Thread: "Vacuum"

Originally Posted by Venomblack85

Are "vacumms" genetic or is there any exercise to at least improve what you do have?

What do you mean "genetic"? He's sucking his waist in, it doesn't look like that naturally. Its just a technique the old-timers used to make their waists look smaller, and can be learned with practice.

Obviously it helps not having any fat on you to begin with, which is all down to your diet management.

Originally Posted by Venomblack85

Are "vacuums" genetic or is there any exercise to at least improve what you do have?

Vacuums ARE an exercise. They are the conscious contraction of the transversus abdominis muscle.



There's a variety of different ways to do them. You can do them upright (standing or hanging) or horizantal (prone or supine) for example. The contraction of your other core muscles, your breathing, also affect how it works.

It's a shame vacuum isn't a popular pose anymore...

I had a contest where I wanted to bring that look back. It looked good, but I met the judges after and they said I wouldve placed higher than third had I not done it with the vacuum. Interesting how opinions have changed.

I think part of it is genetic b/c I have friends who can "suck in" more than me or others, but I was just asking. I wonder if pullovers could help at all, but I suppose the easiest way would be the body fat % and just practice.

Originally Posted by juggernaut

I had a contest where I wanted to bring that look back. It looked good, but I met the judges after and they said I wouldve placed higher than third had I not done it with the vacuum. Interesting how opinions have changed.

That sucks! I think they look better too, for me it's all about going for that "super-man" type look, small waist massive upper body haha! Oh and most of the time, if I'm correct, Jay Cutler does the "vacuum" pose in his front double bi's, and he's 4time O.... even though the big gut, I think it looks better than sticking it out.

Here's the pic of Ronnie and Arnold, idk though, somehow Ronnie makes it look not so bad I think, like he just makes it tie in good... maybe just b/c everything's so big why not have the core big too... but I still favor the "vacuum" pose.

Don't discount how much the increased abuse of growth hormone and steroids in the pros has had an effect on their bellies. Theres probably so much distension and increased abdominal muscle growth that they can't do a decent vacuum these days.

Originally Posted by Gazhole

Don't discount how much the increased abuse of growth hormone and steroids in the pros has had an effect on their bellies. Theres probably so much distension and increased abdominal muscle growth that they can't do a decent vacuum these days.

This is my thoughts as well. The vacuum was lost to GH sides.

Okay, so why don't bb's today just take the same stuff Arnold 'n company took back then, that way they wouldn' t get the GH gut? They might not get AS big, but idk I bet there's other stuff in today's technological/nutritional world to compensate for that.

I welcome that look back venom. I agree. We should ban GH altogether. The look is fucking goofy (the gut, not the vacuum).

There had got to be something genetic about the vacuum. Im 5'6' and 115 lean pounds and I can't even suck in like that. Thats where my food resides.

Originally Posted by Gazhole

Don't discount how much the increased abuse of growth hormone and steroids in the pros has had an effect on their bellies. Theres probably so much distension and increased abdominal muscle growth that they can't do a decent vacuum these days.

Originally Posted by PushAndPull

This is my thoughts as well. The vacuum was lost to GH sides.

Originally Posted by Venomblack85

Okay, so why don't bb's today just take the same stuff Arnold 'n company took back then, that way they wouldn' t get the GH gut? They might not get AS big, but idk I bet there's other stuff in today's technological/nutritional world to compensate for that.

Originally Posted by juggernaut

I welcome that look back venom. I agree. We should ban GH altogether. The look is fucking goofy (the gut, not the vacuum).

I didn't want to say it myself but you guys filled in nicely. Growth Gut's here to stay and the way I see it-it's the main reason vacuum isn't vogue. Ronnie Coleman looks like he ate a Ninja Turtle in that picture.

Icekat, you have to practice posing. My bud was practicing his posing routine for at least 4 months prior to his first show. You can't be expected to walk on stage and deliver any pose without practice. Vacuum is no exception.