Articles Articles Science of Male Aesthetics | Science of Male Aesthetics |
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| Written by Ross Edgley | |
| Wednesday, 02 May 2007 | |
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Science of Male Aesthetics (Written for Daily Telegraph) “I’m tired of all this nonsense about beauty being only skin-deep. That's deep enough. What do you want - an adorable pancreas?” Superficial? Honest? Doubtless, the sentiments contained in this quote from Jean Kerr’s “The Snake Has all the lines” influence men in their quest for the perfect body, as depicted in art and literature from antiquity to the present day. My mailbox teems with the abundance of letters I receive from male fitness enthusiasts all longing for physiques reminiscent of such fictional heroes as Superman. But most men fail to realise that to obtain a truly superhero-like body, with abdominal muscles like cobblestones and muscle definition to rival Michaelangelo’s ‘David.’ They should study the science that underpins the beauty and definition of the male body Let’s begin with the arms. The illustrious duo that defines the arm, the biceps and the triceps, are envied by men and adored by women. These muscles are the equivalent of the alloy wheels on a Ferrari Enzo. Hubcaps from a Fiat will suffice, but swanky alloys are preferable. To upgrade muscles from the Fiat to the Ferrari equivalent requires hard work. They must be loaded beyond their habitual level. Progressive overloading increases the number of muscle filaments, which subsequently increases strength, and more importantly for the wheel enthusiast, size and shape. Alas, without these physiological changes, the owner will have no choice but to collect his date in a Fiat. Although they may only appear in summer, legs should not be forgotten. Comprising three main muscles; the wonderfully named rectus femoris, vastus medialis and vastus lateralis, the legs, much like a watch, perform a practical function. However, who wants an average watch? Large legs, i.e. those at the Rolex end of the market, result from progressively overloading the muscle, known as muscular hypertrophy. Though this is not the only determinant of bulky legs, a training regime that promotes fast twitch, Type II, muscle fibres will also lead to an increase in muscle size because fast twitch muscle fibres are larger than their counterparts the slow twitch, Type I, muscle fibres. High intensity workouts that cannot be sustained for long periods (anaerobic) will promote fast twitch muscle fibres and thus mass gains. Conversely low intensity exercises that can be sustained for longer (aerobic) will promote slow twitch muscle fibres, reducing mass. Legs can function properly without these exercise regimes. However, although cheap watches are functional most want a shapely, distinct Rolex. Shoulders are a powerful indicator of a man’s masculinity. However, the large, spherical shoulder appearance is rare, like a diamond. Yet once achieved it is both admired and a girl’s best friend. Men’s Fitness magazine correctly claims that wide shoulders create the dramatic “V-taper” which creates, “the illusion of a smaller waist, thicker chest and powerful torso.” To create the desired effect, all three deltoid muscles must be developed uniformly - Too often the front part of the shoulder, the posterior deltoid, is over emphasised and the side of the shoulder, the medial head of the deltoid, and the rear of the shoulder, the anterior deltoid, are neglected. Like a Japanese Tsukiyama garden the body's anterior, stomach and chest collectively, has the ability to enthral the beholder. The word Tsukiyama refers to the creation of artificial hills, and like the chest, dimension is impressive but sculpting is aesthetically superior. High resistance, low repetition bench presses increase mass in the pectoralis major, whereas dumbbell flies, dips and the incline and decline bench press function as sculpting tools. Few know that the rectus abdominus muscles of the stomach are predominantly comprised of fast twitch muscle fibres and to construct a rippling stream in your garden high resistance and a full range of movement is needed when performing sit-ups. Thus, by using more than one single trowel, the higher plane of an elusive “8 pack” can be attained. Obviously, aesthetically, much depends upon whom you invite to view your garden. However, the large boulders and rippling streams of Japanese gardens are generally adored. Body fat is imperative to male aesthetics. Only 3% adipose tissue is crucial for body functioning, however Dr. Andrew Weil founder of the Weil Foundation, believes 5% is the minimum for good health. Any lower and people become “susceptible to infections and ailments.” Therefore excess subcutaneous fat, functions as a car cover for your new Ferrari wheels, a glove for your new diamond ring, the curtain drawn over the window viewing your garden or a sleeve pulled over your new Rolex. Essentially body fat determines whether people are aware of your new possessions or remain completely oblivious. |
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