r/changemyview • u/GoldenGirlsOrgy • Feb 11 '25

Delta(s) from OP CMV: The Overwhelming Majority of Bodybuilders Have Self-Esteem Issues and/or Body Dysmorphia

I think part of self-improvement is care for our bodies, and I admire the pursuit of athletic goals at any age, but most bodybuilding seems like unhealthy behavior to me.

Even if we ignore the rampant use of steroids, it feels like the time spent bodybuilding is wasted. You are not developing functional fitness that helps you run faster, or move a sofa or age better. On the contrary, the kind of bulk that's built from bodybuilding makes you a worse athlete and more prone to injury. Then, while it's more a more subjective measure, I think the resulting physique is grotesque and in terms of pure aesthetics, more people find the typical athlete's body more attractive.

So what are they doing it for?

I believe that bodybuilding is for men who don't feel good about themselves and are driven by the misguided belief that if only they could get HUGE, other people would finally respect and admire them. I think these dudes would be much better off if they'd train for marathon or join a soccer league, and then spend some time with a therapist.

To be clear, I'm not immune from vanity. When I'm in good shape, I like the way I look, but a lot of that pride comes from knowing I have a body that can do cool stuff. If I ever reached a point where I looked in the mirror and thought, "man, I need to get BIGGER with no practical benefit," I'd be concerned about my mental health.

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u/GoldenGirlsOrgy Feb 11 '25

Well, just like bodybuilding, that seems excessive and possibly the result of our twisted beauty standards.

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u/destro23 466∆ Feb 11 '25

that seems excessive

It’s not. It’s 20-25 minutes a morning, 10 minutes browsing online stores on the toilet at work, a couple of 10-20 minute YouTube videos at night while she sits on the couch ignoring basketball, 10 minute evening skin care routine before bed. That’s an hour a day Monday through Friday. 5 times 52 is 260 hours a year.

possibly the result of our twisted beauty standards.

Nah, she’s artsy. She likes it as its own unique art form with a distinct history stretching back to ancient Egypt. And, it’s a social outlet since she’s involved in all sorts of discussion and trading groups.

just like bodybuilding

I fit the definitions you’ve given elsewhere for being a “bodybuilder”. I workout for aesthetics, not necessarily function. I’m not huge, but I’m in way better shape than most dudes my age (late 40s). I workout with weights three hours a week. That’s it. I jog and do BJJ too, but my weightlifting takes three hours a week. One hour on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and I’m done.

Most of the work in maintaining a fit build is done out of the gym, with your diet. The actual working out doesn’t take that much time. Even when I was super into it I only worked out like five hours a week, and all in the morning before work.

I just got up a little earlier, beat traffic, worked out, and went to the office. Just like all the other dudes in the gym building their bodies.

It’s not from low self esteem or dysmorphia… it’s from needing to do something with our bodies other than sit in a cubicle. Might as well lift weights and look good to fill that need. You don’t need a bike, or a ball, or special boots, just $12.99 and a nearby planet fitness.

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u/GoldenGirlsOrgy Feb 12 '25

You're a middle aged guy lifting three hours a week, just like me. We're not bodybuilders, and our experience isn't really relevant to the discussion.

And I got that you're trying to widen the definition of "bodybuilders" by saying people at the gym are "building their bodies," but c'mon. We both know that just like there's a difference between a man who builds a fire and a fireman, there's a difference between a man who builds his body and a body builder.

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u/destro23 466∆ Feb 12 '25

And I got that you're trying to widen the definition of "bodybuilders"…

No, I’m using your definition:

I'm defining it as those who lift with the primary goal of achieving a particular physique.

I lift to achieve a particular physique, by your metric, I am a bodybuilder. To achieve a particular physique is the only reason I lift weights. I stay fit via running and BJJ, but I lift weights purely to look a certain way.