| We're all familiar with the expression, "a body like a | | | | sculptor makes a statue, does he do exactly the |
| Greek god," but what exactly does this mean? What | | | | same kind of work on it for months on end? Of |
| was the Grecian ideal physique, and what did it take | | | | course not. He uses a whole range of tools and |
| to achieve? | | | | techniques, each one at the correct time. He begins |
| Contrary to what some might think, the Grecian ideal | | | | with a block of stone and carves out the basic |
| body was not a bodybuilding physique. The perfect | | | | shape, then he adds more detail, and finally he |
| body was not massive and "ripped" like Mr. Universe. | | | | polishes it. |
| Looking at Greek statues, one can see that the | | | | To get the Grecian ideal body, you should phase your |
| Grecian ideal body looked like a swimmer's or a | | | | training in a similar way. The first stage is to develop |
| boxer's body. | | | | your basic V-shape, in other words wide shoulders |
| The most important thing about the Grecian ideal | | | | and narrow waist. Once that is achieved, start paying |
| physique is that everything is in perfect proportion. | | | | more attention to details like individual body parts. |
| The shoulders should be considerably wider than the | | | | And once all your parts match the ideal proportions, |
| waistline, for instance. And the arms, neck and calves | | | | you should switch your focus to increasing definition |
| should be similar in size. There's also a relationship | | | | and putting the finishing touches on your body. At |
| between the size of the thighs and the neck, and so | | | | the end, your muscles and skin will shine just like a |
| on. | | | | Grecian statue. |
| Many modern bodybuilders have certainly got very | | | | A mistake many people make is they jump into the |
| impressive and strong physiques, but they are too | | | | final phase too soon. They try polishing their body |
| big to have the Grecian ideal body. The proportions | | | | with so-called "toning" and "defining" exercises before |
| just don't match. | | | | they have even got the basic shape right. That |
| So how do you get the Grecian ideal physique? Well, | | | | would be like a sculptor trying to turn a block of |
| if you want a body like a statue, you should start to | | | | stone into a finished statue using only sandpaper. |
| think like a sculptor! Instead of hammers, chisels, | | | | Would it ever work? I doubt it. But even if it did |
| rasps and sandpaper, you will use weights, cardio and | | | | work, it would take a lot longer than if he had gone |
| nutrition as your tools. | | | | about it the right way. |
| The concept of phasing is very important. When a | | | | |