In episode 291 threat podcast, host Dennis “The Menace” James was joined by regular panelists Milos Sarchev and Chris Cormier, and as the competition season ramped up, the team also welcomed special guest Melvin Anthony as they discussed the importance of presenting themselves as pros. When it comes to this often-overlooked aspect of competing, the crew agreed that not getting advice from a pro or learning routines based on social media posts can jeopardize your success when flexing.
How Melvin Anthony Became One of Bodybuilding’s Greatest Poses
While many bodybuilders in the late 90s and early 2000s struggled with hitting their signature poses, Melvin Anthony came up with a dance like expression, introducing fluid transitions and a level of control that looked effortless but was difficult for other competitors to duplicate. Anthony studied choreography and was trained by prominent bodybuilders such as John Brownbut many competitors are still unable to dominate to their detriment.
“When someone’s a good poser, it’s mostly because someone taught them how to do it,” said Dennis James, who, despite a successful bodybuilding career, never had a formal drawing coach. “Because I never had anybody teach me how to draw, so you can see the difference between guys like you and me,” James told Anthony. “You can see the difference.”
Why does Dennis James recommend professional coaches?
“So I encourage anyone; it doesn’t matter who you are. Take posing lessons from real guys who can teach you,” implored The Menace. “Because it’s not all about seeing someone you admire because you like everything they do. Just because they like it doesn’t mean you have to do that pose because you don’t have the body.”
How Chris Cormier learned to pose from John Brown
Chris Cormier agreed, adding that some of the information about photography popularized by Instagram can also be misleading. “Also, when you post on Instagram with all this little green and red (coaching), that’s right, that’s wrong,” he said. “That’s bulls**t,” agreed Melvin Anthony. Strange revealed that John Brown works him hard, forcing him to repeat intense routines after exhausting workouts. “He had this watch,” Anthony said, explaining that they regularly practiced imaging for 20 seconds for each muscle group that was worn out. Cormier, who also studied photography under Brown, says he always trusted his teacher and never dictated the schedule. “I find a lot of these guys today, they have to tell me what to do (as an image coach),” Cormier said. “And I’m like, no, you just soldier on.”
“And listen,” Anthony agreed.
Cormier and Anthony’s superior portrayals were also praised by Sarsev during the show, who added his personal weight to the theory that a one-size-fits-all approach could have its pitfalls. “You and Melvin, you’re the only ones besides Arnold Schwarzenegger to (pose) front to back,” said Sartsev, now a professional figure trainer. “Not the side view, but you were facing, with the legs in place, and I tried to replicate it and I looked like an idiot.”
To see the full episode Threat podcast on Muscles and fitness youtube channel, where the crew also dissected the latest in bodybuilding, see below.
