9/2/2024: Changing your body type - it cannot be done.

I saw another lame Facebook post regarding the purported ability to "Increase the width of the shoulders." Really? Yeah, I want to become a Super Model and work for G.Q. Magazine (if it yet exists). That's not going to happen.

The "width" of one's shoulders is dictated by 1) the upper torso/thoracic skeletal structure region (and its potential is dictated @ ~85% by genetics) and 2) whatever amount of hypertrophy the deltoids (mainly medial) can contribute (and their potential is also dictated @ ~15% by genetics [i.e., fiber type, muscle belly size]).

Relative to #2/hypertrophy, 100% of that is contingent on A) proper muscle stimulation/the overload protocols used, B) adequate rest and recovery for adaptation to the prior growth stimulus (including proper nutritional intake and sleep), and C) using a progressive overload plan.

In short, if one possesses above-average shoulder width (it is subjective), ~85% of it is due to that inherited trait at birth. The message: train hard, train smart, but be realistic in your expectations.