Having mastered the art of presentation, bodybuilding icon Frank Zane understands his way around a bodybuilding stage. In his latest Instagram endeavor, shared on August 12, 2024, Zane broke down his two distinct aspects of graceful posing: tension and movement.
Aside from his calculated posing routines, Frank Zane took an eclectic approach to his bodybuilding career. From sunbathing, and visualization, to an extremely low-carb diet, Zane combined his knowledge of philosophy, training, and nutrition to elevate his career to unforeseen heights. He earned three Mr. Olympia titles and remains one of the few men to best Arnold Schwarzenegger atop a bodybuilding stage.
You can’t celebrate Zane’s contributions to the sport without mentioning his posing skills, which were complimented by his aesthetics, tight waist, and diced conditioning levels. Like an artist using a palette, Zane created colorful routines using every weapon at his disposal, including his relentless desire to be the number one bodybuilder in the world.
In retirement, ‘The Chemist’ hasn’t forgotten the methods that turned him into a bodybuilding sensation. For those hoping to improve their posing, look no further, as one of the most aesthetic athletes to ever compete unearthed a few of his secrets for crafting an unforgettable routine.
Want to Pose Like Bodybuilding Legend Frank Zane? Focus on ‘Tension and Movement’
According to Zane, posing or displaying the muscles of the body on stage is called ‘kinetic sculpture.’ He used weight training and nutritional principles to create the body he wanted to display.
“Posing, or displaying the muscles of the body on stage, can be called “kinetic sculpture.” To me bodybuilding is very much like sculpture because I use weight-training apparatus and nutritional principles to create my body as I wish.”
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He outlined that the ‘two distinct aspects of posing’ are tension and movement. He described tension as tensing the muscles throughout the body and holding the pose which he shared is the static part of posing. Then, he underlined how movement plays a role in posing, revealing that moving gracefully and dynamically from one pose to another creates the kinetic aspect of the routine.
“There are two distinct aspects of posing: tension and movement. Tension involves tensing all the muscles of the body (except the facial muscles) and holding the pose. This is the static aspect of posing.
Movement involves moving gracefully and dynamically from one pose to the next. This is the kinetic aspect. Give entering competition a try. It is a great motivator. But get in shape. Don’t embarrass yourself,” shares Frank Zane.
In the Men’s Open class, athletes must perform eight mandatory poses on stage, and with Zane’s guidance, new talent can learn how to present their physiques best when taking part in a bodybuilding contest.
- Front Double Biceps
- Front Lat Spread
- Side Chest
- Side Triceps
- Back Double Biceps
- Back Lat Spread
- Abdominals and Thighs
- Most Muscular
As one of the most accomplished IFBB Pros in the history of the sport, Frank Zane continues to offer fans and athletes alike actionable tips for improvements. Above all else, Zane believes a well-thought-out posing routine combined with tension and movement are the ingredients needed for an artistically powerful routine.
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