View Full Version : What DON'T You Train?
I am very curious to know what muscle group(s) you avoid training as well as what exercises you do not do.
For example, do you avoid free weight squats or deadlifts because you don't want a thicker mid-section? Or do you not train biceps or triceps because they overpower your delts?
I realize that every physique is different, but I'd love to hear your experiences and opinions about this!
Thanks. :)
Shelly
03-07-2008, 12:30 PM
i avoid ALL chest besides push ups at this point due to my fake boobs LOL i screwed them up training chest too hard and they are too expensive to have redone time and time again!!! so i avoid it and will do LIGHT chest close to showtime....
besides that i prefer the basics... deadlifts, squats, Db's and BB's over machines. it forces you to perfect your movements and you can isolate each side of your body better.
and every other muscle group i train hard and heavy right now. no one body part overpowers another on me so i need to kill every exercise and rep, and i focus on form 110%-- slow negatives, static holds, etc... sometimes it is NOT about weight but form will prevail in making proper gains....
fitmomma3
03-07-2008, 12:55 PM
I use to avoid deads due to the waist theory but I've incorporated them because I LOVE them for strength and thickness I don't do them each week but sometimes. I did have a point where I only lightly trained arms until my shoulders caught up... other than that I don't avoid ANYTHING I'm young, injury free, and need overall mass so nothings off limits... although I do go lighter on chest due to the same reason as the twins. And I never flat barbell bench anymore.
ripitupbaby
03-07-2008, 01:12 PM
I don't avoid much. I take it easy on weighted ab exercises, particularly obliques, to keep the waist from getting thick. I cut WAY back on my oblique work last year and it definitely made a difference.
The only thing I don't specifically train is my forearms because I get plenty of forearm work by gripping heavy barbells and dumbells.
I pretty much train everything, although I don't do much for abs in the off-season, and calves well I take those half @$$ because they are already HUGE!
Thank you all very much for your replies!
Shelly/Betsy (?) :) -- Do you feel that not training chest is a disadvantage to your physique in any way? I have read about other figure girls who don't train their chests either and, though I don't have implants, I have wondered about the efficacy of training chest and whether I would be better off adding a second day for one of my lagging muscle groups in place of chest training. I guess another way to ask would be if you did not have your implants would you train chest any differently than you do now? Any thoughts?
Fitmomma -- I'd love to hear your input on the chest training question I asked the twins as well! I think I'm in the same place you used to be (my delts are just too small compared to my arms) so I did not train them for a few months, but I love the look and feel of a good arm pump so it was hard to resist! lol I'm back to training arms now, but still just find that my shoulders have not caught up, unfortunately!
Lori -- Did you ever have to build your abs up with weighted work in your previous years of training (and you are cutting back because they're now where you want them to be)?
SBT -- Are your calves a genetic "gift" or have you had to really work hard to build them up?
Once again, I appreciate you all taking the time to answer my questions!!! :)
fitmomma3
03-07-2008, 02:39 PM
I personally would train chest normal and heavy without implants I believe the chest shoulder tie in is essential to a great physique and when you get lean I like the chest lines... plus basic bench is a great strength ex. I have to continue with flys, crossovers, and some moderate chest work as I felt a difference when I didn't train it at all...
Arms get hit indirectly from most upper body movements... but you can train them quick to get a good pump but not too heavy until your shoulders catch up... you can always add an extra shoulder day too to prioritize.
ripitupbaby
03-07-2008, 02:58 PM
Thank you all very much for your replies!
Lori -- Did you ever have to build your abs up with weighted work in your previous years of training (and you are cutting back because they're now where you want them to be)?
I should clarify...I do some weighted ab exercises for the abs themselves (i.e. the six pack) because I think it's necessary to get thickness in the abs, which I lack. But I stopped doing weighted oblique exercises a long time ago. My obliques were REALLY built up from doing weighted side bends and twistie stuff....and when I stopped doing them, my waist came in about two inches. Now I hardly do oblique work at all....maybe just some unweighted side bends every few weeks or so, that's about it. I think you hit the obliques enough when doing regular ab work, and also when doing other exercises that engage the core (like squats and lunges).
IslandGirl
03-07-2008, 03:06 PM
When I was competing in figure, I avoided doing traps and forearms.
But since I have switched to BB'ing...I don't avoid much.
When I DC train, I pick more compound movements, but now that I'm training more traditional style (for a couple of weeks) it's nice to include stuff like side laterals, cable crossovers, hyperextensions, shrugs, etc...
Shelly
03-07-2008, 03:09 PM
hey girl:
well honestly this is my first time not training chest, since NOV. I can still flex my pecs, lol so I have pretty strong chest muscles. But i know plenty of pros that dont train chest and it does not compromise their physiques in my opinion. Granted, you need to work the chest shoulder tie in, and there are excerises that do just that which i will incorporate in later on when i start dieting. but for now, i try and work my front delts to hit that as much as i can...and i dont think not having striations in my chest will make a difference on stage.
if u see the pic below ny chest is pretty prevalent... but this year we will see how it looks base don the fact that i will not be killing it in the gym!
hope this helped!
tstoke
03-07-2008, 03:11 PM
AMRS!! My arms are huge!
I've also been told that my traps are 'bulky' so I try to avoid those as much as possible...
TigerEyes
03-07-2008, 03:12 PM
I typically don't do any weighted ab exercises or any "side bending" exercises. I do mostly variations of leg raises, twisting exerciases, and anything functional that I need for my routine/gymnastics training.
Depending on how I"m looking, sometimes I only train back once every two weeks, and usually nothing that isolates the lats (mine are toooooo big to begin with...always have been, even as a gymnast)
I also usually stay away from very heavy arms because my arms will get too big compared to my shoulders.
My training almost always depends on how I am looking vs. how I need to look at that particular time. For example, if my legs look like they are losing size in comparison to my back, then I back off of back training a little bit.
One thing I NEVER go near is anything that directly involves the traps. Mine are huge already and I have never done a shrug in my life :shrug:
Shelly
03-07-2008, 03:14 PM
I typically don't do any weighted ab exercises or any "side bending" exercises. I do mostly variations of leg raises, twisting exerciases, and anything functional that I need for my routine/gymnastics training.
Depending on how I"m looking, sometimes I only train back once every two weeks, and usually nothing that isolates the lats (mine are toooooo big to begin with...always have been, even as a gymnast)
I also usually stay away from very heavy arms because my arms will get too big compared to my shoulders.
My training almost always depends on how I am looking vs. how I need to look at that particular time. For example, if my legs look like they are losing size in comparison to my back, then I back off of back training a little bit.
One thing I NEVER go near is anything that directly involves the traps. Mine are huge already and I have never done a shrug in my life :shrug:
LOL you are so cute... i wish i had that problem where my lats were TOO big!:o
Yeah no joke... I NEED some lats myself!! :)
TigerEyes
03-07-2008, 05:26 PM
My gymnastics coach (when I was in high school, before I ever touched a weight) used to tell me I look like a butterfly swimmer b/c of how big my back was. I was flat as a board and yet had the same "chest" measurement circumference as the girl on the team with the D-cups b/c my back was so wide, lol.
If you look at pictures from the very first show I did, all I had was lats. My legs (especially glutes and hamstrings) were soo small. Everything has now kind of caught up to my back, so I look a little more balanced. My back is still extremely wide in the off season....ask Alli and Joe from HDP...they couldn't believe it when we were doing the video over the weekend.
It's all genetic....
I always say, I think I am one of the only women in the world trying to make my booty bigger :ass:
dvsness
03-07-2008, 06:28 PM
I don't do any upper trap work (though I will work the lower), I rarely train medial or front delts (I'm trying to bring up my legs to get more of an X frame because I have a Y now), and I only do BW on calves for the most part.
Tami Bellon
03-07-2008, 08:34 PM
Abs - I train them maybe once a month and only if I have time at the end of a workout. ;) Calves are a different story (I still hate your calves, Shannon! lol)
Shelly
03-07-2008, 08:41 PM
I pretty much train everything, although I don't do much for abs in the off-season, and calves well I take those half @$$ because they are already HUGE!
:bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:
IslandGirl
03-07-2008, 10:09 PM
Abs - I train them maybe once a month and only if I have time at the end of a workout. ;) Calves are a different story (I still hate your calves, Shannon! lol)
Hey Tami! So great to have you here!!! :waving:
KP DIVA
03-08-2008, 03:32 AM
I don't train traps at all....what ever training they get is through delt and back work outs. I haven't done squats or leg press in over 8 months....was nervous but it worked to my advantage. I'll do high rep leg extension and that it's.
Abs - I train them maybe once a month and only if I have time at the end of a workout. ;) Calves are a different story (I still hate your calves, Shannon! lol)
Dear, I would swap you for your lats or quads any day :D
ibarramedia
03-09-2008, 03:12 AM
I typically don't do any weighted ab exercises or any "side bending" exercises. I do mostly variations of leg raises, twisting exerciases, and anything functional that I need for my routine/gymnastics training.
Depending on how I"m looking, sometimes I only train back once every two weeks, and usually nothing that isolates the lats (mine are toooooo big to begin with...always have been, even as a gymnast)
I also usually stay away from very heavy arms because my arms will get too big compared to my shoulders.
My training almost always depends on how I am looking vs. how I need to look at that particular time. For example, if my legs look like they are losing size in comparison to my back, then I back off of back training a little bit.
One thing I NEVER go near is anything that directly involves the traps. Mine are huge already and I have never done a shrug in my life :shrug:
You're awesome. i like your development. Do you have a pic with a lat spread? Most of the pics i've seen of you is with your abs.
ibarramedia
03-09-2008, 03:13 AM
I pretty much train everything, although I don't do much for abs in the off-season, and calves well I take those half @$$ because they are already HUGE!
How big are they 17-or 18? Any pics?
TigerEyes
03-09-2008, 04:00 AM
Thanks ibarramedia!
In most of my stage photos, my lats don't look overly big because I have had to learn to not completely flair them out when I pose (so that they don't overpower my lower body)...
But here are a few pics that show it...
First one is 6 weeks out from Team U
Second and Third are 1-week out from Team U
1024
1025
1026
Joe from HDP may have an off season one from over the weekend at the Arnold....:strong:
*Bunny*
03-09-2008, 04:07 AM
i avoid ALL chest ....
... sometimes it is NOT about weight but form will prevail in making proper gains....
DITTO , no direct chest work here. No way. ;)
I do agree with the 2nd part as well. :)
I also did not train abs last year for prep that I remember,I left that to diet.
ibarramedia
03-09-2008, 05:10 AM
Thanks ibarramedia!
In most of my stage photos, my lats don't look overly big because I have had to learn to not completely flair them out when I pose (so that they don't overpower my lower body)...
But here are a few pics that show it...
First one is 6 weeks out from Team U
Second and Third are 1-week out from Team U
1024
1025
1026
Joe from HDP may have an off season one from over the weekend at the Arnold....:strong:
Nice. Specially the 3rd picture.
*Bunny*
03-09-2008, 11:20 AM
1025
Eyes went directly to that ham split.
Great pics.
What a great back!
I forgot about traps, I was told no more direct trap work (I wasnt aware I did any to begin with). I havent shrugged in a long time.
Also no weighed side bends or oblique work. All too often do you have the gym members doing thus with heavy weights to 'get some abs'?
eek
Thank you so much for all of your replies!!! It's great to see the various ways people approach their training (which underscores the fact that everybody is different--well, except maybe Shelly and Betsy, lol) as well as the commonalities that exist because of some of the broader goals of physique competition. It's also cool to see people with such great development in certain muscle groups because it gives motivation to those of us who need to bring those areas up! :)
1026
I know this is all about your lats, lol, but my eyes go right to your DELTS in that pic--wow! :bowdown:
bree marsh
03-10-2008, 01:28 PM
i don't train forearms and don't do much for traps.
IslandGirl
03-10-2008, 01:47 PM
Thanks ibarramedia!
In most of my stage photos, my lats don't look overly big because I have had to learn to not completely flair them out when I pose (so that they don't overpower my lower body)...
But here are a few pics that show it...
First one is 6 weeks out from Team U
Second and Third are 1-week out from Team U
1024
1025
1026
Joe from HDP may have an off season one from over the weekend at the Arnold....:strong:
Great pictures Erin!!! Very impressive!
bree marsh
03-10-2008, 02:00 PM
i can't see erin's pics...booo!
Shelly
03-10-2008, 03:56 PM
i can't see erin's pics...booo!
me neither girl:mad:
*Bunny*
03-10-2008, 04:03 PM
i can't see erin's pics...booo!
me neither girl:mad:Really?
Here ya go
Erin I hope you dont mind.
These work?
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b134/xxmandivxx/Sioux/th_3-2.jpg (http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b134/xxmandivxx/Sioux/3-2.jpg)
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b134/xxmandivxx/Sioux/th_1weekoutTeamU-workoutandsuits041-1.jpg (http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b134/xxmandivxx/Sioux/1weekoutTeamU-workoutandsuits041-1.jpg)
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b134/xxmandivxx/Sioux/th_1weekoutTeamU-workoutandsuits008-2.jpg (http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b134/xxmandivxx/Sioux/1weekoutTeamU-workoutandsuits008-2.jpg)
Siouxcountry
03-10-2008, 05:25 PM
i can't see erin's pics...booo!
I had that problem too. It's a Vbulletin glitch.
You have to click on the photo, and log in again to see them.
Shelly
03-10-2008, 05:31 PM
yes Amand those worked thanks!!
HOLY HAMMIES!!
SandraWickham
03-10-2008, 07:10 PM
Hey Ladies! Nice to see y'all here, I just joined up...
I TOTALLY agree with Erin and never train weighted obliques. (how ya doin' Erin??!!) When I see girls doing weighted side bends etc it's really hard for me not to go up and give them my opinion......but I just bite my tongue...!
I don't train Calves....because they get worked out in my routine drill training with all the plyos. I find if I do try and train them they get so tight that I then can get my butt off the ground in my jumps........!!
DANISH DYNAMITE
03-10-2008, 10:08 PM
I NEVER train my obliques. I dont do deadlifts and I train my legs very rarely. Maximum once a month, but theres been times where I didnt train them at all. Right now I havent trained them since early december - same with calves.
DANISH DYNAMITE
03-10-2008, 10:21 PM
This the reason why I neednt train my legzz too much..
The pics are from december 2007. Offseason needless to say as I dont compete anymore.. just trying to keep in shape.
Shelly
03-10-2008, 11:50 PM
HOLY LEGS GIRL THEY LOOK AWESOME!
TigerEyes
03-11-2008, 02:24 AM
Holy moly...your legs are incredible!! Very impressive!!
IslandGirl
03-11-2008, 03:35 AM
I NEVER train my obliques. I dont do deadlifts and I train my legs very rarely. Maximum once a month, but theres been times where I didnt train them at all. Right now I havent trained them since early december - same with calves.
This the reason why I neednt train my legzz too much..
The pics are from december 2007. Offseason needless to say as I dont compete anymore.. just trying to keep in shape.
WOW!!!
Do you mind lending them to me for the USA's in July? I'll return them as soon as I'm done!!! ;)
Neely
03-11-2008, 10:25 AM
I haven't done any direct training on my arms for at least 8 months now.
Too bad my genetics didn't give me great legs like Helle! lol ;)
DANISH DYNAMITE
03-11-2008, 10:46 AM
WOW!!!
Do you mind lending them to me for the USA's in July? I'll return them as soon as I'm done!!! ;)
No problem! IŽll wrap then up and send them by airmail to you ASAP LOL
Just take care of them! Dont walk around too much on em;)
DANISH DYNAMITE
03-11-2008, 01:48 PM
HOLY LEGS GIRL THEY LOOK AWESOME!
Thank you girl!
DANISH DYNAMITE
03-11-2008, 01:49 PM
Holy moly...your legs are incredible!! Very impressive!!
Thanks Tigereyes! When r u competing again?
DANISH DYNAMITE
03-11-2008, 01:50 PM
I haven't done any direct training on my arms for at least 8 months now.
Too bad my genetics didn't give me great legs like Helle! lol ;)
Hey u just gotta work harder on them. I gotta work hard on my biŽs. Maybe we could swop once in a while;)
TigerEyes
03-11-2008, 04:57 PM
Helle, I'm competing in July at the Houston Pro...and then hopefully the Europa and Atlantic City Pro shows. I'm really excited for this year!
Congrats on the "pro of the week" definitely well-deserved! Your physique is absolutely amazing!
DANISH DYNAMITE
03-11-2008, 05:15 PM
Helle, I'm competing in July at the Houston Pro...and then hopefully the Europa and Atlantic City Pro shows. I'm really excited for this year!
Congrats on the "pro of the week" definitely well-deserved! Your physique is absolutely amazing!
Thank you very much. Wow that sounds cool with a lotta shows, just looked at your pictures, you look great! Good luck!
*Bunny*
03-11-2008, 11:19 PM
yes Amand those worked thanks!!
HOLY HAMMIES!!Welcome ;)
sixzebra
03-26-2008, 12:00 PM
I don't train bi's/tri's. They get enough of a workout from chest and back that they don't need it.
Lisa E
03-28-2008, 12:23 AM
IT IS THE ONLY BODY PART THAT I DO NOT HAVE TO DO. I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT AREA. HOWEVER, WITH THAT BEING SAID, I DO TRAIN EVERYTHING ELSE.
KP DIVA
03-28-2008, 12:44 AM
God has blessed you!! Abs is the thorn in my side..BF on my midsection is the 1st sign that I'm gaining weight...and it's the last place to drop BF!
QUOTE=drbarbie;22177]IT IS THE ONLY BODY PART THAT I DO NOT HAVE TO DO. I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT AREA. HOWEVER, WITH THAT BEING SAID, I DO TRAIN EVERYTHING ELSE.[/QUOTE]
Noel Clark
03-28-2008, 01:04 AM
Quads...no direct quad work..those suckers are big enough LOL
Lisa E
03-28-2008, 01:11 AM
[QUOTE=NC_Fitdiva;22183]God has blessed you!! Abs is the thorn in my side..BF on my midsection is the 1st sign that I'm gaining weight...and it's the last place to drop BF!
WELL FROM THE LOOKS OF YOUR AVATAR, YOU DROPPED IT OFF JUST FINE!
sixzebra
03-28-2008, 12:14 PM
I don't train my arms. They seem to grow pretty easily w/o the added workouts. Unfortunately everything else I have to work for!
kitty kat
03-30-2008, 11:49 PM
I don't avoid much. I take it easy on weighted ab exercises, particularly obliques, to keep the waist from getting thick. I cut WAY back on my oblique work last year and it definitely made a difference.
The only thing I don't specifically train is my forearms because I get plenty of forearm work by gripping heavy barbells and dumbells.
Same here.:)
chicky9914
07-05-2008, 09:20 PM
So I sort of hate all of you who don't have to train arms...I have to devote an entire day to just arms...I'm 5ft 2 but I have a 68 inch wing span - really long naturally skinny arms...agh!
Patricia Dees
07-05-2008, 09:41 PM
God has blessed you!! Abs is the thorn in my side..BF on my midsection is the 1st sign that I'm gaining weight...and it's the last place to drop BF!
Same here. I'd much rather have a lil extra junk in the trunk than around the waist. :banghead:
I don't do much for my front deltoids. I do shoulder press on shoulder days but no front raises etc. They get a decent amount of work during chest exercises. Occasionally I do upright rows.....
Bronwyn
07-05-2008, 10:44 PM
Helle - GREAT LEGS :shocked:
Well I do not do obliques. But I train everything, including deadlifts, weighted crunches etc. I train on machines very rarely - only few exercises.
Lil J
07-05-2008, 10:50 PM
Well completely avoid doing legs...just do lunges, butt blaster, inner/outter hip abducter & thats about it.If I did any leg presser as I used to Id be HUGE! Also triceps, I am not training them at all maybe one set of like 10/12 reps once every two weeks.Do not need too.
Sportsgirl
07-06-2008, 02:07 AM
I train all the main muscle groups except my calves.
Sportsgirl
07-06-2008, 02:08 AM
God has blessed you!! Abs is the thorn in my side..BF on my midsection is the 1st sign that I'm gaining weight...and it's the last place to drop BF!
Gah! I have the same problem :banghead:
Anne Sheehan Dudash
07-06-2008, 03:42 AM
I don't do calves nor obliques
Anne Sheehan Dudash
07-06-2008, 10:24 AM
I don't do calves nor obliques
..oh yeah I don't do chest either.
Jennie
07-06-2008, 12:31 PM
I dont specifically train traps (shrugs, etc)
Suzanne
07-06-2008, 02:46 PM
no obliques i am thick enough in the waist :banghead:
I don't really agree with avoiding training body parts when i was figure still when i began with Jeremy he had me have a leg day and it involved all the regular stuff plus others but it was how my WO was done and we were able to bring the size down but continue to work shape and definition course when we switched back to BBing we brought them right back up :D
fitnessjewell
07-25-2008, 02:33 AM
off season I train my legs. No heavy lifting through, usually lots of lunging (I am a Davies girl... lol), but this year we cut my leg training at about eight weeks out from my upcoming nationals so they can deflate a bit. Years of gymnastics and genetics give these things a mind of their own.
Only train calves once in a blue moon and never weighted oblique stuff.
here's a pic from the first show of my season I did on the weekend, in transition in my quarter turns, but you can see why I don't train calves... it's a love/hate relationship.http://www.twixpix.com/contests/BC08/pics/twx_BC08077_24.jpg
NYCStrongFox
07-25-2008, 03:04 AM
Rarely train them...
Rebecca Lynn Slatt
11-10-2008, 11:56 PM
My last 2 years in figure I didn't train arms.
It was all back, shoulders, and killing my legs.
OH yes, and eating TINY meals non-stop so my waist was ITTY-BITTY.
ALL ABOUT THE V-TAPER! :awesome:
ISABELLE TURELL
11-11-2008, 12:56 AM
I don't train traps
chicky9914
11-11-2008, 02:07 AM
One thing I NEVER go near is anything that directly involves the traps. Mine are huge already and I have never done a shrug in my life :shrug:
It's the tumbling!!! All the girls I cheered with in college have REALLY huge, developed traps!
Oh...and all of you 'freaks' out there who avoid training legs because you're so disgustingly gifted...I hate you all! j/k j/k <3 (Can't you tell I trained legs today? Yeah, I'm definitely NOT gonna be able to move in the morning!)
chicky9914
11-11-2008, 02:12 AM
Actually I shouldn't credit genetics for you gals' stunning legs...I'm sure a TON of hard work went into building them.
Never really train calves (unless I get bored) or traps
No traps, no forearms, no front delt, and no abs...(may introduce abs soon tho.)
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