“Strapping IN or Not”

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“Strapping IN or Not”

Details: Published on Tuesday, 05 July 2011 20:14; Written by Matt Christianer CPT: IFBB MP Pro

Bodybuilding by definition is just that, building strapped

one’s body. On the other hand, Men’s physique is just that a physique contest. While the merits of both can be argued and believe me they have been. I wanted to touch on one aspect of training that may seem small and obscure but speaks volumes when achieving one’s goals in the different divisions of the NPC and IFBB.

Top Amateurs like Dusty Hanshaw and Steve Kuclo use straps because the ability to lift more weight builds more muscle. The equation is really simple, the heavier the weight the more the muscle breaks and the bigger it becomes. Ergo, the structure of a bodybuilder is much different than that of a men’s physique competitor. One aspect is that men’s physique is about overall structure versus bodybuilding is about symmetry and size. To the outsider, there may be little to no difference but to me I found out very quickly the difference.

As many of you know, I started out competing as a bodybuilder. I competed locally and nationally and fell in love with competing. I did well and continued to work my a$$ off for the stage to prove to myself that I had what it takes. Then one day I heard grumblings of a “Physique” division. My interests were instantly peaked. I listened to the “bro network” and the “word on the street” was that it would be right up my alley. So what does all this have to do with lifting straps?

Going back to the muscle building equation, the more you lift the bigger you get right? Well with straps you’re able to lift more while taking the pressure off the wrist and some of the joints and you’re able to surpass your own one rep max. When I decided to compete in the physique division I decided that the judges were not looking for mass but for structure, flow, and symmetry (but on a smaller scale). When I started training I threw my straps in the trash can. Why you ask? Because I wanted to focus on the range of motion that allowed the max flow of my muscles and what worked for my body. Am I saying that straps are useless? Absolutely not, they are in valuable tool, for various programs but for ME, I wanted to improve my physique by letting my stability and core take over and streamline my look.

This method paid dividends and my physique transformed from that of a middleweight bodybuilder to that of a Men’s Physique contestant. Is it all because of the straps? OH NO, did they play a part as well? YES. I’ll leave you with this, after my last shoot with Bill Comstock (Thanks again Bill for a great shoot), I was asked by a fan, how much I weighed in the shoot. They guessed 190-200, I laughed and said, I was 165. That’s pretty much what in my opinion Men’s Physique is and what straps did for me, it allowed me to continue developing my physique into a competitive machine that looks forward to Jon Lindsay’s Grand Prix for the first ever IFBB Men’s Physique show. I will continue to look for ways to enhance my physique and be as competitive as I can be against some of the greatest guys in the business. Until next time, thanks for taking the time to read this and make sure you get your “Swoll” on….

Matt

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“Strapping IN or Not”

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