V Taper: The Definitive Guide (2024)

What is a V Taper?

First, let's start with what is a V taper? In the bodybuilding world, image is paramount. When admiring the muscular build the stereotypical indicator of a great physique is wide back and shoulders with a narrow waist.

That shape distinguishes the ultimate physique from the shapeless crowd and is one of the most sought after attributes for all athletes. This shape is coined the V Taper.

Why? Well you can visualise what it is. The V shape in bodybuilding refers to the shape of the torso resembling the letter V, with broad shoulders and lats down to a narrow waist.

V Taper Body

One of the first goals of new bodybuilders is to get that head turning V taper. This shape is heavily dependent on proportions. If you have narrow hips it’s a lot easier to show a V as this makes your shoulders look broader than if you have wide hips.

Some are blessed with genetics while others have to grind to get anywhere near that shape.

How Do I Get a V Taper?

There are two ways to get a V taper body.Building the key muscles for the V taper and the right nutrition. In this blog we will discuss both and how to show your V Taper once you’ve earned it.

click here for the best v-taper workout

How to get V TaperAbs

Feeding your muscles the right nutrition is the key to attaining the best V Taper physique, it keeps the abs tight and the delts full.

If you're fortunate enough to have low body fat, the male body has a natural V taper. If you are overweight the main focus is to diet to get that V taper to show.

Articles cite that you need to get down to 15% body fat to show your V taper but really, if you have significantly larger (1.618 times to be exact) shoulders you have a v taper.

This number is referred to as the golden ratio and this is deemed as the ideal proportion. But if you have a high level of body fat it is even more difficult to achieve.

If you are serious about building your best V taper and having control of your diet, it is essential you learn how to count calories correctly. While the process may seem very simple, there are a number of common mistakes that dieters make.

V TaperMuscles

If you are slim with narrow shoulders it’s more of an uphill battle, you’ve gotta gain muscle. This is a long process, you have to train hard and train consistent. But you have to focus on the muscles involved in building that V shape.

The two main muscle groups to focus on are the lats and shoulders. In clothing if you want to show your V then shoulders should be your main focus.

There are a ton of good shoulder workouts to try, focus on keeping your routines fresh, keep changing it up so you don’t get bored.

Building a tapered torso begins with building the lats, and if you aren't blessed with a narrow waistline then a wide back is essential.

click here for the best v-taper workout

Lats (Back Muscles)

Trainingthe Lats

A wide back is essential when building a v shaped back. Everyone from the the beginner just starting to workout, to the strongman, or physique competitor, is striving to build wider and bigger lats.

click here for the best v-taper workout

There are two distinct ways to go about developing good lats and an impressive back.

Shoulders and Traps

Training the delts

A distinct feature of a powerful V shape is impressive, round shoulders. It helps to be blessed with a genetically wide shape but if you aren’t so lucky then developing round, thick delts is imperative.

To maximise development, its important to hit all three heads of the deltoid:

Anterior head:The front part.
Medial head:The side part.
Posterior head:This is the rear part.

Check outexpert guidance from Athlean-X below:

Abs/Lower Back (Core)

A chiseled set of v taper abs is universally admired. Whether at a bodybuilding contest or at the beach, the most eye catching aspect of a good physique is the sharp midsection.

Not only does ripped and tight v taper abs create a good first impression but also demonstrates a good level of fitness.

Approach to ab training varies wildly. With results also varying from people only benefitting from a good healthy diet and not training abs at all or a moderate diet combined with training intensely.

click here for the best v-taper workout

Here is a quick ab workout you can try at home:

It is a common conception that training the abs with weights can increase the girth of the waist. This can result in a bigger waist a defeat the purpose of attaining that V-shape you are training to achieve.

This is also known for direct training for the obliques.Whichis a mistake if you are aspiring to achieve a small a waist as possible.

Any development of the waist size through training detracts from the shoulder to waist ratio.

There isn’t a need for any direct training for the obliques as with any pressing, squatting and ab work will indirectly stimulate the obliques. On this basis - avoid hitting the obliques!

How Long Does it Take to Get a V-Taper?

This is a difficult question to answer but if you follow a solid programme and diet you can achieve this in as little as 3 months.

But it takes commitment. As long as you stay consistent to your diet and workout you can sculpt a V-Taper physique in under 12 months.

Are V-Tapers Genetic?

A V-taper physique is influenced heavily by genetics. Which some are blessed with and some unfortunately have to work for their physique.

If you don't have the genetics for a V-Taper you can still work at it following the right diet and workout programme, you just have to work harder for it!

V Taper Workout PDF

click here for the best v-taper workout

So there you have it. The key to a great V-taper consists of 3 upper body components:

Wide lats, broad shoulders and a small waist. These combined with a lean physique and a killer set of abs and you can achieve that head turning v-taper withfocussed work.

This6 week v taper workout PDF, progressive booster workout specifically designed to burn fat and form the foundations you need for an incredible V-Shape.

Following this programme you’ll benefit from enhanced muscle growth due to the increased volume and intensity over a short period.

The author of this Programme is International Fitness Model Eddie Chipp. Eddie is a PCA Muscle Model World Champion.

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FAQs

Is getting V-taper hard? ›

This is a long process, you have to train hard and train consistent. But you have to focus on the muscles involved in building that V shape. The two main muscle groups to focus on are the lats and shoulders. In clothing if you want to show your V then shoulders should be your main focus.

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Is V-taper attractive? ›

The V-angle is also known as the "V-taper," since it creates a V-shape in the upper body. This V-shape is often seen in fitness models, bodybuilders, and celebrities. It gives the impression of broad shoulders and a smaller waist, which is often seen as attractive in both men and women.

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How long does it take to achieve V-taper? ›

Getting a V-taper takes patience and effort. If you're new to strength training, you'll need to perform muscle-building workouts for your back and shoulders to broaden your upper body. You may also need to shed some body fat from your hips or lower back. All in all, this can be a months-long undertaking.

How to get V-taper fast? ›

Exercises like pull-ups, chin-ups, and rows target the lats, strengthening the back and enhancing its width. Adding in lifts and targeting the lower back key muscles, such as the rhomboids, also helps build an impressive V-taper.

Do obliques ruin v taper? ›

While bodybuilders have strong obliques, focusing on strengthening exercises will not cause you to add muscle to the point point where you ruin your V-taper. In fact, building stronger obliques can be immensely beneficial to your training and overall health.

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What body fat do you need for V taper? ›

It requires the right diet, too. Importantly, you need to get your body fat levels down to around 15% to properly show off your V taper. Also, achieving a V taper depends on your starting point. For the perfect V, you'll need to hit the golden ratio in your shoulder to waist measurements.

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Why do girls like V lines? ›

On a psychological level, the V taper may appeal due to its subliminal signals of strength, fertility, and good genes. These factors have been evolutionarily important and could affect a woman's subconscious sense of attraction.

What type of body do girls like? ›

As mentioned before in Perett's book, In Your Face: The New Science of Human Attraction, women show a stronger attraction toward men with a figure consistent with the ideal hunting physique: strong shoulders, narrow waists, and broad chests and shoulders.

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Are V lines genetic? ›

Genetics Play A Role

Furthermore the process for getting V-Cut abs may be different from one person to the next. Some people have them naturally and others need to work super hard to get them!

What should I eat during V taper? ›

Follow a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and low-fat dairy options. Other choices include nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Choose foods that are rich in nutrients and low in calories. Eliminate or greatly reduce your intake of processed, sugary, fatty foods.

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Should you train abs for V taper? ›

To help build the v-taper shape, it's necessary to include compound exercises that target key areas along the front of the abs (i.e. transverse abdominis and rectus abdominis) rather than the sides (i.e. obliques).

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How do you dress for V taper? ›

Make sure your trousers are slim or tailored to keep the proportion right. What is this? Your V Taper should be a silhouette from shoulder all the way down to your ankles. Most importantly, its imperative to wear a V taper shirt to enhance your shape.

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Does chest help with V taper? ›

To get an amazing V-taper, you will need to focus on the following muscle shoulders, chest, back, abs, and glutes. Specifically, you should focus your efforts on exercises that target your deltoids, lats, pectorals, abdominals, and gluteal muscles.