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We can’t choose the genetics with which we are born. All of us are assigned a different starting line in just about every department, from foot size and vision strength to musculature and mental capacity. It’s all in the cards. All we can do is work to overcome assigned weaknesses and capitalize upon natural strengths in order to find the most success.

There are times when the limitations that are presented to us can appear insurmountable. Think about the case of current reigning Mr. Olympia Phil Heath. He was blessed with very good muscle bellies and genetics for terrific lines and cuts – his arms were off the chart long before he ever touched a weight. His body was lean and sculpted and ready to win regional shows from the training of his college basketball career alone. But at the same time, Phil was cursed with narrow clavicles. This resulted in a look that became more and more ‘bunched up’ as he grew into this narrow frame. His peers shook their head and said “what if..” as they discounted his chances at ever winning a bodybuilding title. The forums were ablaze with jokes and animated GIFs bemoaning his deficiency. Then something happened.

Phil Heath started winning titles. One after another. Then he started placing top 2 at the Arnold and the Olympia. Then he won the Sandow trophy! What was the secret for his ascension? How did he manage to turn a huge liability of a narrow chest, incapable of winning titles, into a strength?

The process was simple. He accepted he had weaknesses and just worked to emphasize the parts of his body which would minimize the visual impact of the narrow chest. Heath also de-emphasized those body parts whose growth would result in a more noticeable width deficiency. His training focused upon arms and shoulders. His shoulders suddenly became some of the best in the world. He did work chest, of course, but avoided so much heavy bench and dumbbell work that his chest would become bunched up. In other words, he did minimize the development of his chest for the sake of aesthetics. His waist was a tad wide naturally, so his training and posing were focused upon developing the obliques (side abs) as little as possible while at the same time twisting in many standard poses in order to minimize the appearance of a wide waist.

It worked for Phil Heath and it can work for you. Emphasize your strengths and downplay your weaknesses. It can be a hit to ego to admit you have some areas that you cannot change, but by changing the parts around them upon which you do exude some control, you can change things up in a major way. Good luck!