Why muscles look flat Probably different for everyone, but do you think your muscles look smaller or bigger the day after a workout? Say you work out arms, do you think they look bigger or smaller the next day? Dec 14, 2024 · Common causes of flat or spilled muscles include skipping carbohydrates, too many carbs, chronic stress, not having enough sodium in your diet, electrolyte imbalance, explosive work and strength work, and overtraining. Once a week refeeds will help a bit as well maintain some fullness, at least the day (s) following it. I actually look the biggest when I haven't worked out for a few days,maybe it has something to do with recovery? If your biceps look flat when you flex them, I am going to show you the REAL reason why. Your muscles swell up and feel full. Mar 3, 2023 · What is a saggy butt? A saggy butt is when your buttocks lack definition and muscle tone in the large glute muscles. Gluconeogenesis via the liver doesn't happen nearly as much as many folks think, and it's Put the science back in strength to build muscle, keep your muscles and joints healthy and to improve your overall athleticism. Oct 9, 2025 · A reader's question, "Why does my old dog have a bony head?" Learn about the causes of dog skull muscle anatomy and what causes them to atrophy. These include the clavicular head for incline lifts and the sternocostal head for flat bench exercises. Nov 8, 2021 · Why do my abs stick out? Your front abdominal wall can bulge (or stick out) for many reasons. Discover how glycogen impacts your muscle appearance and energy levels! We explore glycogen depletion, its effects on a lean physique, and the refeeding Jul 30, 2014 · If the muscles aren't still sore, you still have size and strength, and your nutrition is spot on it could be that you are losing body fat. Nov 9, 2019 · Meaning older people had flat butts with more tendon tears in their gluteal muscles. So what cause that? What the reason behind "everyday" muscle deflation? WHY IT WORKS: Adequate water consumption has a pretty simple effect on the muscles: it makes them fuller and bigger. The body stores less glycogen, which is why you will look flat when you overtrain. Here's what you need to know about the causes and treatments. I’m 205lbs 12% now and need to gain 10lbs of leg muscle to catch up to my upper body lol. Still, you notice your abs aren’t as flat as you’d like based on your weight and body fat percentage. I’ve dropped to 101lbs. You start to look worse until you get to around 7% bf. That's why you look "flat" in the morning - your glycogen stores are empty. There are a few potential underlying causes. Diastasis Recti symptoms for some can be mild and go unnoticed for years Not correct - muscle glycogen is depleted during fat adaptation such that being in nutritional ketosis implies burning fat as a primary energy source via ketones. A place for artists from all art-related subs and beyond to come together and discuss art, our lives as artists, discuss art culture, and share advice and techniques. I think if you take photos of yourself and compare them say a month or more down the line, it will help you appreciate Exploring chest types means looking closely at chest anatomy and how muscles grow. Your skin feels tight. This might show up in an odd walking pattern, irregular wear patterns on your shoes, over developed muscles in one area and no muscle in others, joint pain, and severely tight muscles in some areas of your legs verses others. Jul 23, 2019 · Dead butt syndrome can result from too much inactivity in general or too much sitting between workouts. Think of it as looking at a box . New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Do the muscles look more defined? The other issue could be that even though you are eating enough your body is not storing enough glycogen from carbs in the muscle. That probably isn’t the look most men are shooting for. Get your pump back. It's absolutely normal for our bellies to be protruded a bit and flat only when the core is tightened. Oct 28, 2007 · My muscles look and feel flat. What should I do to get my tricep to pop out more? (when looking at it from the side). Even for those who do, looking flat while cutting up can create doubt. I’ve had this all my life. Ok honestly a lot of natural people can look “bigger” when they cut because of how much muscle they packed. Weight month or two ago was around 104 or 105 lbs. I’ve trained for a little over 2 years now, my whole body is starting to look really good and aesthetic, all but my chest, it lacks size especially in the lower area which makes my chest look like it blends into my torso from the front and side view, it looks flabby. Avoid Looking Flat During Fat Loss Testosterone Nation 175K subscribers Subscribe Muscles look flat in the morning because they have not had time to warm up. com Some guys’ legs look great from the front but then less than im­pressive once they quarter-turn. Jan 30, 2021 · Can’t figure out why you're still not ripped? Fix these exercise and nutrition problems and you'll be on your way to results in no time. Jun 23, 2016 · Muscle Imbalances Muscle imbalances begin to form when your body is forced to use alternative muscle groups to move. When muscles are overtrained, they can become almost unresponsive to weight training. ” Source: Norbert Buduczki / Unsplash “The long head of the biceps is responsible for the biceps peaks, or height of the muscle, which prevents it from looking flat or deflated. Sep 14, 2022 · Get a Flat chest Through Diet In addition to these exercises, it’s also important to focus on your diet. " That's why rest and variety of attacks to the muscle (i. e. If you look at it dead on you cant tell how how deep it is from that view. They're strong, when flexed the "horn" pops out and all but when I'm just relaxed and/or not pumped the back of my arm just looks flat. If you are experiencing a feeling of flatness or depleted muscles (yes, as crazy as this sounds), it may be due to glycogen depletion. Why would a guy want to concentrate on building square pecs instead of rounded pecs? The more rounded a guy’s chest muscles look, the more they look kind of droopy. I've noticed this in other people as well, with varying body-types. DO THIS: Start guzzling water ASAP. The glute muscles are prone to losing mass and becoming weaker over time. regular biceps curls, concentrations, and hammers), is so important. A muscle looking flat usually occurs when protein is high but carbs are very low and/or Why Are My Calves So Tight? There are numerous reasons why calf muscles freeze up and throb the moment you start working out. We also know that atrophy (shrinking) of the gluteal muscles happens in patients with low back pain (3,4). But in truth, soft muscles are a normal and healthy part of the fitness journey. Good signs of being flat include seeing your body weight hit a new low when previously higher, and looking hard. Examples of such foods include lean meats, fish, tofu, beans, and lentils. Avoid leaning on one side or tilting your head. May 28, 2025 · Flat muscles refer to muscles that are lacking a pump and appear deflated. As you age, your butt may flatten and lose shape Have you noticed any other of your muscles getting softer or weaker or “flat” as you said? Could it be that you’ve put on a little weight during quarantine that could have covered up some of your definition? Sep 26, 2007 · You can actually get flat muscles from overtraining doing weight work. 30-40 minutes later the pump is gone. Sep 28, 2025 · Discover why muscles appear flat and learn effective solutions to achieve a more defined, sculpted look. I’ve tried everything under the sun - dumbbells, chest-flys, incline, decline, etc. Women athletes often engage in rigorous training and physical activities that can lead to a decrease in body fat and changes in muscle composition. How about the gluteus medius?. If I get in amazing shape, the. I am eating around 100g-150g carbs a day. They’re also more common in people who have higher body fat and chubbier cheeks. Dec 17, 2024 · Flat Cheekbones Definition Flat cheekbones, as the name suggests, appear flat when viewed from the side. As your body repairs and rebuilds the damaged muscle fibers, they become stronger and more resilient, resulting in long-term muscle growth. Mar 25, 2024 · Have You Ever Wondered, "Why Do I Look Fatter After Working Out?" Here's My Guide to the Various Reasons You Look Flabby After Exercise. 42K subscribers Subscribe why is it that sometimes i look in the mirror and my muscles look flat?what can i do to prevent it? Oct 29, 2021 · Why do my muscles feel flat? Feeling of “Flatness” in Muscle Bellies Muscle glycogen is stored in skeletal muscle, and along with that comes increased muscle volume due to mainly water being drawn into muscles. This guy has it right. Also my upper pecs have that sort of inverted triangle look to them where there’s alot of empty space. The fascia, muscle and skin stretches during pregnancy which can make distention from food more visible. Have an afternoon pool party? Don't workout that day or just do legs. Mar 4, 2019 · Just like your eye color and the shape of your toes, your abs are determined by genetics. Overusing Your Leg Muscles Jul 17, 2024 · Final Thoughts: Soft Muscles Aren't a Bad Thing Hearing phrases like "why are muscles soft," "muscles feel soft after workout," or "muscles are flabby after workout" might make you worry something's wrong. More specifically I think I understand the torso and hips decently well, but why do my arms and legs not look like they belong to the body? Am I lacking anatomy knowledge, or is my perspective weak? Thank you all in advance Archived post. This is also why muscles look “flat” when you’re dieting and “full” when you eat carbs. It's completely normal and expected for your muscles to look and feel smaller when on keto (or fasting - they work the same way). What's left are beaten up muscles. The glycogen in carbs pulls lots of water into your muscles and can offer an inflated look. This tends to happen more rapidly without strength training. See full list on mybodyweightexercises. It looks like one side is a little flabby. Habits throughout the day : Always look up and straight with a straight back. The Muscles That Make Up Your Glutes What do your buttocks look like underneath the layer of fat that covers them? Buttocks are made up of three muscles. Jun 16, 2024 · Glute imbalance is common and often can't be prevented but some causes should be addressed to prevent pain. There are many other possible causes, which include stroke, multiple sclerosis, depression, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME). This can be a problem for athletes, who need to keep their muscles warm in order to perform optimally. Get good sleep of around 8 to 9 hours and you'll notice the difference in your muscles. Before starting this I worked out a lot but never really strength trained so I would still consider myself at the time to be skinny fat. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. However, the tightness can also be a due result of the following causes: 1. As for it looking flat. Every person's chest muscles are different, affecting how they look and work. As you get From the sides my arms look pretty big with the triceps and biceps together , but from the front , I look like I have really skinny arms. Please check out r/ArtBusiness to discuss topics related to business, careers, social media, clients etc. When strengthened properly, they give your butt that firm and taut appearance. Mar 3, 2017 · The reason why it is flatter in the morning then in the afternoon is because after the day has gone by and the pressure from the inside of your stomach mounts all day long it continues to stretch. It's why muscles look flat while on keto and why carb re feeds can put on so much weight in a short period (i. There are some tricks to help you maintain fullness, muscle tension, and muscular pressure. 17 likes, 1 comments - jacobrodriguezfit on March 25, 2025: "“Why Do Your Muscles Look Flat After a Week Off?” Ever take a week off from training and notice your muscles look smaller or “flat”? Don’t worry, it’s not actual muscle loss — here’s what’s happening: Glycogen Depletion: When you lift, your muscles store glycogen (with water), giving them that full, pumped look Your drawings look flat because you don't think about the 3D space they're supposed to be in, shading is only one thing that makes forms look 3D. but i have been upping my fat intake lately and now i consciously eat around 50g-60g fats a day and i have noticed that the days i miss that 50g mark, my muscles don't look as full as they do when i hit that mark. You look more muscular than you really are, especially if you’re standing in front of your favorite Jun 21, 2020 · Why my muscles look flat? You essentially broke down more muscle than your body could rebuild, based on the amount of nutrients you consumed in the hours after the workout and before bedtime. Jul 3, 2023 · Muscles get “flat” when dieting because you have decreased intramuscular glycogen and water, especially with lower-carb diets. You’re working hard to get flat abs and you’ve noticed your abdominal muscles look more defined as you’ve strengthened the muscles and shed body fat. If you’re not well hydrated, your muscles will likely look flat and it will appear as though you’ve lost size when all you’re really short on is liquids, not muscle. Glycogen and other energy sources are depleted during exercise, which can make your muscles weak and exhausted. In fact, you notice an abdominal bulge that you just can’t seem to get rid of. A how-to guide for perfectly full and defined muscles at ultra-lean body fat levels for physique competition. If you suffer from weak chest muscles, I'll show you how to fix it. Much muscle mass is made from glycogen - and you are deliberately trying to remove that from your body (muscles and liver in particular) - and that glycogen needs additional water molecules as it packs up for storage Learn the 5 signs of weak chest muscles and test to see whether you suffer from these. Learn the symptoms and how to treat it. Foods that are high in protein and fiber and low in fat and calories are ideal for this purpose. You lose your good pumps, look flat, etc. For the next 12-20 hours the the worked muscles will look flat & deflated. I believe it’s just fatty tissue (similar to a woman’s breast) that isn’t going to go away no Jun 16, 2015 · Why don’t more guys brag about the insane chest pump they got from their workout? You guessed right – they are hardly working their pectoral muscles properly! When I switched up my routine, dropped the weight significantly, and started performing the exercises I’ll share below, my chest started to finally grow. Low-intensity exercise that doesn’t wear out your muscles might be ineffective. This happens for a few key reasons: You’re coming off a multihour fast, and you’ve lost water weight overnight. I have been looking at older photos of myself and am realizing that my arms are much bigger and more muscular than they once were. Reasons Why Your Cheekbones Are Flat We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Sudden use or overexertion of your leg muscles is by far one of the biggest reasons why this happens. Jun 24, 2023 · The control centers of muscle cells, known as nuclei, move toward these tiny injuries to help patch them up after a strenuous workout because exercise causes muscles to be riddled with microscopic tears. Feb 18, 2020 · What does Diastasis Recti look like? Well, Diastasis Recti symptoms and what it looks like can differ from person to person, making it difficult to diagnose. When Ive let myself the one bigger side actually looks like I have muscles while the other doesn’t. tell me tuck would so these muscles together and make them flat it from the inside and then skin excision can flatten the skin on the outside. I lift weights but my muscles are soft – (Image Source: Pixabay. So Ive been working outfor almost 3 years now, and I was wondering why my biceps looked so flat when I flex them , I mean they look alright in a relaxed non flexed position , but the peak of my biceps in a flexed state is bascially non existant. Oct 29, 2021 · Why do my muscles feel soft and weak? Muscle weakness is commonly due to lack of exercise, ageing, muscle injury or pregnancy. May 20, 2023 · Why do my muscles feel soft despite working out? Your muscles become softer after a workout because their energy reserves have been depleted. Going to bed helps your body to heal and recover, allowing your muscles to regain equilibrium and return to their normal state, therefore possibly making you feel/look smaller then you remember being just the day before. I’m on TRT so I’m hoping to preserve most of my muscle mass but two weeks in and my muscles look flat and smaller. This transition from flat to full is primarily driven by three factors: water, glycogen, and sodium. trueI’m in a similar boat, but it’s more that I WISH my muscles looked 24/7 the way they look when I’m flexing. Why Do My Muscles Look Bigger Only During Workouts? All butts are square from behind because that is how the gluteus muscle is shaped especially considering your low body fat. Oct 17, 2025 · It’s hydration and energy inside your muscle cells. Do some cardio to move the lymph. I would wear sweaters and stuff but some days were insanely hot so I would wear a t shirt and just feel like people were judging how small I was I know this is all psychological but yeah, I want to start cutting again but was wondering how do you all go through it? Oct 27, 2002 · I look very flat about 2-3 hours after a workout after my pump wears off. Apr 22, 2022 · Too much fat covering the arm will make your biceps look puffy and flat in comparison to what it would look like at a leaner body fat level. Jul 11, 2025 · Being flat means that muscle cells have less water in them, which is why they look flat. This can be caused by overtraining, which can result from not incorporating enough rest and recovery between workouts, or doing too much cardio. Why drawings look off, flat, stiff, inaccurate, or lifeless (+ and how to fix it) GraceDeGrace 7. I was so skinny and flat and was feeling like shit the entire time. Abdominals can relax after core work if they are fatigued. For weeks, I couldn’t figure out why my muscles looked flat and my energy was dipping — even with good workou Jul 20, 2017 · If you are a bodybuilder or thinking of starting a bodybuilding program, you may be wondering whether or not bodybuilders should dehydrate? 20 (F) after consistently strength training with some cardio training mixed in the weeks I’ve noticed my biceps, back and what not look smaller. Checking in the mirror and swearing that your muscle mass looks smaller is a discouraging feeling. Glycogen replenishment). Don’t bulk so recklessly next time and you will get better results when you cut. It's where the muscle looks kind of "deflated. What routines or things I can do so that I can have equally big looking arms in the front view? Within minutes after working out, your muscles swell and look larger because your body transports blood into the muscles to help you lift the weight. It’s a common issue, most likely stemming from flat hamstrings that don’t round out, but one you can easily bounce back from. Sep 5, 2025 · When you look at yourself in the mirror first thing in the morning, you might notice a belly that seems flatter than it does at the end of the day. Eating the right foods can help to reduce the appearance of chest fat and make the muscles look more defined. Subscribe for free weekly workouts. It can also occur with long-term conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. Getting my tricep to look less flat? Hi I've been bodybuilding for over a year now and I feel like my triceps still suck. I thought it was carbs that really make your muscles look full or big. I mean during just normal everyday life too. Depending on the person, a pump typically takes a few hours to reach normalcy. Here are the reasons why abs can look so different from one person to the next. In this video, I’m going to show you how you can get bigger biceps that don’t look deflated when you Mar 7, 2025 · Do carbs make muscle bigger? One of the most effective and easiest ways to look bigger is to eat lots of carbohydrates. Apr 27, 2020 · No six-pack is the same—they might be crooked, flat, close together, far apart. As you age, your butt may flatten and lose shape due to lower amounts of fat in the buttocks. In fact, I personally think that it'd be a bit creepy to see people with their abs looking defined at all times. Is this from glycogen los… Oct 26, 2025 · STS Day 102 of the Scratch to Swiss Challenge. The main muscle for push movements, the pectoralis major, has several parts. Once you reduce carbs again, glycogen drops and the water weight disappears. To avoid flat muscles, it's important to incorporate rest and recovery, as well as vary Like I'm what some would consider "bulky" (think alex leonidas, but a little fluffier) but sometimes I may look big, other times I just look flat. Sep 22, 2025 · Discover the science behind flat-looking muscles in autumn. You stated your own problem by saying you gained too much fat/eating like shit on your bulk. 228 votes, 133 comments. Flat cheekbones can be a side effect of simply aging or be inherited. I was a model. Oh yeah and I think drawabox might help you in this particular issue, it's free. After doing some digging a while back I found that how your biceps (and other) muscle groups look , all depends on your genetics. Also when I am on a low carb diet. Mar 7, 2023 · A flat butt can be caused by a number of lifestyle factors, including sedentary jobs or activities that require you to sit for extended periods. The gluteus minimus lies just underneath the gluteus maximum. Why? Posts Latest Activity Photos Page of 2 Filter Oct 11, 2025 · Ever wondered why your muscles look flat after a night of drinking? Discover the science behind why do my muscles look smaller after drinking, from dehydration to impaired recovery. Learn 3 actionable strategies to regain fullness and vascularity before Halloween. Cutting carbs from 450g a day instantly down to ~200g is a sure way to make you look flat. Mar 19, 2018 · When you sleep less, your muscles don't recover properly and they look flat. Mar 19, 2023 · This is my first time cutting on a fairly low-carb diet (around 100g per day). Aug 14, 2025 · Why Are My Muscles Getting Smaller After Lifting Weights? If you're spending lots of time in the gym, but your muscles aren't getting bigger, it's time to examine your workout routine, diet and stress levels. A tight psoas muscle can act as a pulling force, causing abdominal bulging Discover how glycogen impacts your muscle appearance and energy levels! We explore glycogen depletion, its effects on a lean physique, and the refeeding proc Jun 22, 2023 · Decreased muscle mass Our muscles naturally atrophy and lose mass as we age, a process known as sarcopenia. 5ft!! I wasn’t really trying to Jun 7, 2022 · Learn about gluteal amnesia, dead butt syndrome, conditions that can stop clients from getting the butt they want with your butt lift treatments. We also know that the butt muscles are stabilizers of the hip joint and that in people with hip arthritis, these muscles don’t work as well (2). Pelvis and spinal positioning can literally push the belly out. Saggy butt is also known as Disappearing Butt Syndrome (DBS for short). Mar 27, 2014 · Learn about diastasis recti, its causes, self-tests, safe exercises, and treatment options for a bulging stomach when sitting up, for all ages and abilities. Leaning on one side causes your back muscles to be imbalanced which correlates to your neck and jaw muscles. People with them usually have less defined facial bone structures and less prominent cheeks. But once you get down to a low body fat and do some high carb days, you'll look incredible. Eating carbs fills your muscle glycogen stores. I have a chicken leg look for now unfortunately cause my upper body has ballooned. Transform your physique today! Probably lighting, hard light from above makes muscles look more defined while soft day light bouncing around room erases the shadows and make everything look flat. Well, naturally abs shouldn't look defined when a person is relaxed as photographs of athletes try to sell to us. For some individuals, Diastasis Recti can look like an obvious vertical gap in the abs, while others may have a pooch or what is described as a “mummy tummy”. The gluteus maximus, the largest of these muscles, is important for stabilizing your core and pelvis. Proko has some good videos on structure and form, and there are advanced perspective videos on YouTube too. This then leads to a flat or ‘saggy’ appearance in your behind. Right after working out you have a muscle pump. May 2, 2019 · Everyone likes getting a pump. In examining the topic of why many women athletes may appear flat-chested, it is essential to consider a combination of physiological, biological, and lifestyle factors. The natural of shape of the muscle would be more prominent. Here's what you should know about how to fix glute imbalances. com) Apr 4, 2018 · A flat butt can be caused by a number of lifestyle factors, including sedentary jobs or activities that require you to sit for extended periods. Your glutes are the main muscles in your butt. dxhr gts fywhuz wlrlvi oettj vxexyp fpamutev edjxfuqf wazq oda ftf gewbbtb hvbwngiy zdbufmnel nzgj