the process."

This is one true statement: don't sacrifice symmetry. I prefer symmetry over size and actually like the tiny waists and sweeping V's of yesteryear - Frank Zane, Vince Gironda, Arnold, etc. -- versus the giant "quadzillas" and "bulksters" of today.

My question here is, who is the bodybuilder in the photo at the beginning of Tim Wescott's article? That is one impressively tiny waist, and a near perfect V. It reminds me of the classic physiques, not the giants of today. Anybody know who that is?

[aborum89]

Originally Posted by revoke

Good article on the V-taper.

I couldn't agree more with the following statement:

"What with the advent of "The Bigger Is Better" syndrome in today's bodybuilding world, many people forget about aesthetics when perusing the challenge of building a formidable physique. Now I'm not saying that one of your goals shouldn't be to try and get bigger, but I am saying that you shouldn't sacrifice symmetry, and proportion, in the process."

This is one true statement: don't sacrifice symmetry. I prefer symmetry over size and actually like the tiny waists and sweeping V's of yesteryear - Frank Zane, Vince Gironda, Arnold, etc. -- versus the giant "quadzillas" and "bulksters" of today.

My question here is, who is the bodybuilder in the photo at the beginning of Tim Wescott's article? That is one impressively tiny waist, and a near perfect V. It reminds me of the classic physiques, not the giants of today. Anybody know who that is?

It's Lee Haney. He has an incredibly tiny waste.

[revoke]

Originally Posted by aborum89

It's Lee Haney. He has an incredibly tiny waste.

I thought it might be Lee, but he looked a little smaller in that photo (as far a bulk goes) than I've seen Lee pictured in the past (such as in his later Olympia runs). Maybe it is an older/younger photo of him.

Still impressive nonetheless.

Thanks for the reply.... I may have to look up some of Lee's old workouts now.

-Rev.

[revoke]

Well, my curiosity got the better of me, as the picture in the article just didn't look quite like Lee Haney to me.

Ran across these sites featuring Brian Buchanan:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/wotw8.htm
http://www.bodybuildingpro.com/brianbuchanan.html

..and both use the same photo as in the article. Mystery solved.

Brian is also featured on page 42 of the June 2008 MuscleMag, where it describes his just under 30" waist and 55" chest. Wow!!!

Brain won quite a few competitions in his day, but his most impressive finish was probably 1988 at the Olympia where he finished second to -- you guessed it -- Lee Haney.

I don't think there are too many of us out there that can develop a waist that small. I guess that means working those lats and delts extra hard.

-Rev.