Alternative medicine

Flex, Sept, 2007 by Jay Cutler

To become--and now, to stay--the top bodybuilder in the world, I've always looked for an edge. In 2000, I happened upon deep-tissue massage, and I really liked the results. The working of my muscles gave my upper body a whole different look; it actually added three inches to my shoulder width by loosening up tight muscles around my delts and upper back.

These days, some of the other pros have tried deep-tissue massage--I recommend it wholeheartedly. Meanwhile, since that discovery, I've been on the hunt for other ways to gain an advantage over my competition. After all, anything I can do to improve my physique that others may not yet be privy to--whether a new exercise, a brand-new supplement sent to me by my sponsor MuscleTech, or an alternative therapy--can make that perceptible difference that helps set me apart. That's something we all do as bodybuilders, as a lot of times it's the little things that are the keys to winning.

I tried yoga, which is great for stretching and breathing, but found it difficult to sit in one position for so long (most people who do yoga are at least 100 pounds lighter than I am). I also like a physical challenge and, although yoga was challenging in its own way, it didn't affect my muscles quite as I hoped it would.

I kept my eyes and ears open, and one day someone who trains at my gym came up to me and suggested I try Pilates. Next thing I knew, I was taking Pilates lessons.

Pilates is mostly about working the muscles of your core, and really getting at your deeper abdominals. A lot of it is done on a machine called the reformer, which is basically a sled on a track with springs that serve as resistance. You can work the whole body on the reformer, and I do, but my main focus has been getting more of a concave shape to my midsection.

Pilates involves deep, controlled breathing and stretching, which helps me gain command over my midsection. I also train my back, chest, legs--pretty much everything--on the reformer. Although you're not using weights in the traditional sense, you're hitting the muscles in a way they're not accustomed to. Pilates is a real workout, no doubt about it; when I leave my sessions, my legs are shaking and I'm drenched in sweat.

The main thing I've been trying to ensure with Pilates is that I don't have the stomach distention that many guys in the current era of bodybuilding are getting. I have a genetically wide waist, so it's up to me to do what I can to keep my abdominals flat.

It's been working--I'm now actually able to vacuum my abs up. This kind of ab control is something I'm going to be able to put into effect when I hit all of my compulsory poses, especially the front double biceps. Back in the day, almost everyone was concave under their ribs when they hit this pose, but few pros since Shawn Ray retired display that kind of physique.

For you aspiring bodybuilders out there, I recommend trying new methods of physical enhancement and improvement, such as deep-tissue massage, Pilates and even yoga (although it didn't work so well for me, that's not to say it can't work for you). Any of these disciplines may provide just the edge you need to take your body transformation to the next level.

Visit Jay's Web site at jaycutler.com.

By Jay Cutler

2006 MR. OLYMPIA