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What do you guys think of this Ideal Body Proportions Chart. It tells me what I have always thought and that is my upper body needs to get bigger. But it also says that my legs are too big by .75 inches. I've never been sure if maybe I should work my legs more to increase their size, this chart says no, but a girl just this week told me to not forget to work my lower body, too. Which seems to suggest my lower body may be too straight and slim.

My weight (201 lbs) to height (5'10") ratio is: 2.90

Below are their/my numbers:

  • Neck: 17.50/15.50
  • Biceps: 16.45/15.372
  • Forearm: 13.70/11.625
  • Chest: 45.70/43.00
  • Waist: 34.25/37.25 - no judging. :-P
  • Hips: 41.10/41.625
  • Thigh: 24.65/24.75
  • Calf: 16.45/16.50

One measurement that is missing is shoulders which depends on your deltoids which can't be measured individually. Also, how do you measure traps? Or would the extra weight of the trap muscles force to increase of the other muscle proportions in the chart.

Lastly, who actually takes this chart seriously. I've seen it displayed in a few sites.

Update: Ok, did some research and found this for shoulders. And this seems to point to the Golden Ratio of 1.618.

THE QUESTION: Is it realistic to follow the above body proportions chart? Or should I use my own judgement?

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  • So what's the question in here?
    – Ivo Flipse
    Commented Apr 18, 2011 at 16:27
  • "What do you guys think of this Ideal Body Proportions Chart?" Is it realistic?
    – Salsero69
    Commented Apr 18, 2011 at 16:58

1 Answer 1

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+25

First of all, nobody takes these body charts seriously. They are intended for bodybuilders in contest shape, so they do not apply to many people.

Without a visual, it's hard to say for sure, but I bet you tend to carry more weight in your lower body. I say this mostly because of the measurements for your waist and calves. That being said, I think your thighs are not too big, but too fat. These measurements are only good comparisons if you're very lean.

Also, most people don't carry much fat in their forearms. Your forearms are significantly smaller than this charts ideal, even more than your biceps. That indicates that you carry much less muscle than what this chart references.

Shoulder development is limited by your trap strength, and your trap size is reflected in the neck measurement. According to the old military height and weight requirements, if you were over the suggested weight for your class, they would measure your neck. If the neck measurement was big enough, it indicated that you carried more muscle mass than the average man, and so your additional weight could be waived.

I don't think you should strive to have the same measurements as this chart, but the same proportions as the chart. You should be the same percentage smaller then each measurement.

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  • Actually just my gut is fat, but I can still see the six pack, my legs and calves are fairly lean. My lower body is more muscular than my upper body. The reason I'm asking these questions is because every mirror I look into seems top be distorted a bit, so not really sure what I look like. Even the mirrors at the gym are angled downwards.
    – Salsero69
    Commented Apr 20, 2011 at 23:08
  • A picture would allow me to answer your question thoroughly.
    – Natalie Barnett
    Commented Apr 20, 2011 at 23:33
  • Also, your actual height and weight would be more helpful than your weight to height ratio.
    – Natalie Barnett
    Commented Apr 21, 2011 at 0:42
  • Just added it: 201 lbs, 5'10"
    – Salsero69
    Commented Apr 21, 2011 at 2:10
  • And all my test give me: ~20% fat.
    – Salsero69
    Commented Apr 21, 2011 at 2:21

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