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Bodybuilding

How to Achieve the Ottermode Body for the Perfect Blend of Muscle & Definition

by Terry Ramos Published on Jul 3, 2024

lazy fitness
This post may contain affiliate links (disclosure policy).

An ottermode body focuses on functional fitness while having a good V-taper. 

The ottermode physique is a harmonious blend of aesthetics and functionality – think well-toned muscles, a lean body composition, a sculpted midsection, and broad shoulders. The ottermode body workout plan goal is to perfectly balance muscle definition and leanness without appearing overly bulky.

It presents a striking contrast to the bear mode body. You witness the epitome of bear mode when you gaze upon bodybuilders like the reigning Mr. Olympia champion, Derek Lunsford. On the other hand, to grasp the essence of the ottermode physique, one must turn their attention to the retired Olympic swimmer, Michael Phelps.

Although the ottermode physique may not attract the same attention as a bodybuilding competitor on stage, it turns heads when you bare your chest. Moreover, it’s a healthy starting point and a stepping stone toward achieving a fully sculpted body. Athletes with the ottermode build possess the coveted V-taper, which holds significant value in bodybuilding. 

In the following sections, we delve into the concept of the ottermode body, why it garners admiration from many, and provide insights on how to attain this desirable physique.

What Is the Ottermode Body?

otterman body type

One with the ottermode body has well-defined abs, a thin waist, broad shoulders, and low body fat. At the same time, you may find a prominent mass of muscles at specific points in the body, like the shoulders, but this body type isn’t stacked from head to toe with muscle as a bodybuilder. This is an excellent foundation for athletics and exercises like swimming. 

Building the ottermode body is more than just aesthetics, it’s more about athletics. Agility, functionality, endurance, and strength are all key traits of the otterman body. Below, we break down the seven bodily characteristics that everyone with the ottermode body has. 

Body Fat

To see the fully toned muscles of the ottermode body, you need a low body fat percentage. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll be skinny. Those with the ottermode body are more muscular than runners. To get the fat body percentage that shows your muscle definition, you need to fall within the 9-14% range. Most people with the ottermode body have a body fat percentage below 12%.

BMI

For the ottermode body, your BMI needs to fall within the normal range. This is around 15.5-24.9. Michael Phelps, during his swimming and ottermode body days, had a BMI of 24.1. Brad Pitt, who also developed the ottermode body for his role in Fight Club, had a BMI of 23.3 then. 

Shoulders

Broad shoulders are a mainstay of the ottermode body. You can see why when you consider that we often see this body type among swimmers. Developing your shoulders is critical to swimming performance, and swimming also develops your shoulder muscles. 

Waist

This is one area where the ottermode body intersects with bodybuilding, and it’s with the small waist. Combining this with board shoulders gives that perfect V-taper.  

Muscles

The ottermode body doesn’t have protruding muscles, but it has defined muscles. So you’ll have to put in some hard work in the gym. Toned muscles result from a good diet, resistance training, and cardio, so be ready to do lots of these.

Functionality

Swimming involves lots of functionality, mobility, and strength. The ottermode body will involve you doing training that works on muscles you use daily.

Legs

Don’t let the fact that the ottermode body doesn’t have bulky legs deceive you. This body type has powerful legs, as they are a requirement for swimming. So don’t think this will be your chance to skip leg day. 

Benefits of the Ottermode Body 

The ottermode body is a physique many aspire to have and for a good reason. It’s a healthy place to be in and, as a result, offers many healthy benefits. Below are some of the most important ones. 

Better Metabolism

The low body fat levels in the ottermode body are excellent for your metabolism. The lower your body fat percentage, the higher your lean muscle mass. Your body’s muscle mass significantly affects your metabolic rate (1). 

Less Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases

As we already said, you’ll need lots of exercise and cardio to achieve the ottermode body. Exercise like cardio is excellent for the heart and reduces your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (2). 

More Balance and Stability

To get a slim waist for the ottermode body, you’ll need to do a lot of core work. This will help to build your abs muscles like your obliques. Strengthening your core helps with balance, stability, and posture.

Improved Stamina and Endurance

The ottermode body training includes HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) and other cardio to improve stamina and endurance. As a result, you’ll get better at these metrics as you work for your ottermode body.  

More Flexibility

Swimming requires much flexibility, and as part of the ottermode body training, you work on your flexibility. This improves your overall flexibility, and other skills like mobility and agility also improve. 

Ottermode Workout Plan

ottermode body workout plan

The ottermode body is attractive and functional. It also offers excellent health benefits, as shown in the above list. Here are four things to focus on, including the ottermode workout plan to get this V-taper physique.

Diet

Depending on which side of the BMI scale you fall, you might have to eat more or less to hit this physique. Nevertheless, your diet plays an essential role in developing this physique. 

Cardio

Cardio helps you burn calories and keep your body fat levels low. So, as part of your training, you’ll have to do lots of it. You can do about 40 minutes of cardio daily, split into two sessions.  

Resistance Training

Now, doing cardio and reducing the calories you consume can get you in trouble if you don’t add resistance training because you could look like Christian Bale in The Machinist. Resistance training will help you build lean muscle mass and increase strength (3). 

Swimming

Finally, if you want a swimmer’s physique, you should include swimming in your ottermode workout plan. It’ll work your entire body, tone your muscles, and increase your strength and endurance. Below is an ottermode regimen that includes the three essential training programs above.

  • Monday: Back and Arms
  • Tuesday: Cardio
  • Wednesday: Chest and Shoulders
  • Thursday: Cardio
  • Friday: Legs
  • Saturday: Swimming
  • Sunday: Rest Day

Wrapping Up 

The ottermode body is a truly remarkable physique to strive for, whether for aesthetic reasons or to enhance performance. This physique effortlessly exudes the appearance of great genetics. However, achieving it requires the right combination of diet, training, commitment, and unwavering dedication. Are you ready to attain this physique in the coming year?

Follow Generation Iron on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more fitness tips! 

References

  1. McPherron, A. C., Guo, T., Bond, N. D., & Gavrilova, O. (2013). Increasing muscle mass to improve metabolism. Adipocyte, 2(2), 92–98. https://doi.org/10.4161/adip.22500 
  2. Nystoriak, M. A., & Bhatnagar, A. (2018). Cardiovascular Effects and Benefits of Exercise. Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine, 5, 135. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2018.00135 
  3. Miller, T., Mull, S., Aragon, A. A., Krieger, J., & Schoenfeld, B. J. (2018). Resistance Training Combined With Diet Decreases Body Fat While Preserving Lean Mass Independent of Resting Metabolic Rate: A Randomized Trial. International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism, 28(1), 46–54. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0221

About Terry Ramos

As a personal trainer and writer, Terry loves changing lives through coaching and the written word. Terry has a B.S. in Kinesiology and is an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and ISSA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He enjoys playing music, reading, and watching films when he's not writing or training.

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