The Science Behind A Perfect Body: The Golden Ratio
John Romaniello
December 1, 2010
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So, the more a body fits into the parameters laid out by the golden ratio, the more attractive it will be, both physiologically and psychologically. It's a really interesting bit of science and evolutionary psychology, and it begs the question: How do we use this information to help you achieve your fitness goals and get the body that you want?Well, the first thing is to realize that, chances are, the body you are working so hard for is based on our intrinsic ideas of symmetry. Of course, the numbers are just everywhere in places we can't control. Thankfully, not many women are going to be looking closely enough at your feet and shins to make sure they add up correctly.
That said, the golden ratio also applies heavily in places we can control, and the most important one by far is the most visible: your waist-to-shoulder measurement. As mentioned earlier, broad shoulders imply strength, power and virility, and are, therefore, a mating qualifier that makes a body appear more attractive to the opposite sex. But “broad” is a relative term. Something can only be “broad” if it’s compared to something less so, which is where your shoulder-to-waist measurement (and the golden ratio) come in.
The Adonis Index: How Do You Measure Up
If you want to build a body that is attractive in any type of wardrobe and is noticeable even from across the room, you need to optimize your Adonis Index. You need to develop your shoulders so they’re broad compared to your waist. The perfect dimensions are — you guessed it — in line with the golden ratio. So, if your waist is given a value of 1, your shoulders should be 1.618. This would be considered the “ideal” Adonis Index.Now, let’s say you’re a skinny guy looking to gain some muscle. If your waist measures 28 inches, then your goal for your shoulders should be just about 45.3 inches. Even if you don’t immediately gain a tremendous amount of muscle, as long as you develop your shoulders to fit that proportion, you’re on your way to a “perfect” body.
Alternatively, let’s say you’re on the bigger side and you want to drop some weight. Maybe your shoulders measure 54 inches around — quite a big guy, and certainly powerful looking — but your waist could use some help. In this case, all you need to do is drop enough weight to bring your waist measurement down to around 33.5, and your proportions will be immediately more attractive. That means, you don’t need to get “super lean” just to improve your body and improve your Adonis Index.
A Case Study
Let’s work it the other way and put the Index in perspective. Let’s say we have a guy with a 34-inch waist whose shoulders measure 45 inches around. His current Adonis Index is about 1.323; he has some work to do.If he diets down a bit and brings his waist measurement down to 32, his measurement will jump to 1.406. That means without increasing his muscle mass at all, a mere two-inch reduction in his waist has brought him a lot closer to an ideal Adonis Index and an improved body.
If this client wants to take it a step further, he can adjust his training workout to add size to his shoulders. If he can add three inches on the total circumference, he’s pretty much set. At 48 inches with a 32 waist, our client is now at an Index 1.5, which is amazingly close.
Put It In Action
Here's a question I want you to ask yourself: If you've been trying to get a "perfect body" and you’ve been having some success despite taking wild stabs at what that means, think about what this means for you. It means that now you can select your workouts based on your specific needs.If you're trying to build an impressive body — with strong, broad shoulders and a narrow waist — you definitely want to pay careful attention to the golden ratio and to your Adonis Index. The perfect body may be closer than you think.
Next Steps:
1- Determine your goal: fat loss or muscle building?
2- If it's fat loss, measure your shoulders. If muscle building, measure your waist.
3- If you’re trying to lose fat, focus on getting your waist measurement to fit the Adonis Index, as determined by your shoulder measurement. If you’re trying to gain muscle, focus on developing your shoulders to be 1.618 times your waist measurement.
Let us know how far away from your goal you are in the comments field below.Want more? Check out John Romaniello's official website to discover the three rules for the ultimate male physique.
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