strength+size - vascularity

[skumbum]

Are there any training tricks for size / strength / endurance that avoid gross snaky veins?

[glammaman2000]

...I think that ropy veins across the upper chest are caused by improper breathing(holding your breath on heavy lifts;straining your neck muscles,etc.)But engorging the veins with blood is what bodybuilding is all about,so enlarged veins on the limbs(& other bodyparts,when you're lean) are quite normal.

[glammaman2000]

...VARICOSE veins (as opposed to bodybuilder veins) are caused by poor circulation,so remember to train thighs,inner thighs & calves!

[brent]

I believe that veining happens a lot more if you train heavily, and don't have enough fat. Remember, the main thing here is genetics however. Some people have nearly no muscle & tones of fat veins, and some huge guys have nearly no veins at all. Since my husband hates veins, and I love lifting, I'm very fortunate that my family members all have deep veins (not the best when a doctor has to poke me 6 times "looking for blood"...)

[skumbum]

Originally Posted by glammaman2000

...I think that ropy veins across the upper chest are caused by improper breathing(holding your breath on heavy lifts;straining your neck muscles,etc.)But engorging the veins with blood is what bodybuilding is all about,so enlarged veins on the limbs(& other bodyparts,when you're lean) are quite normal.

Yeah, on the chest is what i was specifically thinking of, I guess. There are some photo examples on the site here, but I couldn't find them now. And yeah, I just did a google image search on 'varicose veins', and it's pretty gross

Do you have any reference on that breathing thing? Kind of makes sense intuitively. I don't really know what what i'm talking about is called anyway, so makes it hard to find information.

Thanks

[brent]

Inhale on the negative (lowering phase), exhale on the positive (lifting) phase of a lift. This is the same with ever lift. The basic point is don't hold your breath when lifting. Not only can it cause veins etc, but it can be very dangerous.

[TheMM]

Originally Posted by glammaman2000

...VARICOSE veins (as opposed to bodybuilder veins) are caused by poor circulation,so remember to train thighs,inner thighs & calves!

*barely keeps mouth shut to keep from singing the "Varicose Veins" song from Ren & Stimpy*