"Shoulder width is an absolute requirement for displaying the V taper that will make or break your physique"

Dorian Yates points to a fundamental law of physique aesthetics: the eye reads width first. The V taper is the visual shorthand for athleticism, broad up top, tight at the midline, flaring down through the lats, and shoulders are the keystone of that silhouette. Without pronounced shoulder breadth, even impressive lats and a lean waist don’t fully register; the frame lacks the upper anchor that makes the taper obvious and dramatic.

Part of shoulder width is structural, clavicle length and ribcage shape, but the rest is how you build and carry the deltoids and upper back. Lateral and rear deltoid development expands the visual line from acromion to acromion, while good posture and scapular positioning keep that width “on display.” Conversely, slumped posture or trap-dominant training can collapse the outline and mute the taper. The lats create sweep, but the shoulders frame it; one without the other is incomplete.

Prioritization follows from this. Put delts early in the training week when energy is highest. Emphasize lateral-raise variations with strict control and long tension, rear-delt work through different angles, and balanced pressing without letting the upper traps take over. Support the joint with rotator cuff training and manage fatigue to keep volume consistent over time. Build lat width with pull-ups, pulldowns, and rowing that bias the upper back, but avoid letting thickness overshadow lateral spread.

The other half of the taper is the waist. Nutrition keeps it tight; smart training avoids unnecessary oblique hypertrophy if a narrow midsection is the goal. Posing matters: flared lats, open elbows, tall chest, and a relaxed abdomen can widen the visual frame instantly. Even clothing reflects this principle, well-fitted shoulders make any body look more athletic.

Judges, cameras, and casual observers alike respond to proportions, not parts. Shoulder width sets the ratio. Make it a non-negotiable focus, and the entire physique reads sharper, stronger, and more complete.