Current Events > Male body image is being talked about more and more these days.

(+) Yeah! (+)

WizardPowers posted...

Who is in shape and has 0 muscles?

Even super skinny cardio bunnies have muscles

Having visible musculature is not an indicator of health.

meestermj posted...

Having visible musculature is not an indicator of health.

Having no definition is different than not having muscles

Having muscles but no definition is OK. That's what that dude was saying.

WizardPowers posted...

Having no definition is different than not having muscles

Having muscles but no definition is OK. That's what that dude was saying.

Why does a person working a 9-5 office job have any need of muscles, defined or not?
If by all accounts they're healthy, why does musculature matter?

And the premise of the topic is "body image"
If its not about visible muscles, why post at all?

The alpha ripped male is a goal that every male should strive for, just like the alpha slim female for women. Fat fucks complaining about it are just weaklings that want to bring everyone down to their level instead of improving themselves and making themselves healthier and better people.

meestermj posted...

Why does a person working a 9-5 office job have any need of muscles, defined or not?
If by all accounts they're healthy, why does musculature matter?

And the premise of the topic is "body image"
If its not about visible muscles, why post at all?

Being strong feels good even with no definition

Good for your confidence

Good for self defense in the hyper small chance that ever comes in handy

Women like them more than being a bag of fat / skinny fat

I don't get your "only do things you absolutely NEED to" perspective. Most people don't need to do very much in their life. Doesn't mean those other things aren't good.

WizardPowers posted...

Being strong feels good even with no definition

Good for your confidence

Good for self defense in the hyper small chance that ever comes in handy

Women like them more than being a bag of fat / skinny fat

I don't get your "only do things you absolutely NEED to" perspective. Most people don't need to do very much in their life. Doesn't mean those other things aren't good.

Like I said, if somebody wants that or enjoys it fine.
The problem comes from saying "every man should have X goal."

That's problematic because everybody has different desires and goals in life, and to set one as above all others and to say someone is lesser for not having that is problematic and toxic.

Saying "Everbody should strive to be healthy." Is absolutely fine, as that's just medically sound advice.
Having strong muscles (defined or not) is not inherently more healthy than simply being "average".
And not everyone can attain that "goal" for one reason or another.
That us also part of the problem being discussed here. Attributing muscles to attractiveness.
There are all sorts of attractive body types, not just "muscular guy".

Women have been fighting body image problems for decades in the west. For things other than "lean and trim" to be seen as attractive.

Addressing standards that affect mental health is important.

So long as it doesn't go the route of claiming that being 50lbs overweight is somehow healthy I don't care. And for the record I don't care how overweight anyone is or isn't, but people do need to be aware that being overweight increases the risk of pretty much every single health issue.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

The problem in the discourse is all the sources saying "you're not a real man unless X".
"You're not attractive unless X"

See the above disgusting poster calling people "fat fucks".

And yes, there are many people who are completely (or reasonably) incapable of developing muscles.
What about physical disabilities?
Chronic pain issues?
Mobility issues?
Mental illnesses? (Including executive dysfunction disorders)

It isn't a goal that's attainable for everyone.
Simply being healthy should be the goal, and anything beyond that is personal preference and ability.

The goal is to stop telling men "Real, attractive men are all muscular and have thick beards."

The goal is to stop judging peoples' value as human beings based on their appearance. (Not saying that you're doing that, simply saying why talking about body image matters in a broad sense.)

meestermj posted...

I have exactly zero muscular appearance. In fact I look entirely average.
Yet I work in a scrap yard where I regularly have to lift and move heavy objects.
Tractor trailer parts, massive wood blocks, steel bumpers, etc.

shirtless pic where you flex since anybody who can lift heavy on a regular basis is bound to have some type of muscle appearance even if it's surrounded by fatty tissue.

What about physical disabilities?
Chronic pain issues?
Mobility issues?
Mental illnesses? (Including executive dysfunction disorders)

-plenty of people with physical disabilities work out or play sports etc.
-exercise is a common treatment for chronic pain.
-same as physical disability
-if you have a mental illness that doesn't allow you to function properly in society then yea, you probably got other things to worry about than staying fit.

The whole "real men" thing in general needs to stop.

AsucaHayashi posted...

shirtless pic where you flex since anybody who can lift heavy on a regular basis is bound to have some type of muscle appearance even if it's surrounded by fatty tissue.

That's really weird thing to ask. I'm gonna say no.
I very much have a "dad bod", but nobody online needs to see it.

AsucaHayashi posted...

shirtless pic where you flex since anybody who can lift heavy on a regular basis is bound to have some type of muscle appearance even if it's surrounded by fatty tissue.

-plenty of people with physical disabilities work out or play sports etc.
-exercise is a common treatment for chronic pain.
-same as physical disability
-if you have a mental illness that doesn't allow you to function properly in society then yea, you probably got other things to worry about than staying fit.

Within reasonable limits.
Again, the goal should be to be healthy. Not being visibly muscular.

meestermj posted...

The problem in the discourse is all the sources saying "you're not a real man unless X".
"You're not attractive unless X"

See the above disgusting poster calling people "fat fucks".

Fat fucks are still real men

This is Pete Alonso. First Baseman for the NY Mets. Hes considered a Premier Athlete and is legit one of the strongest players in the entire league.

Id rather be this than an aesthetically pleasing weakling.

Hes 6-3 and 245 pounds. His BMI is 30.6, which is considered obese.

Your body type, nor your physical appearance have anything to do with how healthy you are internally, nor how strong you are physically.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/1/1/2/AAafKOAADuTw.jpg

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

That is actually much better wording. The problem in the media and imaging at large is the focus on visible muscles = attractiveness.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

It gets discussed very much online. Look at magazines focused at men. The focus is on "get big!"
"Gain mass!"
"10 tips for a better beard!"

Not on health.
Even actors within Hollywood have stated how difficult, unreasonable, and unhealthy it is to maintain their "on screen" look.

Yet the entire internet drools over that appearance, and it puts a lot of pressure on average men.

SauI_Goodman posted...

I hate being a grower not a shower

Growers are more evolved though. It's simply a better design. Frankly I think we'd be better off if it completely retracted into our body when not in use. I'm trying but so far only my testis do it.

DKBananaSlamma posted...

The alpha ripped male is a goal that every male should strive for, just like the alpha slim female for women. Fat fucks complaining about it are just weaklings that want to bring everyone down to their level instead of improving themselves and making themselves healthier and better people.

See, this is what I'm talking about when you give your opinion on something you clearly know nothing about... unless it was suppose to be sarcastic.

meestermj posted...

Within reasonable limits.
Again, the goal should be to be healthy. Not being visibly muscular.

within reasonable limits is literally all it takes to develop visible musculature.

you know what's worse than "jocks" telling others to get in shape?
it's those others vastly overestimating the effort it takes as some far out unattainable goal only achievable by the few chosen ones.

AsucaHayashi posted...

within reasonable limits is literally all it takes to develop visible musculature.

you know what's worse than "jocks" telling others to get in shape?
it's those others vastly overestimating the effort it takes as some far out unattainable goal only achievable by the few chosen ones.

I work outside 8 hours a day, as I said moving and lifting heavy objects. Just right now I'm about to process and evaluate a Volvo VNL.
And as I said, I've got a dad bod. I don't go to the gym, don't run or jog.
I've got a decent layer of fat, and sit around 200lbs.

Yet my doctors insist I'm perfectly healthy and within range of what I should be, depsite the only visibly muscular part of me being my calves.
My upper body looks like Andy from Parks and Recs, but a bit less belly.

meestermj posted...

I work outside 8 hours a day, as I said moving and lifting heavy objects. Just right now I'm about to process and evaluate a Volvo VNL.
And as I said, I've got a dad bod. I don't go to the gym, don't run or jog.
I've got a decent layer of fat, and sit around 200lbs.

Yet my doctors insist I'm perfectly healthy and within range of what I should be, depsite the only visibly muscular part of me being my calves.
My upper body looks like Andy from Parks and Recs, but a bit less belly.

Exactly.

Being healthy, being in shape, and being aesthetically pleasing to the eye are three completely different things.

bigblu89 posted...

Exactly.

Being healthy, being in shape, and being aesthetically pleasing to the eye are three completely different things.

I agree. And being muscular being the only "pleasing" body type within popular media is hurtful, even if I understand why.
Women fought for body positivity (and are still fighting), it's time for men to do the same.

meestermj posted...

I work outside 8 hours a day, as I said moving and lifting heavy objects. Just right now I'm about to process and evaluate a Volvo VNL.
And as I said, I've got a dad bod. I don't go to the gym, don't run or jog.
I've got a decent layer of fat, and sit around 200lbs

Depending on your height you're probably really understating how muscular you are then.

And dad bods have been considered attractive for like 5+ years now. Dad bods are muscular bods with a layer of fat

WizardPowers posted...

And dad bods have been considered attractive for like 5+ years now. Dad bods are muscular bods with a layer of fat

The argument I was having is about visibly muscular body types.
Having muscles and being visibly muscular are different.
And being visibly muscular should not be "a goal for every man".

Dad bods being attractive happened because of the discussion we're having right now.

Yet look at how Thor in End Game was received. Mocked relentlessly both irl and in the movies.
Popular media has been doing its best for decades to make men believe that being visibly muscular is the only attractive body type.

I'm glad it's changing, and will continue changing.

Its always been pretty dangerous to get ripped, tbh And it was known People just didnt care. So, it good that people are talking about it

LinkPizza posted...

Its always been pretty dangerous to get ripped, tbh And it was known People just didnt care. So, it good that people are talking about it

It's the biggest reason Hugh Jackman wanted to stop being Wolverine.
Why Chris Evans left marvel, why Hemsworth is exhausted.
And more.

meestermj posted...

The argument I was having is about visibly muscular body types.
Having muscles and being visibly muscular are different.
And being visibly muscular should not be "a goal for every man".

Dad bods being attractive happened because of the discussion we're having right now.

Yet look at how Thor in End Game was received. Mocked relentlessly both irl and in the movies.
Popular media has been doing its best for decades to make men believe that being visibly muscular is the only attractive body type.

I'm glad it's changing, and will continue changing.

End game Thor was severely unhealthy though. I'm pretty sure they even had scenes of him stuffing his face with donuts and soda

You don't need visible muscles. But living like end game Thor is not something we should be okay with either

WizardPowers posted...

End game Thor was severely unhealthy though. I'm pretty sure they even had scenes of him stuffing his face with donuts and soda

You don't need visible muscles. But living like end game Thor is not something we should be okay with

If he were human yes, we could say he's unhealthy.

However he's not. He was still fully capable of massive feats of strength and endurance.
I wasn't referring to his lifestyle, simply his appearance. His appearance was very exaggerated, but it's very very possible to have a similar paunchy body type and not be unhealthy.

I workout 4x a week and think that expecting men to be ripped all year round is laughable

meestermj posted...

If he were human yes, we could say he's unhealthy.

However he's not. He was still fully capable of massive feats of strength and endurance.
I wasn't referring to his lifestyle, simply his appearance. His appearance was very exaggerated, but it's very very possible to have a similar paunchy body type and not be unhealthy.

The only people with that body look will be defensive linemen or some strong men

WizardPowers posted...

The only people with that body look will be defensive linemen or some strong men

Again, his body is exaggerated I'll give you that.

But someone being 6ft and 200-225 pounds with fat and paunch, isn't inherently unhealthy.
They could be well within every metric outside of upper body fat.
And someone being as muscular as Hemsworth in his other movies can be (and often is either Hollywood and media) very unhealthy.

pinky0926 posted...

I workout 4x a week and think that expecting men to be ripped all year round is laughable

Nobody that even works out thinks men should be ripped all year round. Bulking and cutting season is an established thing.

I dont know who these supposed people are that demand all men be jacked 24/7. Think its just people projecting insecurities honestly.

MrDrMan posted...

Nobody that even works out thinks men should be ripped all year round. Bulking and cutting season is an established thing.

I dont know who these supposed people are that demand all men be jacked 24/7. Think its just people projecting insecurities honestly.

I see a lot of it coming from the gymshark fitness influencers who post that shit year round, like staying at 6% bodyfat every day of the year is feasible. Total joke

pinky0926 posted...

I see a lot of it coming from the gymshark fitness influencers who post that shit year round, like staying at 6% bodyfat every day of the year is feasible. Total joke

This.

It's prevalent all over social media.

It's really no surprise that so many people (especially young, impressionable people) can end up with distorted views.

ZannoL posted...

This.

It's prevalent all over social media.

It's really no surprise that so many people (especially young people) can end up with distorted views.

There's also really weird dissonance/misunderstanding of PEDs, also. And it comes in two main forms, 1) people who know fuck all about fitness and think the rock or Chris Hemsworth physique is naturally attainable, and 2) who have been lifting for like 1.5 years, get normal results (e.g. 8lbs of muscle and some puppy fat) and then blame their lack of gymshark body on not doing PEDs

pinky0926 posted...

I see a lot of it coming from the gymshark fitness influencers who post that shit year round, like staying at 6% bodyfat every day of the year is feasible. Total joke

Those guys are obviously on juice though. We all know it.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07853890.2018.1511918

Low muscle mass is a predictor of poor morbidity and mortality and occurs in several populations. Low muscle mass is associated with outcomes such as higher surgical and post-operative complications, longer length of hospital stay, lower physical function, poorer quality of life and shorter survival.

AngelsNAirwav3s posted...

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07853890.2018.1511918

Low muscle mass is a predictor of poor morbidity and mortality and occurs in several populations. Low muscle mass is associated with outcomes such as higher surgical and post-operative complications, longer length of hospital stay, lower physical function, poorer quality of life and shorter survival.

Yes and

Henry Cavill damn near killed himself training for the Superman role. It's just fucked.

meestermj posted...

Yet my doctors insist I'm perfectly healthy and within range of what I should be, depsite the only visibly muscular part of me being my calves.
My upper body looks like Andy from Parks and Recs, but a bit less belly.

maybe you should define what visible muscle entails then because anything that helps move your skeleton is a muscle and when it's visible from the outside then it's a visible muscle.

since your calves are visible that would make you "visibly muscular" to me...

pinky0926 posted...

Yes and

Just showing that this post is factually wrong:

meestermj posted...

Muscles don't guarantee a person is healthy.
Lack of Muscles isn't inherently unhealthy or undesirable.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

This is more accurate.
And "visibly muscular" is often applied to upper body (pecs, abs, arms).
Compare these two images.
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/1/3/AASzMlAADuW5.jpg

Now this man is well defined, visibly muscular, but not "gym bro" level. I would define this as a visibly muscular man.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/1/1/2/AAafKOAADuTw.jpg
This man looks entirely average. Not defined or even very visible as far as muscle goes. He's got a layer of fat on him, and isn't overly lean. Even his arms aren't very defined or "muscular".
Yet he is a premiere athlete, and in peak physical shape.

The media has, for the longest time, pushed the first body type as "ideal" and "better". That every man should have that type of body, and having less is shameful.
It's in advertisements, hollywood, magazines. Prevalent.

The second body type is "undesirable" and "unattractive" by typical beauty standards. Yet he's inarguable a strong and very athletic man.

His body should not be looked down on.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/2/7/AANRQlAADuXH.jpg

This guy certainly has some fat to lose and room to be healthier if he wanted. Not necessary though when your job is to play first base and hit bombs

meestermj posted...

This is more accurate.
And "visibly muscular" is often applied to upper body (pecs, abs, arms).
Compare these two images.
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/1/3/AASzMlAADuW5.jpg

Now this man is well defined, visibly muscular, but not "gym bro" level. I would define this as a visibly muscular man.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/1/1/2/AAafKOAADuTw.jpg
This man looks entirely average. Not defined or even very visible as far as muscle goes. He's got a layer of fat on him, and isn't overly lean. Even his arms aren't very defined or "muscular".
Yet he is a premiere athlete, and in peak physical shape.

The media has, for the longest time, pushed the first body type as "ideal" and "better". That every man should have that type of body, and having less is shameful.
It's in advertisements, hollywood, magazines. Prevalent.

The second body type is "undesirable" and "unattractive" by typical beauty standards. Yet he's inarguable a strong and very athletic man.

His body should not be looked down on.

Who is looking down upon him? I keep asking and nobody is answering.

AngelsNAirwav3s posted...

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/2/7/AANRQlAADuXH.jpg

This guy certainly has some fat to lose and room to be healthier if he wanted. Not necessary though when your job is to play first base and hit bombs

For sure. Not trying to knock him but being a baseball player doesnt mean hes in peak physical shape.

Bartolo Colon is evidence of that.

MrDrMan posted...

Who is looking down upon him? I keep asking and nobody is answering.

If you can't see the media push towards the first body type over the last 50 years then I can't help you.
I wish I could live my life with my eyes closed.

meestermj posted...

If you can't see the media push towards the first body type over the last 50 years then I can't help you.
I wish I could live my life with my eyes closed.

Thats like saying because they use luxury cars in James Bond movies then someone is looking down on Honda Civics.

Its not true. Youre projecting your own insecurity. What happens on TV is irrelevant. Its not real life and nobody smart holds you the same standards.

Everyones talking about Little Mermaid lately. Do they expect you be a fish too? Completely made up narrative.

MrDrMan posted...

Thats like saying because they use luxury cars in James Bond movies then someone is looking down on Honda Civics.

Its not true. Youre projecting your own insecurity. What happens on TV is irrelevant. Its not real life and nobody smart holds you the same standards.

Everyones talking about Little Mermaid lately. Do they expect you be a fish too? Completely made up narrative.

Body image in media is a serious issue.
It's been talked about and evaluated for decades now.
If you think it's a "made up narrative" then you're entirely beyond help.

I'm perfectly comfortable in my body and with my life.
I just know that media and social media have been a huge detriment to mental health as far as body image goes, across both genders.

Maybe look up some studies on the topic before looking like a fool.