Massive Neck of the Meathead

Should you train your neck?

There doesn't seem to be anything in bodybuilding related to strengthening the neck. I have never read an article about neck work.

I think that this could be important for contact sports: martial arts, boxing, football, etc.

What is the story with neck strength and size?

People usually associate a big thick neck with 'meatheads'.
Can your neck be too thin by the same token?

dead and shrugs work my neck good as well as other exercises.

Originally posted by Shocker
I think that this could be important for contact sports: martial arts, boxing, football, etc.

I think most of us don't train our necks because it's not what we have learned and what we think of as 'the norm' Most bodybuilders don't walk around with HUGE necks.

Deadlifts and shrugs will work your neck to a 'point.' But there are machines/equipment made just for neck strengthening.

A massive neck is not something that will do anything for a bb except make them look like a bull. For sports atletes train their neck so they might be able to protect themselves in the case of a injury.

i think most people that have a big neck also have a rather round meat head looking face..which aint that pretty.

yes, I guess this is true however, it still seems interesting that there is very little written about the function of this area in bodybuilding and yet the neck serves a very important function.

I want to create a body that works rather than simply one which looks good - but I still dont want to look like a bull.

I once did some work in strengthening the neck with martial arts where you roll the forehead back to the ground... though I am not sure that I can remember how to properly do it anymore and dont want to hurt myself trying.

Does anyone know any excersises other than deads and shrugs that strengthen this area? I have a smaller frame to work from and my neck is more thin than anything.

Here are a couple neck exercises I have found searching the web:
Lay on bench with your head hanging over the edge, fold a towel and put it on your forehead, put a plate on top of the towel and stabilize it with your hands. Slowly lower your head and raise it. Don't use your arms to move the weight and start off with about 10lbs until you get the hang of it. This exercise will work the front of your neck. You can work other parts of the neck by laying on your stomach or side.

This neck exercise you can do at home, but you have to ease into it. Get down on your knees and put the top of your head on a pillow in front of you. Put your hands on the floor to stablize yourself, and roll your head down on each side as if you were trying to touch your ears to the floor.
When you first start doing this, take it slow. Get your neck used to it. Just go from ear to ear, putting more pressure as your neck strengthens. As you get stronger, you'll be off your knees and up on your feet, but still using your hands for stability and balance.
As you get stronger, get up on you feet so your body looks like at upside down "V". As your strength increases, try to put your hands behind your back.

In muay thai the neck gets worked pretty well doing clinch work. This is when you control your opponent by his neck pulling his head towards your chest as you apply powerful knee strikes to the abdomen and rib cage. Usually my neck is sore for 2 days afterwards...as it's natural to resist having your body being controlled by your head while receiving damaging attacks. Please no dirty comments. tuttut

question?

doesn't big body = big neck?

or am i way off here?

check diss

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...WtNeckFlx.html

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...WtNeckExt.html

http://www.exrx.net/Lists/ExList/NeckWt.html

Good bodybuilding articles and books certainly do speak about training the neck.

Unfortunately, it's been about 30 years since they were regularly published, save for a few odd exceptions.

I believe McRobert speaks about neck training.

I know McCallum did.

I think a well developed neck (traps to the base of the skull) lends as much to an impressive physique as forearms and calves... that is to say - they are the muscles that normally show in street clothes, and the first ones people see and notice.

Look at Henry Rollins, for example. Just his neck and traps ooze a look of power.

Big body does not = big neck. I trained my neck muscles during my teen years to strengthen & protect it during football. My neck rapidly grew and then I stopped training it. Strangely, it never got any smaller and remains one of my proportionally larger body parts. My neck measures around 19".

It doesn't look that big in this picture because I "grew into" it, but it was the same size when I was 25 lbs lighter, so you can imagine the bull neck I had. You made me curious to see what would happen now if I trained it... hmmmm

Gino, how much you weigh now???

I fluctuate a couple pounds + or -, but yesterday I weighed 206.

gino = big mofo

Thanks.

I don't think so, though.

Gino = average mofo


And when I have bad body dysmorphia(sp?) days:

Gino = skinny mofo
or
Gino = anorexic mofo

if thats true im gonna be Reinier= dont have the balls to look in the mirror mofo

That's OK as long as:

Reinier = keep going to the gym mofo

Can you say...Jeff King

Now we will see who is old school

Reiner picks his nose. mofo.

What about just doin shrugs, holding at the top of the lift and then turning your head to each side slowly. That'll work your neck pretty well. You could look for one of them funny leather helmets with a cable for attaching a plate. Those are good for workin your neck too.

hell who doesn`t

*picks his nose*