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Sure, the name of the game in bodybuilding competition is MUSCLE. But it must be developed with symmetry and balance. A bodybuilding giant like a Greg Kovacs will be defeated by a symmetry master like Lee Labrada every time. Pay close attention to how well balanced your physique is, while you are engaged on your reckless journey to build new muscle at any cost. Here are a few commonly overlooked areas when it comes to developing bodybuilding symmetry.

The obliques CAN be overdeveloped
Many bodybuilders believe they should train every muscle group to its optimal level of development. This might be true if you were a linebacker, but not for bodybuilders. The obliques, or side abdominal muscles, should never be trained with weights or low repetitions. They should be toned and tight, but not big. The wider the waist, the worse you will do in higher level competition. You desire that V-shape that comes from having wide shoulders, flaring lats, and a narrow waist. Thick obliques work against this!

Back – Wide, wider, widest
There’s really no such thing as being “too wide” when it comes to developing the muscles of the back. Wide-grip lat pulldowns, barbell rows, and plenty of wide grip body weight chins are imperative for getting wide. The more your back muscles resemble a puffed-up cobra, the better your ability to dwarf the bodybuilders around you.

Baby got… glutes?
If you train with heavy compound movements, then your glutes are probably well developed. If you use more isolation movements for your back and legs, then a weakness may be appearing. Glutes, or the muscles of the butt, are commonly overlooked in training and posing. However, if yours are woefully lacking, it will become very obvious very quickly when posing against an athlete with greater development in that area. You will will weak and he will look more powerful, even if your back and leg development is equal. Use the heavy compound movements to build your legs and back, and the glutes will take care of themselves!

Go low on calves
The lower calves, or the gap between the protruding calf muscle and the ankle, are an area of the body which is genetically pre-determined. A Mike Matarazzo will have better calves by age 10 than a Ronnie Coleman will ever be able to develop with weight training. It’s all genetic. However, you can narrow that genetic gap by targeting the lower part of the calf muscle (using seated calf raises early in your workout) to lessen the impact of your genetic weakness here.