There has been a rise in young men’s interest in bodybuilding within the last half-decade. These young men, usually aged 16 to 24 become totally obsessed with the sport and all its aspects. However, any sudden rise in anything is usually in response to something. The purpose of this article is to analyze why young men have become so obsessed with bodybuilding.
There could be an infinite amount of reasons. However, three stand out among the many possibilities. The first is that young men have been struck with a bad case of muscle dysphoria. The second is the possibility that the recent uptake in bodybuilding is a result of the public critique of toxic masculinity. The third possibility is that there are simply more fitness influencers now than in the past.
Muscle Dysmorphia
People tend to think that boys can’t experience body dysmorphia. Some people believe that it is a purely feminine experience. However, simply put, this view is wrong for a multitude of reasons. Body dysmorphia is a very serious condition that causes someone to worry about perceived flaws in their appearance.
Girls are usually the focus of study when it comes to body dysmorphia because of the unrealistic beauty standards pushed in society. However, boys are also pushed into unrealistic beauty standards, however, it may not be as obvious.
This could be one of the reasons that young men are becoming so interested in bodybuilding. Here’s a quote on the topic “Pressure on males to appear more muscular and lean has prompted a trend in the area of psychobehavioral disorders often likened to anorexia and bulimia nervosa.”
Unattainable Body Standards
The fact is that boys are pushed to attain achievable levels of beauty almost as much as girls are. This can result in feelings of inadequacy or even body dysmorphia. Across the bodybuilding industry, there have even been professional bodybuilders that have struggled with body dysmorphia.
However, this issue is sometimes pushed to the side because “you look amazing bro why are you upset with your physique”. These sorts of comments brush aside the very real impacts of unrealistic body standards placed on young boys from a very young age. It may be those same young boys that feel unhappy about their bodies that are in the gym today.
Toxic Masculinity
Young boys are also forced into certain roles and positions within society. They must be strong, silent, and powerful. However, the primary ideology that pushes this patriarchal framework named toxic masculinity has been publicly critiqued frequently in the past decade. This could also be a reason why young men are so into bodybuilding now.
Bodybuilding has always been a traditionally masculine sport. It is full of men flexing and posing, and showing off their hard work. While this is all well and good, it doesn’t exactly have much to do with toxic masculinity itself but more masculinity in and of itself.
The Duality of Men
Bodybuilding may be currently being used by young men to try to find themselves and define their own masculinity. Or it could be used as a way to reinforce toxic masculinity with certain elements of gym culture.
Either way, it seems as though masculinity and bodybuilding have become entangled in the modern age. It seems as though there are as many young men trying to figure out what kind of man they want to be in the gym as young men are defining their masculinity by traditionally masculine ideals.
Occam’s Razor
Occam’s razor may prove useful in trying to understand why young men’s interest in bodybuilding is on the rise. Occam’s razor is the idea that the simplest solution is usually the best. The simplest solution is that there are just more fitness influencers than before.
The fitness industry is filled with fitness influencers trying to be the next big thing. As a result, many influencers are trying to build an audience. As a consequence, there is much more fitness content. More content means more content for young men to enjoy. More content becomes a bigger audience, and a bigger audience means a bigger fitness industry
Be Careful
All in all, it is objectively good that young men are taking the time to better themselves in the gym. I don’t think anyone would say something to the contrary. There are many benefits to exercise, and with proper form, bodybuilding can be a fairly safe sport.
Though, young men should make sure that they are doing it for the right reasons. They should make sure that they frequently check in with themselves and take detoxes from fitness content. The young men that partake in fitness culture should be cautiously optimistic.
Kenneth Mazerat
Sources
Leone, James E et al. “Recognition and treatment of muscle dysmorphia and related body image disorders.” Journal of athletic training vol. 40,4 (2005): 352-9.
The Gateway Online: Fitness influencer culture promotes unhealthy body image by Abby Bruyer
Pratisandhi: No Country For Men And Unrealistic Standards
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of A&A Photography’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
First Inset Image Courtesy of Mathieu Thouvenin’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
