Why are only muscular male bodies seen as attractive? Do men really need to hit the gym to look good?

[Anonymous]

Most guys I know are obsessed with building muscles, having abs and look chiseled, as if years of hard work at the gym were the only way to be physically attractive.

Personally, even as a straight man, I do not understand that obsession. The average man who stays healthy and does regular exercise or practice a sport (soccer, tennis, etc) looks pretty nice. There's no need to go to the gym or get shredded to look fine. Just some definition is good.

I also assume this is actually a very recent obsession. There were bodybuilders before the 21th century, yes, but they were pretty rare, and men who just were physically active and strong were considered good-looking.

I do stay active because I work daily in a farm and I play soccer. All girls I have been with found me physically good-looking...

Just consider these men,

vintage

toned and defined enough

skinny but nice

looking healthy and nice too

Usual soccer player body type, muscular legs and slim upper body

more vintage

They all look physically good and fit in my opinion, and I post vintage photos too because I think men in general were more masculine years ago... People weren't obsessed with perfect gym bodies and afraid of hairiness either...

Worse still, if you browse "healthy men" on google, most of the pics feature muscular men with abs, as if that was the only healthy looking body type.

Male bodies come in all shapes and having a healthy lifestyle including physical activity is enough to look good.

Overly muscular men tend to gross me out, by the way.

Opinions?

[Dinklex3]

That's not true, lol.
Females are attracted to all body types especially the "average Joe".
All of my friends back home are either dating someone "husky" or "skinny fat".
I recently started to appreciate the beauty and dedication for really muscular men.
Sorry that "overly muscular " men "gross" you out though.

[Asker]

It's true mainly for the guys I know (some girls too though). I know every women is different, with particular tastes.

And when I say that "overly muscular" men "gross" me out, I'm referring to men who put too much attention on looking huge and bulky by using steroids and training too much. Not intending to offend though.

I am not underestimating the dedication and the physical beauty of muscular men either.

Thank you for your input

[Dinklex3]

Thanks for the clarification.
Was looking at you sideways at first, lol.

[Anonymous]

Not true. Gym bodies are so overrated, and mostly by men.

[Jitternation]

No. Have you seen the twinks that women are attracted to in boy bands and kpop groups? Anyways I go to the gym for me, it gives me a good feeling after workouts and I don’t like missing days. Do whatever works for you and have confidence.

[Asker]

Yes, but I wouldn't say those twinks are a good example, especially compared to the type of men I'm referring to.

My point is that a man doesn't actually need to be ripped to look physically masculine (and I know masculinity is not only constricted to the physical appearance). Most k-pop boys I know of look very feminine face wise and are skinny.

Otherwise, society, and especially men, nowadays only seems to regard the physique of a very sculpted man ideal in terms of fitness and masculinity.

On the other hand, straight women in general actually tend to find average men in shape (eating little junk food, regular exercise or physical work) attractive, which are also much more frequent than bodybuilders and the like.

Going to the gym is fine, and I encourage you to keep at it if you like it. It's just that I disagree with the idea that going to the gym and have a six pack is the only way to look good, as the media and a lot of men tend to think.

Thank you for your input

[RobT312]

Yup that’s fair. I’m Into endurance sports Like running and swimming that naturally make me leaner vs muscular so I just live with that

[Asker]

Very nice 💪🏽

[RobT312]

Need to look good in Those speedos and briefs that you posted... lol

[Avicenna]

No, not only them

[jahaims]

Evolution

[Asker]

?🤔🤔🤔🤔

[jahaims]

Other than culture that is what determines it. You evolve to find an ideal partner. A big strong male would be better at hunting and defending his tribe. Women with big breasts meant they had adequate nutrition and hips and ass shows she is less likely to die during labor. Evolutions sole purpose is reproduction.