General
top heavy
What does top heavy mean?
Describes a physique with a well-built upper body but underdeveloped legs due to neglecting lower-body work.
"He's seriously top heavy — huge chest, twig legs."
Origin
Gym slang for imbalanced upper/lower development.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'top heavy' mean in the gym?
It describes a physique with a well-built upper body but underdeveloped legs, usually from neglecting lower-body training.
How do you fix a top-heavy physique?
The fix is to stop skipping leg day and consistently train the lower body with moves like squats, lunges and leg presses.
Is being top heavy bad?
It's mainly a look and balance issue — a top-heavy build is seen as unbalanced, and strong legs also support overall strength and stability.
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