Why does everyone say forward/backwards flex action is best for neck WIDTH?

[Dbeyduvudhs]

Anytime I do forward I am sore in front of my neck (sides of throat) and when I do backwards it’s the back of my neck.

It seems for neck width side movements are what should be trained. Is this not common sense?

 

[Lawyer]

Neck flexions work the sternocleidomastoid.
Neck extensions work the trapezius.

These two muscles contribute the most to the width of the neck:

However, this doesn't mean that you should not do lateral neck flexions.

 

[Dbeyduvudhs]

Neck flexions work the sternocleidomastoid.
Neck extensions work the trapezius.

These two muscles contribute the most to the width of the neck:

However, this doesn't mean that you should not do lateral neck flexions.

look at the basic anatomy dude.Lateral flexions would make the neck thicker frontally and curls would make the neck thicker from the side view

there isnt “good science studies” on neck training. It’s just common sense.

I wasted a ton of time following jeff nippards scientific neck training advice when it’s obvious side movements are the way to go