Shaping vs. bulking exercises, what's the difference?

One of the most misunderstood  topics in bodybuilding is the belief that there are some exercises that are shaping or " defining" the muscle whereas others simply " bulk " it up. The shape or form of a muscle is genetically predetermined and can not be  altered.  

Usually the bench is seen as a bulk exercise for the chest, cable flyes as a shaping motion. While performing either exercise, however,  the pecs simply contract and relax. So where does this notion come from?

Most likely, it occurs that heavy benching is done in the off-season , when people are stronger and bigger. During the diet, especially when low on carbs, many athletes don't find the strength to perform heavy bench anymore so they resort to cable flyes for a chest workout. Since they are leaner, they conclude that the cable flyes must have done the trick , not the dramatically reduced calories and increased cardio.

So are all exercises created equal? Not quite. In my opinion, when training a muscle it necessary to perform a mid range or power movement and following with a stretch exercise. as an example , for chest, one would do incline presses followed by dumbbell flyes with an emphasis on the stretch.

by doing so , the athlete creates tissue tears which will enable further growth.

Train hard!

Maik