To build theperfect body, it helps to have the right dimensions. Thankfully, the magic formula for those dimensions has been known for centuries. It's called the golden ratio—a dividend of two measurements that's roughly equal to 1.618. Its influence can be seen in the shape of a seashell, the spirals of a pinecone, and the Parthenon in Athens. And in blueprints for the archetypal human form: Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man and Michelangelo's David. In fact, whether you're looking at art or nature, you'll find this ideal proportion turning up everywhere.
So it's no surprise to learn that chicks dig a physique that measures up to the golden ratio. AnArchives of Sexual Behaviorstudy reveals that women are most attracted tomuscularmen whose shoulders measure 1.6 times the size of their waists.
Of course, it's not always easy or practical to measure the width of your own shoulders—you need someone to do it for you. But you can use your chest circumference as a handy stand-in stat. "They're just different measures of the same thing," says Viren Swami, Ph.D., author ofThe Missing Arms of Venus de Milo: Reflections on the Science of Attractiveness. One of Swami's studies shows that women prefer a chest-to-waist ratio of 1.4 instead of one in which the two measures are closer to each other. (It's a smaller ratio than 1.6 since your chest is narrower than your shoulders.) The bottom line: When women look at men's torsos, theV shapeis victorious. (The fastest way to a V-shape: Start shrinking your waist with The Lose Your Spare Tire Program. It's the easiest and most effective way to lose 20, 30, even 50 pounds and flatten your belly forever!)
You can figure out your own proportion in three easy steps. All you need is a tape measure and a calculator.
1. Measure your shoulder circumference at its widest point—usually around your shoulders and chest in a line halfway between your nipple and collarbone. (If you're on your own, you can measure your chest at its widest point, just below your armpits.)
2. Determine your waist circumferenceby wrapping a measuring tape around your abdomen so that the bottom of the tape touches the top of your hip bones.
3. Divide the circumference of your shoulders(or chest) by that of your waist.
You don't have to look like a cartoon superhero to hit the ideal proportion: If you use the standard from Swami's studies, you could hit the jackpot by having a 45-inch chest and a 32-inch waist.
To visualize the look, think Muscle Beach 1940, not WrestleMania 2008. (For the sake of comparison, the most popular muscleman from the presteroid era, Steve Reeves, had a 52-inch chest and a 29-inch waist—a way-beyond-golden ratio of 1.8.) Leanness rules over hugeness. What's more, lower-body dimensions don't have the same appeal as those of the top half. "This point is pretty conclusive," Swami says. "When women judge a man's physical attractiveness, lower-body shape plays a negligible role."
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Which isn't to say that you should ignore your southern hemisphere, because it's exceedingly difficult to develop a lean, muscular upper body without using your body's biggest and strongest muscles: your hips and thighs. Their immense power to drive metabolism and generate muscle-building hormones will help grow your chest, shoulders, arms, and upper back, too. The trick is to use your meatiest muscles strategically to produce the eye candy women find so tasty. That, of course, is the goal of the three-exercise workout below.
But before you launch into the workout, know that you don't have to achieve picture-perfect results to get the girl. "There's some research to suggest that women aren't too keen on the most attractive men—they consider them too far out of their league," says Swami. The golden ratio is nice to shoot for, in other words, but you won't be disappointed with a silver or bronze.
Check out The Lose Your Spare Tire Program today!
As a fitness enthusiast and expert with a deep understanding of body proportions and attractiveness, I can confidently discuss the concepts mentioned in the article. The article revolves around the idea of achieving the perfect body proportions, particularly focusing on the golden ratio, which is a mathematical concept that has been revered for centuries for its aesthetic appeal. The golden ratio, approximately equal to 1.618, is highlighted as the key to an ideal physique in the context of shoulder and waist measurements.
The golden ratio is a recurring phenomenon in nature and art, seen in structures like the Parthenon and artistic works such as Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man and Michelangelo's David. The article emphasizes that the golden ratio plays a role in human attraction, particularly for women who are said to be most attracted to muscular men with shoulders measuring 1.6 times the size of their waists.
The author refers to studies, citing Viren Swami, Ph.D., and his research on attractiveness. According to Swami's studies, women prefer a chest-to-waist ratio of 1.4, reinforcing the idea that the V-shaped torso is considered attractive. The article provides practical advice on measuring one's shoulder and waist circumference to determine their own proportions, highlighting the importance of the V shape in achieving an attractive physique.
Additionally, the article emphasizes the significance of leanness over hugeness, suggesting that a lean, muscular upper body is more attractive than a bulky one. The focus is on the upper body, with lower-body dimensions deemed to have a negligible role in women's judgment of physical attractiveness.
The latter part of the article introduces a three-exercise workout aimed at strategically using the body's largest muscles (hips and thighs) to enhance the chest, shoulders, arms, and upper back. The goal is to create an aesthetically pleasing physique that aligns with the golden ratio.
The author also mentions that while aiming for the golden ratio is ideal, it's not necessary to achieve picture-perfect results to attract women. The golden ratio is presented as a guideline, but deviations (silver or bronze) are considered acceptable.
In summary, the article delves into the historical and mathematical aspects of the golden ratio, its application in the context of body proportions, and practical advice for individuals aspiring to achieve an attractive physique based on these principles.
