[quote]Stacked wrote:
[quote]MickyGee wrote:
Apparently, it was also first mentioned in some printed newsletters back in the day; just interested in what some peoples’ thoughts are on this as a legitimate technique, whether they would bother with it, etc. - thanks.[/quote]
Yes, it was in his Hardcore Muscle newsletter he published back in the 90s.
Here’s the full article Dante wrote:
By: Dante
Structural Adaption: I have pondered back and forth whether to write this article because it surely will bring me lots of grief from disbelievers. Let me state some guidelines first- The following is true, I swear by it, Iâ??ve seen it happen, Iâ??ve taken about 8 people through these steps including myself- It works.
If you think it is bunk, that it is dangerous/unhealthy, or it just canâ??t be done because it doesnâ??t sound right to youâ??donâ??t bother to write me about itâ??Iâ??ve seen it happen and you canâ??t change my mind. It is very hard to describe on paper- I have only brought people through it in person. So try at your own risk. —Stretching out the frame and structure- can it be done? Parillo thinks it can to some degree.
Many have cited football players who were small framed in high school and bulked up in bodyweight. When they came back down to normal size standards, the frame (shoulder girdle, ribcage etc) are so much larger. The body will adapt to a larger bodyweight. I have never seen someone who started to do weighted chins continuously thru the years, not get a dramatic widening of the shoulder girdle. I ask you what is the most broken structures among high school football players? Collarbone, ribcage, sternum.
This is all pliable tissue when you are young and will spread out and grow if you work it while you are still young (past 30 is about impossible). There are three main areas I can stretch. You guys would freak if I showed you some before and after shots of hard structure stretches over time. I can get the shoulders out somewhat, the ribcage too, but I can really move the lat spread out there. The ribcage: Read this carefully, you would only want to stretch out the rib-cage in certain situations.
You have to take stock in your physique first. If you have high lats you probably donâ??t want to stretch out your ribcage. Look where your lats connect (bottom insertion) on the torso. If the bottom of your ribcage on the side is higher or even with your insertion then you will get even a more dramatic flare on your lat spread. Your ribcage will bellow out with your lats and you will have a helluva flare. If your ribs are too low, and you stretch out with your ribcage dramatically this could ruin your lat flare as it will flare down and then out again where your ribcage is. Not good.
So this is a decision you will have to make. The old standard dumbbell pullover across the bench will stretch it right over time. Get a heavy dumbbell and as you stretch it out and over your head as far back as possible-at the same time sink your hips as far downs as you can. Straighten your legs to get even more of a stretch. Seriously you only need about one set a couple times a week for about 5 reps each. At the very start of the movement breathe in as much air as humanly possible (even until your taking baby breathes in) and then hold the air and lower the dumbbell. Repeat on each rep.
It is probably not the healthiest thing to do as far as blood pressure but it seems the only way to do the trick. You might get a little light-headed from holding your breath. Key Note: At the very bottom of your stretch try to push your sternum up and out (very important)— The shoulder girdle is difficult to move but it can be done. If you have done weighted chins over time with heavy weights you should be all set. But if you donâ??t well here we go.
After your back workout hang a heavy dumbbell on a dipping belt and attach to your waist. Stand up on a bench and take the widest comfortable grip (WITH STRAPS!!!) on the chinning bar. Then just hang and sag back while doing so. We use a 100LB dumbbell, and we try to make it for 3 minutes but never do. You arms will feel like they are coming out of the sockets. Just lean back and grit it out for as long as you can. (Bobby Brady watch out). You might think itâ??s silly but you tell me what happens over a years time.
My shoulders are DRAMATICALLY wider than they were in high school and I used to hang religiously. Lastly, this one is hard to explain. The area your scapula occupy is made up of a whole bunch of pliable tissue, and you can actually get your scapula to rotate out tremendously further with this one. I have seen inches put on a lat spread with this one. Grab a doorknob overhand (both sides)â??lean back and push your ass way out, so now you are eye level with the doorknob. Simultaneously, with your back rounded and chest sunken, pull yourself up and forward (FLEXING YOUR LATS OUT) and push back with your feet to make it harder.
The day you create so much tension and hold it is the day you will remember. You will feel a pop and a sharp pain (lasting about 3 days) in the inner scapula. You write me and tell me if the side that you got to pop isnâ??t at least an inch out wider than the other lat. Work on the other one!
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Hmmm, I think Dante’s a super smart guy, but really, I don’t see how this is all too dangerous. I mean if you do extreme stretching anyways, and do the doorknob stretch, this could probably happen by accident it sounds… I’d be more worried for broken doors and doorknobs then broken bones or injuries…