Everything is in context, Linda. To me, the guy looks totally normal because I've spent some 52 years in the gym around people who work to look like that. I both admire and appreciate muscularity on men and women, to a point. I am not a fan of that kind of extreme muscularity on women, and when men are on steroids, they get cartoonish. It is very much a matter of taste. If you;re not a gym rat, he's not going to be attractive.
Most men do not resemble that photo, even those who work out (not to excess...that is what I find repulsive - the excess). Yes, I get the 'context' issue, hence my opening clause.
In a totally different context, but excess none-the-less. I love antique furniture because of the patina of the wood and the craftmanship of the wood joinery. When I went to the Winterthur museum (the legacy of the Dupont family's mansion) a few decades ago, I was repulsed by the excess - too much ostentatiousness of the volume of fine antiques. Sometimes a bit less is more.
Back to the body builder in the photo: how many hours/day and how many days/week would it take to look like that? Why? Does this person have a life outside the gym?
I’ve seen places like that, museums like that. I think that’s one reason I like clean lines on my wood. I don’t much care for excessive decoration. I don’t even like the Queen Anne legs on my old desk and it’s the only piece I have with them.
As for that guy’s routine?
I have no clue. Here are just some of the things that depends on:
Age
Metabolism
Height
Starting weight
Propensity to build or to burn muscle (my brother was a burner, no matter what he ate, took, injected or tried, he couldn’t build)
Discipline
How his unique body responds to the work
Diet
Supplements, or not
Consistency of the workout
Steroid/PED use, or not
I could go on.
Everyone’s results are as unique as a fingerprint. Which is why it’s ridiculous for some star or some stud to promise anyone they can get the results he gets. You can’t say that.
My buddy JC said something so powerful today when we were discussing all this stuff. He said that these people sell a promise of a moment in time. JC doesn’t lift- but he distilled everything down to that fine moment- a pro is only in extreme competition shape for, at best, 24 hours. They are so dehydrated, so pumped up and so dangerously calorie-shy that it’s quite impossible to maintain. But those are the photos people see- of people right at the absolute height of their physical competition shape, which demands ridiculous standards which do real damage to the body.
People buy the lie that they can look like that all the time. First, why would you want to, and second, you die. Plenty have.
You might be surprised at how many guys really do achieve a high level of muscularity. What they don’t do is keep it up and maintain it. I can attest- keeping my muscle takes hard damned work, but mine isn’t for bragging rights. It’s for hard work and endurance and in case of danger, getting me out of rough spots. That’s happened, so I can attest. It’s functional. I happen to like being muscular but boy that’s a very particular preference. I was one of the earlier adopters, our generation didn’t exactly embrace that. These days too many women go the extreme route, and I’m not a fan. I like looking like a girl, and the sport’s extremes pretty much obliterate the feminine.
You most assuredly don’t have to watch this, but just look at the opening photo. My reaction?
NOPE. NOPE. and NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPE. I respect the work. But why look like a guy? That’s just me.
CHEERS, Julia! I want to tell all those poor InstaTik-addled kids (I know, they're not all kids, but I'm an old broad so I get to call 'em that) to equated Influenced with Conned. And ask yourself when looking at the images of these juiced, buffed, edited and filtered people — where in the real world outside of a gym or a fashion runway do you see anyone who looks like that? And yep, I lift weights and do plyo and yoga and all the things too. But not to get a bikini body at age 71!
I don't think my body even has the capability to be "built" without interventions lol.
I do hate the influencer vibe from those who were already skinny and shapely. I'd rather follow someone like Johanna Sophia who actually shows her journey and struggles after 3 pregnancies, and she DOES THE WORK with you in her videos.
I lift weights and I still have wobbly arms. I’ve built strength over the years with dumbbells—nothing dramatic, just slow and steady. The result? More energy, better balance, a sharper mind. Injectables or weight loss drugs to speed up muscle tone? No thanks. That’s not health, it’s performance art. I’m here for strength and health that lasts. I feel sad for people who feel the need to push it into risky stuff.
There was one bodybuilder who used - performance - enhancing substances until her brain began to liquify, & you have likely heard about Joanie Laurer's final days, so you obviously cared & were mindful enough to quit.
Am I in the minority? The opening photo is rather repulsive to me. Just sayin.
Everything is in context, Linda. To me, the guy looks totally normal because I've spent some 52 years in the gym around people who work to look like that. I both admire and appreciate muscularity on men and women, to a point. I am not a fan of that kind of extreme muscularity on women, and when men are on steroids, they get cartoonish. It is very much a matter of taste. If you;re not a gym rat, he's not going to be attractive.
Most men do not resemble that photo, even those who work out (not to excess...that is what I find repulsive - the excess). Yes, I get the 'context' issue, hence my opening clause.
In a totally different context, but excess none-the-less. I love antique furniture because of the patina of the wood and the craftmanship of the wood joinery. When I went to the Winterthur museum (the legacy of the Dupont family's mansion) a few decades ago, I was repulsed by the excess - too much ostentatiousness of the volume of fine antiques. Sometimes a bit less is more.
Back to the body builder in the photo: how many hours/day and how many days/week would it take to look like that? Why? Does this person have a life outside the gym?
I’ve seen places like that, museums like that. I think that’s one reason I like clean lines on my wood. I don’t much care for excessive decoration. I don’t even like the Queen Anne legs on my old desk and it’s the only piece I have with them.
As for that guy’s routine?
I have no clue. Here are just some of the things that depends on:
Age
Metabolism
Height
Starting weight
Propensity to build or to burn muscle (my brother was a burner, no matter what he ate, took, injected or tried, he couldn’t build)
Discipline
How his unique body responds to the work
Diet
Supplements, or not
Consistency of the workout
Steroid/PED use, or not
I could go on.
Everyone’s results are as unique as a fingerprint. Which is why it’s ridiculous for some star or some stud to promise anyone they can get the results he gets. You can’t say that.
My buddy JC said something so powerful today when we were discussing all this stuff. He said that these people sell a promise of a moment in time. JC doesn’t lift- but he distilled everything down to that fine moment- a pro is only in extreme competition shape for, at best, 24 hours. They are so dehydrated, so pumped up and so dangerously calorie-shy that it’s quite impossible to maintain. But those are the photos people see- of people right at the absolute height of their physical competition shape, which demands ridiculous standards which do real damage to the body.
People buy the lie that they can look like that all the time. First, why would you want to, and second, you die. Plenty have.
You might be surprised at how many guys really do achieve a high level of muscularity. What they don’t do is keep it up and maintain it. I can attest- keeping my muscle takes hard damned work, but mine isn’t for bragging rights. It’s for hard work and endurance and in case of danger, getting me out of rough spots. That’s happened, so I can attest. It’s functional. I happen to like being muscular but boy that’s a very particular preference. I was one of the earlier adopters, our generation didn’t exactly embrace that. These days too many women go the extreme route, and I’m not a fan. I like looking like a girl, and the sport’s extremes pretty much obliterate the feminine.
You most assuredly don’t have to watch this, but just look at the opening photo. My reaction?
NOPE. NOPE. and NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPE. I respect the work. But why look like a guy? That’s just me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2Z_bwYlrdk
Thanks for the edification on body building variables and the 'snap shot in time' reference.
It was, as usual, a smart observation. He's full of them and keeps me honest.
CHEERS, Julia! I want to tell all those poor InstaTik-addled kids (I know, they're not all kids, but I'm an old broad so I get to call 'em that) to equated Influenced with Conned. And ask yourself when looking at the images of these juiced, buffed, edited and filtered people — where in the real world outside of a gym or a fashion runway do you see anyone who looks like that? And yep, I lift weights and do plyo and yoga and all the things too. But not to get a bikini body at age 71!
LOVE THIS! And right there with you!!!
Thank you Fran!
I don't think my body even has the capability to be "built" without interventions lol.
I do hate the influencer vibe from those who were already skinny and shapely. I'd rather follow someone like Johanna Sophia who actually shows her journey and struggles after 3 pregnancies, and she DOES THE WORK with you in her videos.
I appreciated this thanks Julia.
I lift weights and I still have wobbly arms. I’ve built strength over the years with dumbbells—nothing dramatic, just slow and steady. The result? More energy, better balance, a sharper mind. Injectables or weight loss drugs to speed up muscle tone? No thanks. That’s not health, it’s performance art. I’m here for strength and health that lasts. I feel sad for people who feel the need to push it into risky stuff.
Honestly, if we had the wisdom to measure our progress in such ways, the freedom we would have from all the angst. I love this. Thank you.
Great piece, Julia! And you.... are..... beautiful! Inside and Out!!
There was one bodybuilder who used - performance - enhancing substances until her brain began to liquify, & you have likely heard about Joanie Laurer's final days, so you obviously cared & were mindful enough to quit.