To sculpt or not to sculpt
That is the question
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Form should always follow function. At least, this is part of my philosophy in life. Ever see a Formula 1 car before…?
These are racing cars that are the fastest things on four wheels around a circuit. They can navigate corners at insane speeds due to their aerodynamics, which dictate in large part what these cars look like. Engineers painstakingly analyze the air flowing over, under, and around these cars with sophisticated mathematical models, and in wind tunnels (using a scaled down version).
About 98% of what you see on Formula 1 cars is not due to an aesthetic decision. All the large and minute bits and pieces you see are designed to manage the airflow around and over the body work. The volume under the floor, and wings, of these things is under a vacuum, or negative air pressure. The net effect allows them to go around bends at ludicrous speeds. And there exists a balance, for very large amounts of this vacuuming effect (or downforce) can create large amounts of drag, decreasing their top speed.1
Then there's all the exotic materials that are used to fabricate these goddesses of speed. Carbon fiber reinforced plastics for bits of the suspension, chassis, and body work. Titanium bits for engine internals. Inconel for the exhaust (which almost becomes translucent at high temperatures). Stainless steel. Various aluminum alloys. All are put together in such a manner so that these cars can put up with the massive amount of aerodynamics loads. In addition, such huge rates of deceleration can be generated under braking. The driver, with confidence, can jam on the brakes from over 200 mph decelerating to just about 30 mph in the length of a football field. All to navigate a hair pin chicane (or series of tight hair pin corners in short sequence and opposing directions). In fact, check the video below. This is at the Monza circuit outside of Milan, Italy. Pay attention to the first 10 seconds for this example. The whole video is amazing though.
To see these at speed is breathtaking. Often when I watch a race with someone around whom has never seen them before, they ask me if they are really going that fast. Or if the race is in fast-forward… And I just say no, with a wry smile. Because I am a fan. And I love how their form is secondary to their function. They are beautifully sculpted by science.
This honestly how I see all the physical exercise endeavors I've embarked on for over twenty years. I train to my needs. I put strength where my body needs it. My philosophy, which I will talk about more in future posts, is to focus on my legs and back development. This is due to troubles I've had with my hips and spine for my whole life. I find when my legs and back are strong, my symptoms of discomfort are kept at bay…touch wood.
Now I was already someone who held a decent amount of weight in my butt and thighs (for a man that is). I have never been able to fit into a standard fit pants or jeans, they simply would choke out my thighs. And forget about fitting over my ass. So relaxed fit style pants it is. But (butt), dare I say the combination of a further developed lower half of my body with some size to my back muscles does make for an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Which is an added bonus. But not my primary aim of course.
Therefore, my form follows the function I've developed.
If I am honest, about 10%-15% of what I do (physical training wise) is towards a sculpting mindset. Maybe even less. For those that are familiar with body building, you will know that this is all about sculpting. And, most people whom think about weight training automatically think of body building. Anyone thinking of beginning to weight train, or even those that already weight train, should know that you can sculpt if you want. Want bigger butt and thighs? Want developed shoulders? Want a defined back? Follow those links (five different posts from this blog).
Ladies can add hips, thighs, and a shelf to their booties. Fellas can have that v-taper back by developing their deltoids, and lats. Both genders can have the appearance of a smaller waist by doing all the above. Cleaning up your diet can reduce your waist size. The combination of the two will be a very pronounced visual trick.
You. Can. Sculpt. Your. Body.
Genetics will define your unique silhouette, so this is all within reason. But don't let that discourage you. However, I really urge you to consider your physical health as the main ingredient when deciding what sort of physical training regimen to adhere to.
Train for your physical health, aesthetics will follow. When you do so, you will be more capable and well-adjusted as a human being. Both physically and mentally. Going through life with a grace an attitude that will be awe-inspiring. Which is way sexy. Just like those Formula 1 cars…!
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Next time you are riding in a car going down the road, stick your arm outside the window. Something most of us have done I'm sure, but this time I have a little twist to it. Keep your fingers taught to one another and straight (no closed fist) with your palm parallel to the road. Next, twist your hand in either direction. That is, with your thumb side up to the sky, and then down to the road. Your arm will move up and down with each respective motion due to a force applied to your hand. This force is generated by the aerodynamics around your hand. Aerodynamicists study the airflow around these F1 cars so these racing cars can become faster.