When I was younger I wanted to look like the Hulk. But since I’m not 7’ and 1000lbs of muscle, I think Batman is more my ideal. 6’ and around 220lbs. Which brings me to one of my favorite bodybuilders, steve reeves. I think bodies like his are classic and will always be Ideal. Or a little bigger like Dave Draper or Bill Pearl.
I think the current ideal is a bit smaller than I want to be. I’m 5’10", 193#@~12%. I’d like to be a good 200# and lean as hell. Frank Zane was (is) an ideal physique for me. Gotta look up his stats sometime.
I have never worried to much about the “ideal man” look. I just want to look like how I want to look. my Ideal would be kinda like Mike Ohearn but at around 10% bodyfat, I have NO desire to be ripped, if I can see my abs I’m happy. no matter what you look like (within reason) there are people out there that would think you are perfect, hell look at the “boy bands” out there( and yes I know one reason is they are fomous) these diff. guys look TOTALY different from each other (and if you ask me they ain’t that good looking)but lines of chicks will be waiting for each of them, point being people like what they like so why should I worry about it? peace (hope this makes SOME sence, cause I just got home from a LONG night) peace again
Has society’s ideal changed? Yes. Look at clothing catalogs from 20-25 years ago, and you’ll see that the men they used had blow-dried hair and zero muscle. Seriously, from the neck down they looked like 12-year-olds. Go back a little further, to the Audrey Hepburn movie “How to Steal a Million”, and take a look at Peter O’Toole’s arm - it’s gotta be at least 11 inches around! Even Brando, who was a beast for the time (in A Streetcar Named Desire), looked only average for today. So the ideal has changed, and for the better.
My personal ideal? Hasn’t changed. Arnold or Zane, somewhere in there, would be ideal for me. And I don’t mean the bodyweight or anything like that, but simply the definition, quality of muscle and most of all PROPORTION that those guys had was ideal. Maybe Shawn Ray in his first couple of Olympias… I’ll never be able to look like that (the muscles simply aren’t round enough, sniff), but there’s no denying that he has a fantastic body. But my main point here is, without some aesthetics, I personally couldn’t care less about size - but then again without some size you don’t get the aesthetics. So they go hand in hand.
If I were to generalize about the perfect male physique, I would have to say that it isn’t a natural one. Sure, there are a handful of natural guys that look good to me, but most just don’t do it for me. The majority of guys I’ve dated in my life have used steroids, and I’ll admit that they look a lot better than most guys out there. I don’t think height or weight can be explained in specifics, but the bodyfat must be pretty low.
As for the boy band guys, I think they are pathetic, I mean, I don’t go for men who are weaker than I am.
Has it ever occurred to anyone that today’s standard of male beauty is being shaped by gays? Open up any fashion magazine (my wife reads Vogue, for example), and it is littered with skinny, boyish types with abs. Those are the same boy toys that lope the catwalk with the latest fashion. Because women are bombarded daily with these idealized male physiques hatched in gay male fashion designers’ heads that they come to expect it from their mates (fortunately, my wife agrees that they look fucking fruity). Thus the popularity of the Brad Pitt look. Pitt may be a good-looking dude, but his body is not what I would consider ideal. I’d rather look like a leaner version of Russell Crowe. Something to think about.
Any scientist (and I’m sure many of you) would agree that a few responses on an Internet Forum would not be sufficient and or valid enough data to arrive at any true scientific conclusions. However, with that being said, I do feel that within the context of our extremely unique (and diverse) SUB-culture (i.e. “fitness enthusiast”, “bodybuilders”, “muscleheads”, “attheletes”, “Strength and Conditioning Adherents”, “powerlifters” etc. etc.), within the sphere of the much larger “Western Cultural Influence”, some very interesting observations have come accross in all of our responses.
1)TO MEN: Two interesting things. It appeares that within our sub-culture, men's concepts of what constitutes PHYSICAL beauty in a woman HAS changed. However, it begs the question: if we had not been ingrained with the images of this muscle sub-culture, would those concepts have changed? In other words; if I had never seen of even heard of the beauty of Rachael, Cory, Anja, Monica, Theresa, Monica, Amy or Timea, would my own personal concepts have changed? Or would the centerfold still be the "ideal?" Interestingly, for the men, their PERSONAL ideals (i.e. the "look" they want for themselves) has changed little over time, myself included.
2)TO WOMEN: Your physical ideals for a man (at least in our limited sample) have appeared to stay pretty steady. And it seems like that “ideal” is more shaped by how you see yourself AND how you see yourself in relation to another man. Again…I’m no sociologist OR scientist, so I have to idea why this is a difference; but it seems to show up in both threads. Now…some would argue "what about those guys who said they like to “walk in a place with a hottie on his arms? Isn’t HE defining a concept of beauty based on his relationship with another person?” Not really. What he REALLY is doing is defining what he thinks may be “hot” TO HIS PEER GROUP, independent of his personal preferences. So…he may bring the runway model to the Company Party but really wished he was somewhere doing Ham Curls and drinking “Advanced Protein Daiquiris” with Timea Morojova on some deserted Hawaiian beach…
SOME THOUGHTS ON CERTAIN RESPONSES TO THE TWO THREADS: TO BRIDER (who said): "But I think in your case (and mine, and many others I suspect), it's more a case of what's important to you being projected into the object of your desire." I agree 300%. You see it everyday. If you think Cowboys are HOT, and you want one, you most likely will NOT like big butts, doo-rags, floppy pants, rap and Hip-Hop Clubs. You'll probably want bigger hair, different make-up styles, wear tight Levis and try to keep yout butt as skinny as possible, go to Country Music Clubs, wear Cowboy Hats and listen to Shania and "The Chicks".
TO HETYEY225 (who said):“I have never worried to much about the “ideal man” look. I just want to look like how I want to look.” I think I would agree with this. HOWEVER, “man is not an island”; even some survivalist in the mountains of Idaho is influenced by SOMETHING, so certainly the rest of us are. We usually want to “look like” some ideal in our mind, and that USUALLY is the look of not neccessarily an “ideal person”, but another person nontheless.
TO DOZER (who said): “From the moment I picked up a weight I knew how I wanted to look, that image has never changed…nor will it; because the image in my mind is the look I desire…not societies, not my girlfriends, not my families.” UUMMmmmm…again…“no man is an island”. This reminds me of the discussions we had last week when some stated that they don’t set goals and that goal setting was far too limiting. I stongly disagreed…and would have to wonder if what Dozer stated is even possible. In other words…a physical image for ourselves (or others) that is somehow pure, spontaneous and independent of any external image or influence. I don’t know about that, Dozer…that would be hard…
Well…those are my thoughts…I hope you guys will share some more…taking a close look at MYSELF has been great…
I want my shirts to be tight and my pants to fit nicely. Kinda like Brad Pitt in Fight Club. You guys may think he looks like a pussy, but chicks dig it.
come out of the closset dude, nobody cares anymore. and I am sorry but it is women that are watching pitt’s movies and are fawning over him (I’m sure some guys are too but when I see him on TV its WOMEN that are screeming). you seem a little obsessed w/the whole “gay” thing. peace
Demo Dick, hey, I’m right there with you bro…only I stand 5’4" and have currently gone down to about 138-140lbs (getting very lean following Coach Davies programs). I’m also small boned, and don’t look good when I get too heavy. I was 150lbs a few months ago. I looked bigger, but was too smooth and beefy. I also like the whole Wolverine look. I’m already hairy enough! Now I just need some more thickness. Unfortunately, I don’t have the broad shoulders, but I do have a nice back and chest!
As for clothes, yeah, that can be a pain in the ass! For work clothes, I've found that the GAP has the right sizes (31 waist, 28 leg). I wear my pants baggy...right now, my waist is probably a 29-30, but I like 31's to stay loose. Other pants are always too long. But that's why I wear my "big boy shoes" when I go out. Yep, these suckers (sketchers) have at least a 1 1/2 inch sole. So I'm usually about 5'6" when I'm out on a date or at a club! LOL!
As for my ideal, after experimenting with being bigger and bulkier and smaller and leaner, I much prefer the leaner look. I get many more comments and looks. But it does suck that I will never have the thickness or size that I'd really like.
I have a friend who is 5’5", and he is THICK! This guy is genetically strong and has super thick arms, back and chest and average (but strong) legs. He used to compete in powerlifting. In college, he set a record in the bench press by lifting 409lbs at 148lbs!!! He now weighs around 155-160 and competes in Olympic lifting. He snatches 105-115kgs clean and jerks 135-140kgs in competition. He still squats (deep) with more than 350lbs and can always bench 315-365lbs even if he hasn’t benched in a while. Now that’s a gifted guy! And he used to wrestle in high school and still kicks ass at it. If only I was so lucky!
My senior year in HS I muscled up to about 195, but had too much fat for anything to really stand out. At 5’4" (I know I’m 5’5" now, but I lose about an inch when I squat heavy) 195 lbs, I definitely got a lot of looks, but they weren’t from girls, for sure. Guys always wanted to know who I played football for. I leaned out to 160 by my sophomore year in college (MA and lots of running), but I lost a LOT of muscle. Currently, I’m 175 lbs with a tad too much fat, but it’s coming off nicely. My goal is to get completely lean by Christmas and preserve as much lbm as possible. Then I 'll start building again. I want size AND cuts. That story about your friend is amazing, by the way. Forgive me for being forward, but has he ever juiced? At his weight, he is freakishly strong. I would love to put up those numbers in the gym someday. What the hell, half the fun is getting there!
Hetyey, not a day goes by without you proving to everyone in abundant fashion what an utter idiot you are. You and your contrived macho posturing mirrors the actions of gays who joins the Marines in the hopes that the Corps will make them into real men. The end result is the same. As the famed humorist James Thurber once wrote, you can’t make anything out of cookie dough except cookies.
Demo Dick, you must have been blessed with a larger frame to pack on that kind of mass! If I go beyond 160lbs, I look horrible!
I have a friend who is 5’2", and he juiced. He stayed around 155-160, but had gotten to 185! As for my other friend, he is completely clean! He doesn’t believe in steroid use and would never touch them. He is very much into his athletics and competing naturally. He is now a PT and still competes in Olympic lifting. He is one strong SOB!!!
Yep. I have broad shoulders and thick legs, not to mention really thick bones, so I carry my weight pretty well. I suppose I have the stereotypical “Irish build”. Maybe I’ll get around to a picture post sometime. I do have an old track photo, but it’s pretty sad. I look like a wall of flesh next to all the skinny distance runners! By the way, I went to the sites that you posted your pic on and couldn’t find them anywhere. Guess they got removed. You posting new ones anywhere?
Being a ‘pretty’ guy sucks… I know TC said that we’re supposed to get all the chicks, but I couldn’t get a date to save my life! I’m 5’10", so I’m not especially tall (or short), and I can’t put on muscle either, but I’m not anorexic looking. I get looked over by gay men and middle-aged women… what’s up with that?
I’ll post some new photos pretty soon. Just need to take some! I have a photo on hotornot, but it’s an OLD photo! When I was very lean, but smaller than I am now. So I won’t show you that one! I’ll let you know when the new ones are posted. I may post one with me at 150lbs and another in my current condition.
I’ve decided to give this post the 'ol literary defribulator, as in reviving it because I like it so much. (How about a little reciprocation on the Behind The Vines, eh kids?)At a stunning 5’7 and around 170, people are surprised of my weight because I’ve been doing quite well in the density dept. as of late. I’m currently doing the 6-8 rep range which I, personally, find ideal for thickness. I don’t have anything specific planned for my future look, I’m an ongoing personal experiment. I’d like to widen my shoulders a bit and continue thickness, but other than that so long as I’m lean and inspire a combination of fear and lust I’m content as sliced whole wheat in a toaster factory (evil, evil carbs!). Lata.
"MB Eric: From infancy to infamy since 1980)
-Eric
I’m 5’7’ at 195 and 15 % bodyfat. It seems that people take me for lighter than my weight. the girls usually are surprised to find out what I weigh. What I’ve gotten feedback wise, is that women seem to prfer more muscle than they admit to at first. My girlfriend loves the broad shoulder, big arm stuff.
I think the thing some people haven’t mentioned or touched on yet is carriage, grace, and posture. The gals seem to love a muscular guy that moves and carries himself well. I also like to wear clothes that fit well, not to snug. People can tell when your well built. You don’t have to spray on your t-shirts.
I haven’t been in here in a while. I thought I was the only rower in here! When I was a junior rower, my crew called me quadzilla because of my legs. It probably helped being one of only two heavyweights also.
hrm. i’m 6’1" about 175 pounds. I would really like to look how brad pitt did in snatch. Flat abs, some good shoulder and pectorial and upper bad definition (good upper pec development so chest looks full) but not the big bodybuilder look, 8% bodyfat or so.