How to get a Swimmers Build?

PumaKrieg


As a former swimmer I used to be told when i was skinnier that I had a true "swimmers body" even when i hardly had any muscle. From what I was told it's simply having broad shoulders especially in comparison to your waist. The back appears to grow somewhat decently (in comparison to everything else from swimming which doesn't appear to) from swimming and we did pull ups a lot which which have been shown to increase swimming performance. Working back and nothing else will probably give you that appearance you are looking thinking of however you could build a much better, balanced build from weightlifting.

That's what I said in the first place and, as usual, nobody shows any respect.  :(  Big shoulders, wide lats.  Work on those and SWIM like a fish!
 
It's another "functional strength" look, probably.  People probably prefer looking at someone that looks athletic, meaning they actually use their body to perform.  Many people probably view the bodybuilder look, which I'm working on, as over the top and ridiculous.  A looks that's for looks only.
 
Speaking of functional strength, I think it's fun to look at the bodies of athletes in different sports and even different positions in sports such as football, cycling, swimming (different strokes), etc.  My sister-in-law competed and coached in rowing.  Those athletes are all back, (probably biceps too, but don't remember that), and legs.  They look kind of weird until you realize the muscles they need to perform their sport.
 
Off topic, but I saw the classical violist Joshua Bell perform on TV over the weekend.  They were commenting about how his experience as an athlete (and his considerable time playing video games, he's has a world record in some game) has helped him in his rather physical playing of the violin.  I thought it was fascinating.  Muscular strength translates far and wide!

JMBS

PumaKrieg


As a former swimmer I used to be told when i was skinnier that I had a true "swimmers body" even when i hardly had any muscle. From what I was told it's simply having broad shoulders especially in comparison to your waist. The back appears to grow somewhat decently (in comparison to everything else from swimming which doesn't appear to) from swimming and we did pull ups a lot which which have been shown to increase swimming performance. Working back and nothing else will probably give you that appearance you are looking thinking of however you could build a much better, balanced build from weightlifting.

That's what I said in the first place and, as usual, nobody shows any respect.  :(  Big shoulders, wide lats.  Work on those and SWIM like a fish!
 
It's another "functional strength" look, probably.  People probably prefer looking at someone that looks athletic, meaning they actually use their body to perform.  Many people probably view the bodybuilder look, which I'm working on, as over the top and ridiculous.  A looks that's for looks only.
 
Speaking of functional strength, I think it's fun to look at the bodies of athletes in different sports and even different positions in sports such as football, cycling, swimming (different strokes), etc.  My sister-in-law competed and coached in rowing.  Those athletes are all back, (probably biceps too, but don't remember that), and legs.  They look kind of weird until you realize the muscles they need to perform their sport.
 
Off topic, but I saw the classical violist Joshua Bell perform on TV over the weekend.  They were commenting about how his experience as an athlete (and his considerable time playing video games, he's has a world record in some game) has helped him in his rather physical playing of the violin.  I thought it was fascinating.  Muscular strength translates far and wide!

Don't look at it as me disrespecting you rather chiming in and agreeing with you.

Back in the day when my step dad swam for IU, he did this:

Swam 4-6 hours per day (not all at once mind you)
Squats
Ate every minute
studied when not doing the above (pre med)


then the navy seals came and la de da.. marriage.. fat and out of shape.

JMBS

It's another "functional strength" look, probably.  People probably prefer looking at someone that looks athletic, meaning they actually use their body to perform.  Many people probably view the bodybuilder look, which I'm working on, as over the top and ridiculous.  A looks that's for looks only.

AHEM!

You forgot to mention "For causing large crowds of adoring females to congregate around you on the beach and grope your biceps while you pose Dave Draper style after kicking sand in the face of the bully who picked on you and stole your girlfriend last year."

It's good to be over the top and ridiculous.

My home away from DBB

veggeep

JMBS

It's another "functional strength" look, probably.  People probably prefer looking at someone that looks athletic, meaning they actually use their body to perform.  Many people probably view the bodybuilder look, which I'm working on, as over the top and ridiculous.  A looks that's for looks only.

AHEM!

You forgot to mention "For causing large crowds of adoring females to congregate around you on the beach and grope your biceps while you pose Dave Draper style after kicking sand in the face of the bully who picked on you and stole your girlfriend last year."

It's good to be over the top and ridiculous.

lol.  Thats why bodybuilding is homo.  ^^^

working on explosive phase
vertical: 35
weight: 206

Big 3: 300/440/515

Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.

RollingStone

veggeep

JMBS

It's another "functional strength" look, probably.  People probably prefer looking at someone that looks athletic, meaning they actually use their body to perform.  Many people probably view the bodybuilder look, which I'm working on, as over the top and ridiculous.  A looks that's for looks only.

AHEM!

You forgot to mention "For causing large crowds of adoring females to congregate around you on the beach and grope your biceps while you pose Dave Draper style after kicking sand in the face of the bully who picked on you and stole your girlfriend last year."

It's good to be over the top and ridiculous.

lol.  Thats why bodybuilding is homo.  ^^^

Lol. Classic.  And dam RS, 50 pullups in 1 set?

Bench: 70 Squat 135 Deadlift: 1??s 
Supps: Creatine, Multi, Fish Oils 

Jones's Log

That's it, RS.  You're getting a big ol' mug fulla sand.

Giving BB'ers guff on a board dedicated to body BUIIIIILLLLLDING.  Not body "functionalizing".  Not body "athletic improvementalizationali..." "improvementizat..."  F*** IT.  You know what I'm saying, you elitist BOOB!

I'm coming to your gym and replacing every last piece of equipment with Smith machines!

My home away from DBB

Come on, RS!  Take time to laugh at yourself once in a while and how whacked-out out of proportion what we do is.  Aren't we ALL guilty of a little ridiculosity and over-the-toppitude?  This hobby or sport or lifestyle or passion has its good points, but don't you ever just look at yourself in the mirror, double over, and bust a gut?  I know I do.  The time, energy, and thought we put into all of this can become a little extreme, imo, in the grand scheme of life.  Laughing, especially at yourself, will add quality years to your life, imo, probably far more happiness than from the hot body, good nutrition, and fitness combined.

PumaKrieg

Don't look at it as me disrespecting you rather chiming in and agreeing with you.

Thanks, man!  I really needed that.
 
Take....these broken wings....and learn to fly again....to live so free!  (Think that's how it goes)

I'm with RS on this one.  Doesn't mean I don't like you other guys, but training strictly for physique is homo.

"True genius, in many fields of human endeavor, is often revealed in elegant simplicity."

- A smart man

Journal: http://www.wannabebigforums.com/showthread.php?t=117358

brihead301


I'm with RS on this one.  Doesn't mean I don't like you other guys, but training strictly for physique is homo.

With due respect, I totally disagree.  In fact, there are many, many, many people who grew up feeling like they didn't measure up to the jocks who seemed to get all the girls.  It is that desire to look more attractive, not be stronger, or use that strength functionally, that motivates perhaps the majority of kids that take up weight training.  Look at the ads on TV for Bowflex, etc.  It's all about the sexy body, not the strong one for sports.  Give me a break, it's homo.  We all have different motivations and it just pains me to hear people calling into question others' motives.  I think building an attractive body to get noticed, even for that sole purpose, is perfectly natural.  To call it homo, IN MY OPINION, sounds somewhat immature.  Have you guys ever considered yourselves "ugly"?  If not, would you trade in your good looks for money, strength, whatever?  I doubt it.  In our culture looks can take you places.  Wanting to go places you see someone else going and you want to, makes you want be able to as well.
 
And what on earth is wrong with being homo?  I have far more respect for a homosexual than I have for a homophobe.  As long as you're lovin' (as long as nobody gets hurt) and not hatin', it's okay in my book.

JMBS

brihead301


I'm with RS on this one.  Doesn't mean I don't like you other guys, but training strictly for physique is homo.

With due respect, I totally disagree.  In fact, there are many, many, many people who grew up feeling like they didn't measure up to the jocks who seemed to get all the girls.  It is that desire to look more attractive, not be stronger, or use that strength functionally, that motivates perhaps the majority of kids that take up weight training.  Look at the ads on TV for Bowflex, etc.  It's all about the sexy body, not the strong one for sports.  Give me a break, it's homo.  We all have different motivations and it just pains me to hear people calling into question others' motives.  I think building an attractive body to get noticed, even for that sole purpose, is perfectly natural.  To call it homo, IN MY OPINION, sounds somewhat immature.  Have you guys ever considered yourselves "ugly"?  If not, would you trade in your good looks for money, strength, whatever?  I doubt it.  In our culture looks can take you places.  Wanting to go places you see someone else going and you want to, makes you want be able to as well.
 
And what on earth is wrong with being homo?  I have far more respect for a homosexual than I have for a homophobe.  As long as you're lovin' (as long as nobody gets hurt) and not hatin', it's okay in my book.

lol that's a pretty homo thing to say

HBF,
   Which part?  The whole thing?  Maybe it's the Streisand CDs.

JMBS


HBF,
   Which part?  The whole thing?  Maybe it's the Streisand CDs.

 A true bodybuilder dedicates his life to improving a perceived flaw in his physique.  Thats homo.

So more recreational forms of bodybuilding are just slightly homo.

haha yep.

working on explosive phase
vertical: 35
weight: 206

Big 3: 300/440/515

Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.

RollingStone

JMBS


HBF,
  Which part?  The whole thing?  Maybe it's the Streisand CDs.

A true bodybuilder dedicates his life to improving a perceived flaw in his physique.  Thats homo.

So more recreational forms of bodybuilding are just slightly homo.

haha yep.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you just measure yourself and discover, with glee, that you have the perfect Adonis ratio or whatever?  If you weren't concerned about your physique, why would you give a sh!t?  Because you want to be strong, in addition to building a nice looking body, makes you less "homo"?  I'm having trouble following the logic.

JMBS

RollingStone

JMBS


HBF,
  Which part?  The whole thing?  Maybe it's the Streisand CDs.

A true bodybuilder dedicates his life to improving a perceived flaw in his physique.  Thats homo.

So more recreational forms of bodybuilding are just slightly homo.

haha yep.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you just measure yourself and discover, with glee, that you have the perfect Adonis ratio or whatever?  If you weren't concerned about your physique, why would you give a sh!t?  Because you want to be strong, in addition to building a nice looking body, makes you less "homo"?  I'm having trouble following the logic.

I wasnt chasing the adonis ratio, I just have it.

Everyone cares how they look to some degree.  Bodybuilding just takes it to to a whole new dimension.

working on explosive phase
vertical: 35
weight: 206

Big 3: 300/440/515

Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.

RollingStone

JMBS

RollingStone

JMBS


HBF,
Which part?  The whole thing?  Maybe it's the Streisand CDs.

A true bodybuilder dedicates his life to improving a perceived flaw in his physique.  Thats homo.

So more recreational forms of bodybuilding are just slightly homo.

haha yep.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you just measure yourself and discover, with glee, that you have the perfect Adonis ratio or whatever?  If you weren't concerned about your physique, why would you give a sh!t?  Because you want to be strong, in addition to building a nice looking body, makes you less "homo"?  I'm having trouble following the logic.

I wasnt chasing the adonis ratio, I just have it.

Everyone cares how they look to some degree.  Bodybuilding just takes it to to a whole new dimension.

This is a BODYBUILDING forum!  Why are you spending so much time talking with a bunch of homos?!

This is me today on DBB:      

Well when I started, it was bodybuilding that interested me.  I learned so much here and I just know everyone.  Even while my goals have changed, I still like the forum.

working on explosive phase
vertical: 35
weight: 206

Big 3: 300/440/515

Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.

So you're a reformed homo, then? 

I like your honesty, RS, I really do.  I'm just getting  a slight "my way or the highway" vibe.  I find it refreshing that there are all different kinds of people.  I love 'em all, you included!  :)

We'll just agree to disagree.  :)

So then, RS, I'm sure you'll have no problem surrendering your incredibly homo abs while you pursue all that functional strength you deem so important?  I mean, let's face it, there are plenty of guys who can out-bench, out-squat, out-pass, out-punch, out-whatever you who haven't spent nearly the amount of time carving a sixpack as you have drooling over your reflection.  You don't need to look like an Abercrombie model to hold your own in an octagon, so what's YOUR excuse?  Seriously, the double standard here is so thick I could cut it with my johnson.

I don't know, maybe the phrase "homo" is just a generic term of derision with you kids these days, but if you really put that much emphasis on it in the literal sense, I'd have to say you're a LOT more preoccupied with gayness than any legitimately straight person I know.

However, since there is obviously no room in your adolescent grasp of social situations for the pursuit of a physical ideal absent any sound athletic reason for possessing one, I guess I'll just have to concede that all those women out there who drool over a guy with well-developed pecs and abs are all part of conspiracy theory aimed at getting all us guys to look better for each other.

Sorry ladies, you don't count anymore.  It is written in the gospel according to RollingStone that building a healthy, fit, muscular body serves only one end: to attract other men.

I guess Marc David should start selling DBB-branded rainbow bumper stickers.

My home away from DBB

Veg,
   Where do I mail you the five bucks?  Thanks man!

veggeep

I guess Marc David should start selling DBB-branded rainbow bumper stickers.

LMAO. Good one Veg!

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

MVP

veggeep

I guess Marc David should start selling DBB-branded rainbow bumper stickers.

LMAO. Good one Veg!

Sssssssssssssssspecial!

veggeep


So then, RS, I'm sure you'll have no problem surrendering your incredibly homo abs while you pursue all that functional strength you deem so important?  I mean, let's face it, there are plenty of guys who can out-bench, out-squat, out-pass, out-punch, out-whatever you who haven't spent nearly the amount of time carving a sixpack as you have drooling over your reflection.  You don't need to look like an Abercrombie model to hold your own in an octagon, so what's YOUR excuse?  Seriously, the double standard here is so thick I could cut it with my johnson.

I don't know, maybe the phrase "homo" is just a generic term of derision with you kids these days, but if you really put that much emphasis on it in the literal sense, I'd have to say you're a LOT more preoccupied with gayness than any legitimately straight person I know.

However, since there is obviously no room in your adolescent grasp of social situations for the pursuit of a physical ideal absent any sound athletic reason for possessing one, I guess I'll just have to concede that all those women out there who drool over a guy with well-developed pecs and abs are all part of conspiracy theory aimed at getting all us guys to look better for each other.

Sorry ladies, you don't count anymore.  It is written in the gospel according to RollingStone that building a healthy, fit, muscular body serves only one end: to attract other men.

I guess Marc David should start selling DBB-branded rainbow bumper stickers.

Youre not getting my point.  Its great to look nice, its good for the self-esteem, especially when it comes as an added side effect of being healthy, lean, and strong but lifting and dieting just for a look?  A bodybuilder doesnt just go into the gym for an hour every day or every other day, do their workout, and then stop thinking about bodybuilding for the day.  Its a freak sport and they have to be conscious 24/7 of what theyre doing to their body to get the best results.

Unless youre planning on becoming a pro bber, why lift for looks alone when you could lift for a real purpose and still look good. 

Its like youre lifting only for girls.  Which means...Im wrong using the word homo.  Maybe its some sexual frustration?  I dont get it.  But if you need to pound down protein shakes and hit the gym everyday to get ass...do it.

veggeep


AHEM!

You forgot to mention "For causing large crowds of adoring females to congregate around you on the beach and grope your biceps while you pose Dave Draper style after kicking sand in the face of the bully who picked on you and stole your girlfriend last year."

It's good to be over the top and ridiculous.

makes sense now that you would say that.  And thats why I think bodybuilding is more of a psych disorder than a sport.

working on explosive phase
vertical: 35
weight: 206

Big 3: 300/440/515

Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.

I have to agree with RS on this one to some degree. I also love this forum and the regulars here. I don't think body building is "homo." It's simply a decision and lots of lifting. I respect body builders.

BUT

Looking good only to not be stronger and better in real life isn't the greatest idea. Body builders only perform great in one place: the gym.

I like being fast, functionally strong, conditioned, and healthy. When I used to do the "get big and worry about nothing else," I always felt like ****. All I did was want muscle, but I realized I wasn't even that strong as I got heavier.

As far as the "they have to be conscious 24/7 of what they're doing" comment, I am always thinking about my training/diet. There isn't a time I'm not. I tried the idea of giving up everything and just living my life, but without this, I have no life. Call it obsession or whatever, but it's what I do and love to do.

I don't think it's possible to get bigger without stronger to some degree.

You grow from progressive overload, right? I know there's many forms of overload but I've never seen someone take their arms from 13" to 18" without adding weight to their lifts.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

MVP


I don't think it's possible to get bigger without stronger to some degree.

You grow from progressive overload, right? I know there's many forms of overload but I've never seen someone take their arms from 13" to 18" without adding weight to their lifts.

It's because I used the damn smith machine to squat, bench, and row. Hehe.

Training to be more athletic is cool.  Looking really good is an awesome side effect.  It is quite normal to become kinda vain, and really start to like your appearance as well after all the hard work you do.

Training for general fitness to stay in shape, look good, and attract the ladies is cool too.  Nothing wrong with that.

Now training to look like a bodybuilder, OTOH just doesn't make sense to me.  There's a difference between just looking good and ripped even, but to try and be 230 lbs. @ 5% bf at 5'10" is just kinda strange....that was my point.  I have a friend like this (he's been juicin for YEARS, and he is f***ing JACKED!!!!) He walks around with his shirt off all the time, and shows it off....I don't get that.

Now if you plan on stepping on the bodybuilding stage, then that's another story....do whatcha gotta do.  But if you don't plan on stepping on stage, why would you want to look like Arnold?  THAT is what I meant.  I don't mean to offend anyone, it just doesn't make sense to me.

"True genius, in many fields of human endeavor, is often revealed in elegant simplicity."

- A smart man

Journal: http://www.wannabebigforums.com/showthread.php?t=117358

I think many of you are pigeon holing the term bodybuilder too much.  Sure there are those big hulking guys you refer to.  I think they're unattractive and don't understand them harming themselves if they're juicing.  But how many guys like that are on this forum?  Bodybuilding to me means building the body in an aesthetically appealing way.  With that, more often than not I think, comes strength, fitness, and health.  I don't think many of us are in it for looks alone.  If I were I'd be willing to go on the gear, getting liposuction and implants.  It is the whole package.  But if you are talking about 5'8" 230 pounders with 5%bf, who on this forum matches that description?

But I have to be honest.  Am I happier at the end of the day because I notice my delts getting bigger or that I can press 20 more pounds?  Bigger delts for me, please!