A male or female who engages in bodybuilding, which is the process of developing increased amount of muscle fiber while minimizing body fat levels. These two processes are usually done separately, as they both require either a large amount of strength training or a large amount of cardiovascular exercise.
Attitudes towards bodybuilders generally fall into two categories: awe or envy.
It has been a primal instinct in men to have qualities of muscle size and strength, because for many years, that is how men have protected their
woman and protected your belongings from other men and beasts. If a man had strong physical qualities, the man had the ability to defeat weaker men in fights and take his
woman and his goods. Though in today's modern, civilized
society this generally does not happen, the fact remains that a bodybuilder's physique sends out very strong messages of masculinity to other men, which they subconsciously find threatening. When
people see bodybuilders they also see dedication, seriousness, size and strength.
Women also find muscles and some size a positive trait in their men, as it again ensures that they are with someone that can protect them. This again is a deep-seated subconscious feeling and is not overt. In the animal kingdom it is about the strongest male that they want to mate with, so that the off-springs that they produce have the best possible genes. Though many studies have proven that women
don't really prefer very big muscular men, studies have also proven that men always presume that women would find them more attractive if they(men) had more size than what they have.
It is a deep seated desire in men to be strong and when they see someone that is stronger. The easiest and only possible way to bring him down becomes by way of non-direct confrontation. This explains why one sees a lot of myths perpetuated about bodybuilders like bodybuilding makes your penis small; bodybuilders only eat, sleep and train; bodybuilders cant have proper sex; bodybuilders die young; bodybuilding is bad for ones
heart, etc (see Brandon Naylor 's
definition). Past experiences or situations where one sees big muscular men in positions demanding physical strength (Bouncers in night clubs, debt-collectors, etc.) can magnify these feelings of weakness and insecurity. Past childhood experiences of bullying by bigger boys in
school can also be responsible for this.
A male or female who engages in bodybuilding, which is the process of developing increased amount of muscle fiber while minimizing body fat levels. These two processes are usually done separately, as they both require either a large amount of strength training or a large amount of cardiovascular exercise. Bodybuilders are envied
Bodybuilders also seem to be enjoying their "own world" of training in the gym, and this is also annoying to others who see a bodybuilder as a kind of "at
peace with himself
human". Not many activities or professions give this kind of a feeling to the man that doesn't train. A bodybuilder is also at ease with his body and usually doesn't mind showing his body to others, and certainly doesn't feel
awkward admiring his own. Every human being (man or
woman) that looks in a mirror wishes to see himself or herself in good form, but many are not satisfied.
People who are extremely uncomfortable with the way they look, and do not have the motivation to change it, tend to find the bodybuilder's fascination and confidence with his own body unnerving. The idea of someone that does enjoys his own reflection in a mirror creates envious feelings towards them.
Again, there are two types of reactions that are the outcome of seeing a bodybuilder. One is of awe and one is of envy. When a man sees a bodybuilder he is either going to be openly impressed with the size (awe), or will show envy due to his own inborn, deep-seated insecurity (envy).
Despite negative attitudes towards the sport exhibited by those with self-esteem issues, many
people have much respect for bodybuilders (esp. the more professional) and hold them in high regard due to their incredible passion, dedication, commitment, and the hard
work they put in day in and day out.
