[keith james]

Hi John & Greg

In a few old physical culture books i have read some authors referring to the 'Knotty' look.

Some explain it as not a weight trained muscle bound look but a knotty look acheived by doing bodyweight training.

I have a slight idea what these authors are on about, but i was wondering what is your take on this look?

Also do you know any past or present people who hold this look.

Many thanks in advance for your replies.

All the best in health & fitness.

KEITH JAMES.

[John Peterson]

Hey Keith,

The old Charles Atlas ads made reference to Dynamic Tension giving you the "streamlined look" like Charles Atlas instead of the knotty look like old time strong men and weight lifters. Truth is, you got the "knotty look' from lifting weights. The Atlas exercises that we teach give you an Atlas style "Streamlined"look. It's just that simple.


By the way. there was an article written back in the late 20's by a guy that was making reference to Eugene Sandow's "muscle flicking' which was Sandow's name for MC exercises and saying that practicing that type of movement, though highly effective at creating an extraordinary physique drove one prominent strong man insane. Although not alluding to Sandow by name he was obviously referencing him. Truth to tell, Sandow did go insane but it was syphilis and not muscle flicking that caused it.

---john Peterson

[keith james]

Hi John

Thanks for the reply.

Do you think that the books and courses of the old days stretched the truth to appeal to the mass crowd?

KEITH JAMES.

[Greg Newton]

Milt,

I am not so sure you are right about that one 100%. Maybe partially though about skin thickness. I wouldn't describe Manfre in either incarnation as "knotty." Sandow was a good example of someone who was knotty.

It is subjective to the beholder, but if you were to compare the pictures in the Jowett brochure to the Atlas brochure, the pictures of the men in the Atlas brochure tended to be more lithe and athletic looking. I believe the training makes a difference. With weights, you tend to build the muscle bellies at angles that complement gravity. With self resistance and bodyweight training you work the muscles from all dimensions. I believe it makes a difference in your overall look.

Greg

[Greg Newton]

Hi Milt,

I always got the impression that Atlas' thigh development was intentional to allow him to be able to run and handbalance. But regardless, I loved your summation. Very true.

I guess the bottom line is that we take the cards we have been dealt , and work with that, and if we are willing to work hard enough we will see remarkable improvement even if some areas are harder to develop.

Greg