(Photo Credits: Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels)
Hey, guys! Do you feel pressure to have muscular bodies? If so, how did you respond to that pressure?
We’re bringing up this topic because it’s currently popular with gay men on Reddit. The original poster (OP) asked the readers, “Do you feel pressure to be muscular?”
The respondents of the thread were upfront, and as expected some of them said yes, some said no, while others admitted that while they felt the pressure when they were younger, they don’t feel it now that they are older. A few of them, on the other hand, explained that the pressure they feel is more about being fit rather than being muscular.
One reader admitted, “Constantly!! Especially as a top who sounds gay…. Haven’t found a guy yet who just accepts me as I am and that I find attractive as well.”
In contrast, one respondent replied, “Not really, no. I do pressure myself to stay active and fit though. Don’t really care about having ripped muscles though.” While another gay man said:
Not at all.
Every day I live my life for myself, not for others. I’m thick but solid. If a guy can’t get on board with that, I’m sure someone will. Not to be arrogant, but I have done well for myself and I have a lot going for me. If someone is not interested because I have a little padding, that’s their loss and I wish them good luck.
Meanwhile, a guy explained, “I’d say the more correct term would be “pressure to be fit.” He added, “To me, muscular would be huge and I don’t feel pressured to be huge. But definitely to be fit.”
Way back in 2017, attitude conducted a survey among gay men. They asked the respondents: “How happy would you say you are with your body?” Take a look at the result of the survey below:
- 49 percent of respondents said they felt “unhappy” with the way they looked
- 10 percent admitted they were “very unhappy”
- 23 percent reported feeling “happy” with their body
- 17 percent said they have “no strong feelings either way”
- Only one percent said they were “very happy” with their body.
What about you, guys? Do you feel the pressure to have perfect bodies? Do you think that gay men are under more pressure to be fit and well-muscled than straight men?
In addition, do you also expect your potential partners to have a good body? And more importantly, are you happy or content with your body? Share with us your thoughts and stories in the comments section below!
What if nobody in the fitness world would help you. I tried to go to gym but they won’t help me because of my complications. Even if I tell them they won’t give me the time of day and I don’t do social media, facebook or otherwise. I do bike a lot and my drs. know what I’ve been through. What am I supposed to do about that.
I’m in the same boat, 23 years in the army took a toll on my back. It seems that these younger gym rat instructors are not remotely interested in helping anyone over 35, unless you have breasts.
Or, a nice piece of ass!
Additionally, you point out to the straight boys that…
“A Mouth-full-of-cream = A Pocket-full-of-green”!
ot
“Mouths-full-of-cream = Pockets-full-of-green”!
Hence…
they tend to see-the-light and will pay you undivided attention!
As long as you are paying them the trainers they are interested in you. When the buck stops so do they. I had a question about a machine once if I was doing it right and was told just follow the diagram on the machine which was very unclear in what to do. They will walk by and see you doing something wrong and say nothing at all.
As long as the Boys see the color “Green,” they will recognize the person carrying the Green!
It is all about Money-Honey; It isn’t about Service.
Money talks; Service balks.
Money requires “Collection.”; Service requires “Effort.”
If gay men spent less time criticizing each other’s bodies (particularly online) and helping each other/giving each other support, especially the ones who work in fitness (gay trainers at gyms, even when they are looking for sex) there would be a lot less drug use in the community, let alone unreported violence, mental diseases, abuse and lack of esteem. It’s all correlated.
Do I feel pressure from other men? No. From myself? Yes. Not pressure to be ripped but to be fit. I’m attracted to fit men so I want to be fit myself. I’m attracted to intelligence too so I’m also always reading and engaged, involved, challenged. But mostly I want to be healthy and do things that require I be fit. That’s primarily where the self imposed pressure comes from.
Not conceded at all but I’m happy with my body and I owe it to genetics. Luckily it run in the family. With that said, I go to the gym 5 days a week to maintain my fitness and that’s no chore.
Hell To The No I Don’t Feel Pressured About My Looks Or Whatever Anyone Thinks About Me. You Can Be The Best Looking Thing In The World And Be Rotten To The Core. Keep In Mind, Even A Rose Wilt With Time. Am I Right, Or Am I Right?
Yes, and that is a good thing. It keeps people in healthier shape. Otherwise we’d all eat way too many carbs, and end up with diabetes. A small amount of vanity can be a good motivator.
Bill:
“Stupidity Talks”; “Vanity Acts”
l
I’m sure men period, do, and especially women, so it’s not just about gay or bi men. But I no longer do as I once did. I’m old and tired, lmao! Still looking good though; trim somewhat on the athletic side, flat stomach, just keep the fat off, and thank the Creator you’re still above ground and healthy. Be happy with who you are.
I’ve never felt a need to be accepted the “In” crowd. Or have the latest, trendy vehicles, clothes or gadgets. The same for my body. I’ve never felt pressured over it and realistically accept that guys hung up on looks might not find me attractive. But many do and they are the men in my life I have enjoyed and do enjoy being with. As adults, we need to instill in all young people the ability to manage and even reject detrimental social pressures about their looks, possessions, popularity, sexuality, etc. Social pressures are no different than bullying. All bullies… Read more »
Bigger issue is health. Obesity is a metabolic disease . Humans are naturally healthy and lean but unnatural “civilized “ behavior messes with that big time. The pressure here is evolutionary. Genetic mechanism cull humans that are not “fit” for survival.
Yoganauts are the least fit for survival. Too busy centering themselves to see what’s coming.
Which is why I drink “Kefir.”
I culture non-fat milk with Kefir Grains.
Kefir is virtually a “Complete Food.”
I thought for years that my body was just fine, more of a bear body but fit and I wasn’t ashamed but then I had surgery to remove part of my colon and the surgeon did a horrible job, now I have two scars that are prominent on my lower belly and I hate facing people at pool parties or even just to meet for sex, always wondering what are thinking, are they disgusted, do they care, and does it hurt me from finding a special guy to be with? I think it does so for me, how you look… Read more »
Well, scarring to a certain extent is governed by your genetics. For some lucky people, scars fade. However, a good cosmetic plastic surgeon can often do scar revision. However, I’m thinking scars on your tummy might rather be an interesting topic of conversation, given a bit of “spin” on matters, for example: “Yes, I was pleased the surgeon did such a bad job on my tummy tuck, because now my cock looks so much more handsome in comparison.” Such humorous ridiculous logic changes the atmosphere. Also, as long as the rest of your body and face are within normal parameters,… Read more »
Yes, as a short-statured bi male I feel the pressure from both sides that I don’t measure up to the societal norms of the physical stature a man is supposed to be to exemplify masculinity. I feel like everything else has to be perfect because of this short-coming.
Duh! And writers like you compound it by constantly featuring “hot” guys. Six-pack abs are not hot! Real hotness comes from within, from being a good and kind lover.
Seeing how overweight most men are, I’d say that there aren’t enough with body image issues.
Exactly! Many more men (and women) should be having body issues. Look at the statistics: Americans are now the ugliest fat people in the world. Fat is unhealthy.
At my age It’s to late to worry about that But I am still Fit
Gay men need to get that superficial and skewed things like having a “perfect” muscle-bound body, low fat count, etc. has nothing to do with masculinity, nor being an attractive person. And as a result, you now have lot of the younger generation gays who can’t really determine was sexy or masculine or attractive really is. Your physical shape should be a health issue, not an attraction issue.