Shoulder-to-waist ratio

Check your V-taper from two tape measurements.

Shoulders

in

All the way around, over the widest part of your shoulders, arms relaxed.

Waist

in

Around the navel, relaxed.

Enter both measurements in the same units.

How it works

Divides your shoulder circumference by your waist circumference.
The gym-culture target of 1.618 (the “Adonis index”) is an aesthetic ideal, not a health standard.
Both numbers move: training shoulders and back raises the top, fat loss lowers the bottom.

Keep in mind

Measure shoulders at the widest point with arms relaxed. Flexing or a pumped state will inflate the result.

Training basics in What works