Comments
1 Jun 2004 Muscle Men: Blessing or Curse?
![[Rant]](http://www.graxdomain.co.uk/images/site/Rant01.jpg)
I was at the gym today working on the free weights (that's right ladies, I work out ;) ) and I happen to spot a guy with a set of dumbbells. He started lifting 10kg on each hand for about 12 reps. Then as soon as he put them down he moved on to a set of 12.5kg, and did another 10 reps. Then he dropped those and moved onto a set 15kg, same again, then 17.5kg, same again (with fewer reps), then he went down the different sets again! I can only manage about 8 reps with 12.5kg. And this guy had bulging biceps, about 18inch in circumference. His friend also had huge muscles, his neck muscle was resting upon his shoulders, it was the size of a mans arm.
Seeing this feat of strength, I was a little impressed. But it got me thinking; why do we bother with weights?
- To look good for the ladies: While it's true that no lady likes a man with a spare tire around his gut, we men have to be careful not to go too far. I've spoken to a few lady friends and they all agree that bulging muscles is a turn-off. So I guess huge neck-muscles are out.
- To increase strength: It's cool to be able to lift heavy stuff, but do we need to in this age? Unlike our hunting ancestors, the majority of people's habitats include working in a office for long periods sitting down, eating food that is always around us, then veg out at home on the couch where our thumbs gets a work out on the remote. Hardly much opportunity to put our strength to the test (of course there are exceptions, like construction dudes and heavy lifters).
- Work on our self-esteem: This is more like it. It feels good to put all our energies to lift heavy stuff, to release ones destructive, stressful, angry side and turn it into something constructive, i.e. muscles and strength. And studies have proven that doing exercise that help with dealing with mental issues like depression and stress. Of course that energy can be dispersed when you see that guy across the room bench-press over 100kg, making you look like you can manage to bench-press a twig... just!
So despite all these reason against weight lifting why do people bother; why do I bother? Because it feels good to be able to lift heavy things. Because while women are not great fans of muscle men, fat men are probably respected even less from women (so it can't be all bad to have muscle). And there are other minor benefits, like health (but who cares about that nowadays?)
Now I've got that off my chest, I'm off to work on my guns.
Posted at: *pff* like hell if I know!
Your Thoughts
No comments have been made.