Corsets? Contest Prep? V-Taper? What?
If you've read my blog when I'm in rant mode about the practices of some, or rather, apparently many, contest prep coaches, you already know that it's not just that I'm not impressed; it's also that some of these recommended program practices are just ... out to lunch.
I've ranted and raved about the insane amounts of cardio so common in contest prep circles today more than once ... and there's another one coming, but not today. We've all seen and heard that kind of thing already. No, today, I'm going to talk about something I've never heard before ... until a recent conversation with a client of mine. And I bet many of you haven't either ...
What nonsense am I talking about this time? The use of 'full body wraps' as I've been told they're called. What? Are you as perplexed as I am?
Well, 'supposedly' if you wear one of these 'corset-type' full body wraps to sleep every night and for many hours during the day, it will help create the much-sought-after V-taper, by pulling your waist in, thus getting your lats to appear as if they 'pop' more.
Let's stop for a minute and let that sink in for a minute ...
And no, I'm not kidding either.
Is it just me, or does this sound absolutely ridiculous? Never mind boiling chicken breast, drinking distilled water, eating four different foods on a pre-contest diet, eating only orange roughy and tilapia or some other white fish in lieu of chicken because it' has too much fat or cutting sodium two years out. I think this is the most nonsensical thing I've ever come across.
This is the solution to a lack of a good shoulder-to-waist taper? Corsets? What happened to building a bigger back next off season? Most contest ready people that lack V-taper don't lack it because they need a smaller waist. That's not going to be the ticket to lats that 'pop' more. Their problem tends to be a lack of good lat development.
Corsets? Come on!!
Waists can only get so small. What happens when you take the corset off? Your waist has permanently shrunk? From the loss of what exactly? More fat? Can 't be that since we're talking contest-ready body fat levels. Loss of ... localized water? No, and even if it were, that'd be a short-term, transitory effect at best. Muscle loss? From the waist? Yes, because that's the problem with your 24 inch waist – you carry too much muscle there. Redistribution of internal organs? That sounds ... wonderful.
How about some possible drawbacks?
"The most notable is Glenard's disease with is caused by prolonged corset use and is characterized by decreased abdominal muscle tone, visceral displacement and atrophy in the abdominal wall. Other risks include compression of the chest cavity that can deform the stomach and liver, decreased lung capacity, intercostal breathing and physical deformities. Downward pressure on the abdomen can result in unsightly bulges or an abdominal skirt - a band of stomach tissue that folds over the top of itself."
It amazes me what people will buy into. So you see a few people that place well at shows and you find out they wear full body wraps to get that taper to pop. That's the ticket. Nah, it couldn't be because they simply had the best physique that day with or without a corset as a secret weapon could it? Couldn't be that they did well and had a nice taper and a tight waist due to diet and training could it? Couldn't be they had the 'look' in spite of this ridiculous idea rather than because of it could it?
I'm going to start wearing a full body wrap. I better look better when I take it off. V-taper here I come.I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I think this is a bit silly.
What are some of the seemingly 'odd' things you've heard people do while prepping for a contest?
Posted Jan 01, 2010 by Erik Ledin.
Erik Ledin
President of Lean Bodies Consulting, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Certified Sports Nutritionist (CISSN), Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT), and Certified Kinesiologist (CK)
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Comments for This Entry
LOL...love this one erik!
Ha! Ha! That is a good one. The sad thing is that I know a couple of girls that had that done before their competition. I asked them if it made any difference and they said no. What a waste of money!!
I sat here with my jaw dropping.. omgosh, someone really recommends that!
Hahahahaha. That has got to be one of the most ratarded things I've ever heard. LOL
lol. I knew this one was coming. Perhaps they should allow the wearing of corsets DURING the competition. :)
Not only is it crazy that someone would recommend that,I can't believe someone would actually do it. LOL
You mean this DOESN'T work?
But what about all those corset-wearing girls that got pro cards?????
I was actually thinking of buying one. NOT to fix my V taper, but to prevent myself from eating too much at Christmas dinner ROFLMAO
Dean Mcternan - -nabba Mr. Britain. Waist 5" smaller in one year at a lean weight 25 lb heavier. Wearing a neoprene "sweat" band around his waist for his contest prep. Not a body wrap (not sure what that is) George Farah a proponent of this. I can get you the testimonial if you like from dean as we are good friends. It does sound crazy...but also works. .just like corsets were used and still are to decrease waist size. . .
Erik, can I pick your brain about your site. . .like your design.
Great blog post. I always love how you keep it real. Amazing what some people convince their clients to do.
Eric, whatever. LOL
There are four options:
1. Fat loss
2. Muscle loss
3. Water loss
4. Redistribution of internal organs
Dean doesn't have a small waist now so if it's 5 inches smaller it must have been atrociously big before. Who cares if George Farah is a proponent? LOL I could say that Jenny Henderschott is a proponent of 3-4 hours of cardio per day. Doesn't make it any better a concept.
Email me about the site if you'd like.
Thanks, I will give you a bell. Will still not write off the possibility that it works until someone shows me some evidence otherwise. People's waists are permanently smaller with corsets; even when they are not being worn. .why not on a bodybuilder?
My point was that it's a stupid practice to resort to trying to force internal organ redistribution to create a better v-taper for a figure competition. Take an off season and build a back for crying out loud.
Does this sound like some really great effects?
"The most notable is Glenard's disease with is caused by prolonged corset use and is characterized by decreased abdominal muscle tone, visceral displacement and atrophy in the abdominal wall. Other risks include compression of the chest cavity that can deform the stomach and liver, decreased lung capacity, intercostal breathing and physical deformities. Downward pressure on the abdomen can result in unsightly bulges or an abdominal skirt - a band of stomach tissue that folds over the top of itself."
I agree 100% with you on the health part, I also know that male bodybuilders would even eat a corset whole if they thought it would help them win. And that includes guys doing local shows haha:) Have you read Anatomy Trains by Thomas Myers? Great book. . .you might like.
LOL Erik, I think the funniest thing to date I have heard is women sitting on heating pads to melt the fat off their rears.
I did watch a video where Valerie Waugaman used a full body wrap, like a mud wrap, but it was a one day thing and she said it was supposed to pull impurities and extra water out from under the skin and tighten the skin up. I have since asked around about it lol, only to get some very confused looks. :s
Your right though, wearing a corset is a stupid idea.
LOL Sandi It may work for keeping one from eating too much haha.
mmmm...I don't like it if my pants are tight this seems like something out of the midevil times..Oh wait it is hence why we don't do it anymore
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