Unpopular Opinion: I feel muscles are overrated.

[Jake_Gyllenhaal69]

I personally can cite several examples of men that I know/knew/know of that were steroid users that literally looked like completely average guys that you'd see at the gym or even off the street, meaning nothing at all impressive. Your physique, both with and without steroids, is honestly heavily based around your genetics. Gaining muscle is not rocket science and doesn't require some fancy or technical routine to achieve. If you are reasonably consistent and eat a decent diet you will grow to some extent, again this heavily based around your genetics. Some people can be super on point with their training, sleep and diet and still struggle to see much in the way of progress, I've seen many examples of this. On the flip side, there are people that can half ass it, have terrible sleep and eat poorly and gain, again this is genetics.

I half ass at the gym and I still look good lol. I see guys doing 200% more work than I do and still look like shvt lol.

 

[sangheilios]

I believe that muscles/having a fit body are not at all overrated. However, I also believe that most men overestimate how much muscle they need to have in order to look attractive and may go for a look that is actually unattractive to women, this could be due to bulking to the point where you literally become fat or going on a cycle that takes you into juicehead territory.

I'm 6'4" and currently around 240 and strong but also very fit overall. This is a result of my genetics, I naturally am broad shouldered and gain desne muscle easily. I've never used steroids before and would be much larger than what the vast majority of men could ever attain. Most men would struggle to get a build like mine, again due to genetics, and it wouldn't be in their best interest to aspire to achieve that, if it was even possible.

Women like fit and strong men but will have a preference on a particular end of the spectrum. Some women may really like a guy that looks like a rugby player or tightend type of body, solid muscle mass and just tall and strong. Other women may prefer a more slender but muscular build, like a swimmer or a guy that runs track. However, I feel that when you start getting towards extreme ends of either spectrum of athletic builds women don't find it as attractive. Think of an elite endurance athlete, particularly a marathon runner, that is incredibly skinny.....most women wouldn't find that attractive. On the opposite end, think of something like a heavyweight powerlifter or an NFL lineman, a lot of muscle but overweight, most women wouldn't be into that either. Women also are not typically attracted to the geared out of the gills look like you see in bodybuilding, it's gay men that are into that, which is an entirely different topic to get into lol.

 

[sangheilios]

I half ass at the gym and I still look good lol. I see guys doing 200% more work than I do and still look like shvt lol.

Like I said, it's heavily based around genetics.

There's a black guy that I know that goes to the gym but doesn't know what the hell he is doing lol, he just goes there to do some cardio and does some bodyweight stuff. He also drinks a lot and eats like complete crap a lot of the time but always has a 6 pack. He isn't a big guy at all, though decent muscle mass, but maintains a body fat percentage like that without even trying.

A good example that I can cite of bad genetics is men that are from India. They suck at both gaining muscle and always have a sort of belly/softness to them, just overall terrible genetics for muscle, strength, physique, fitness, etc. I actually watched a video about this a while back and it was interesting.

INDIA & SOUTH ASIA GENETICS EXPLAINED - 10 REASONS THEY STRUGGLE TO BUILD MUSCLE & LOSE FAT - YouTube

Speaking for myself, I gain muscle very easily and very athletic, strong, etc., I'd be considered genetically gifted. However, it's really difficult for me to get a six pack. I have to be either very strict with my diet or be doing a lot of long and slow cardio that primarily utilizes fat for fuel. Back in 2017 I did a lot of swimming, just long and slow for 60+ minutes, and I went from what is my normal weight of 235-240 down to about 215-220 and I looked like a god. However, it took a lot of work for me to get to that point. I recently got my blood work done and my total cholesterol was 138 at a weight around 240, I just don't see a reason to try to force my body into a place that isn't really natural for it.

 

[thermodynamic]

Diet plays a much bigger factor, stop eating processed foods with tons of sugar and soy. Eat broccoli which increases testosterone.

I for sure feel different after a nice plate of home cooked eggs, steak , or shrimp

 

[SW15]

I'm 6'4" and currently around 240 and strong but also very fit overall. This is a result of my genetics, I naturally am broad shouldered and gain desne muscle easily. I've never used steroids before and would be much larger than what the vast majority of men could ever attain. Most men would struggle to get a build like mine, again due to genetics, and it wouldn't be in their best interest to aspire to achieve that, if it was even possible.

On the opposite end, think of something like a heavyweight powerlifter or an NFL lineman, a lot of muscle but overweight, most women wouldn't be into that either. Women also are not typically attracted to the geared out of the gills look like you see in bodybuilding, it's gay men that are into that, which is an entirely different topic to get into lol.

6'4" and 240 lbs could be considered a "Chad" type physique. Those are stats that are commonly associated with powerlifters or NFL lineman. I would think a lot of women would be into a huge, hulking guy like a 6'4" and 240 lb guy.

Good for you for not using steroids. Plenty of guys in the 6'4" and 230-240 lb range used steroids.

I believe that muscles/having a fit body are not at all overrated. However, I also believe that most men overestimate how much muscle they need to have in order to look attractive and may go for a look that is actually unattractive to women, this could be due to bulking to the point where you literally become fat or going on a cycle that takes you into juicehead territory.

Women like fit and strong men but will have a preference on a particular end of the spectrum. Some women may really like a guy that looks like a rugby player or tightend type of body, solid muscle mass and just tall and strong. Other women may prefer a more slender but muscular build, like a swimmer or a guy that runs track. However, I feel that when you start getting towards extreme ends of either spectrum of athletic builds women don't find it as attractive.

I agree that muscles are not overrated but always think that the guys with bigger muscles would attract more women than fitter, more slender guys like tennis players or swimmers.

Back in 2017 I did a lot of swimming, just long and slow for 60+ minutes, and I went from what is my normal weight of 235-240 down to about 215-220 and I looked like a god.

That sounds awesome but unfortunately it didn't result in getting laid more. If you were back down to 220 now, you might walk around more confidently though.

 

[TimothyPrice]

I don't buy it. I've heard multiple women state guys can be too muscular.

Look at a Worlds Strongest Man comp. Women don't want guys that look like that. Bodybuilding>power lifting

 

[TimothyPrice]

There are different ways to be attractive to girls. Tall weirdo like Mystery, slim emo good looks like Jared Leto. As for me, I lift.

 

[Jake_Gyllenhaal69]

I agree that muscles are not overrated but always think that the guys with bigger muscles would attract more women than fitter, more slender guys like tennis players or swimmers.

I got way more girls when I was slender with a six pack and toned muscles vs when I was big and benching over 300 lbs lol.

 

[TimothyPrice]

An evo psych alpha/beta understanding of mating would make you think every woman wants a warlord but the hottest girls seem to want guys that are a touch feminine. More pretty facial features, more social savvy less muscle.
That being said, most guys could use more rather than less working out.

 

[sangheilios]

6'4" and 240 lbs could be considered a "Chad" type physique. Those are stats that are commonly associated with powerlifters or NFL lineman. I would think a lot of women would be into a huge, hulking guy like a 6'4" and 240 lb guy.

Good for you for not using steroids. Plenty of guys in the 6'4" and 230-240 lb range used steroids.



I agree that muscles are not overrated but always think that the guys with bigger muscles would attract more women than fitter, more slender guys like tennis players or swimmers.



That sounds awesome but unfortunately it didn't result in getting laid more. If you were back down to 220 now, you might walk around more confidently though.

That's not true, an NFL lineman would be closing in on 300 pounds or quite a bit over it. Offensive lineman are often well over 300 pounds. A defensive end though is definitely within my range, Jason Taylor of the Miami Dolphins has a similar build to me.

Definitely, I just don't see the need to even consider steroids, plus with the potential health consequences and me not being a professional athlete there is no reason to go down that route.

As for being very lean years ago, I wasn't quite as muscular but I had great definition and a very trim waist. Over the years I definitely built up my lower body, if I was to try to get to a look like this again I'd probably be more around 230, about 10 pounds less than where I'm at now.

 

[sangheilios]

I got way more girls when I was slender with a six pack and toned muscles vs when I was big and benching over 300 lbs lol.

A lot of guys that start chasing these big lifting numbers quite honestly start getting into overweight territory, like they might be strong but have a body fat percentage that is legitimately above 20%, which is not good.

 

[Jake_Gyllenhaal69]

A lot of guys that start chasing these big lifting numbers quite honestly start getting into overweight territory, like they might be strong but have a body fat percentage that is legitimately above 20%, which is not good.

yeah more dad bod territory. The guys with big ass muscles and abs are on drugs lol.

 

[CAPSLOCK BANDIT]

This was a good read

 

[soulforge]

Anyone else believe men put far too much focus on muscles?

In my opinion, as long as you're not fat, you're good. So why not spend less time trying to get muscles and more time developing social skills?

I believe these are the most important factors (for pulling women at bars):

1.) Social Energy / Fun / Charisma
2.) Height
3.) Looks
4.) Money
5.) Muscles

In other words, I believe being tall and funny / high energy and charismatic will always outpull anything in a social environment.

Money doesn't matter as no one can really tell how rich you are at a bar, unless you're doing cheesy stuff like flashing brand name sh*t.
Muscles are nice but the ROI just doesn't seem to be there.

-

I'd trade an inch off my d*ck, a zero from my net worth, and 2 points from my looks to be the tall high energy funny guy.
(When I say tall I mean like 6'2"+ )

Who ever said that you cannot have all those things and muscles?

Your a surface thinker dude.

The gym/fitness lifestyle is not just about muscles.

Lifting improves many other aspects of your life. You testerone levels are much higher, giving you that strong masculine edge.



This hard work ethic spills into every other aspect of your life, such as your career.

Nobody here claims only muscles are the key to success.

You can't increase your height right? Your height is your height, if your short then it is what it is. However you can build a little and get a little edge in the dating game by looking fitter.

You didn't think this topic through at all dude.

 

[soulforge]

A swimmers physique is all you need, the girls who want roided up body builders make up a very small niche. I've honestly stopped going to the gym and noticed no difference with the women I attract.

You stopped going to the gym.

Your health will thank you for it later.

 

[Pierce Manhammer]

Those of us who lift should let those who don’t want to just spout their platitudes.

I’d normally be on this topic like white on rice, but like the discussion about OLD, people like the OP just want to argue to justify their stance.
If you don’t reply they have no one to validate themselves with.

 

[FlexpertHamilton]

Women like fit men with wide shoulders, V taper and visible abs, not roided up homoerotic bodybuilders that look like clowns.

Brad Pitt in Fight Club is the kind of body almost all women love.

 

[SW15]

The best way to get women in the United States is to be a man who is 6'0"+ and fit. Fit usually means muscular arms and shoulders.

 

[BeExcellent]

Advice from the old lady:

Fit trim and defined wins the day for me. Soccer physique is my strong preference. More lean than jacked but athletic definition.

In my 20s my boyfriend of 5 years was a weightlifter although he always refused the juice. Classic V shape, 8” drop from coat size to waist size etc.

Curling up on his shoulder/chest was like curling up on a box of rocks. Seriously. He looked great in with or without clothes but not comfortable to curl up with.

Pros & cons.

 

[member162951]

Don't think 6' is necessary.

Brad Pitt in Fight Club is the kind of body almost all women love.

Agree. Brad Pitt is 5'11 and was 155 lbs during filming.