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Original poster

Why are so many men obsessed with getting abs?

296 replies

PGWo · 09/04/2022 10:43

I see it on the cover of any men's magazines when I go out. Why do men starve themselves and spend every waking hour working out just to get some bumps on their stomach?
Do they actually think it would impress women? Any woman who cares about abs probably isn't worth their time anyway.Grin

OP posts:
5128gap · 09/04/2022 11:02

They look amazing? Definitely impress me, shallow creature that I am!Blush And, I am worth it!
I've yet to meet a man prepared to starve himself for them though. Those I know who have them spend a fair bit of time in the gym (but love it) and do manual jobs, but eat junk food like its going out of fashion. And are young.
Tbh though, given the amount of stuff the average woman feels obliged to do, it's the very least we could expect from them.

Vohgue · 09/04/2022 11:03

Do they? I dated someone who was incredibly ripped and he spent 2+ hours in the gym daily and tbh it was a very annoying. He didnt do it for anyone much but himself however. Most men are not like that ime.

Branleuse · 09/04/2022 11:07

I imagine lots of young men want definined muscles as its generally seen as positive and attractive and a sign of determinedness, commitment, health, wellbeing and strength. Its quite a masculine look too.
Im not against it. I think it looks nice and feeling fit and strong is brilliant.

Where are all these men?

GeneLovesJezebel · 09/04/2022 11:08

It would impress me.

MaryAndHerNet · 09/04/2022 11:09

Is this some kind of reverse of some incel type logic or something?

"Why are so many women obsessed with heels and makeup?"

"Do they actually think it would impress men? Any man who cares about makeup and heels probably isn't worth their time anyway"

Cause like, same as a lot of women don't dress up for men, a lot of men don't workout for women, they just like being fit or like how it looks etc.

drpet49 · 09/04/2022 11:11

Same reason women do it.

Deux · 09/04/2022 11:12

Much better than a flabby gut on someone who thinks he’s god’s gift just by dint of being male.

Original poster
PGWo · 09/04/2022 11:13

The solution to women feeling insecure from objectification is to stop objectifying them, not to objectify men. Making men feel bad about their appearance doesn't make women better off.

Why are you impressed by them? What about the bumps are amazing?

OP posts:
FitAt50 · 09/04/2022 11:13

Maybe it's not to impress women, maybe it's for themselves. Why so many women want breast implants.

isitbedyet · 09/04/2022 11:18

My DH goes the gym and is obsessed with abs and appearance. However I couldn't care less? They don't impress me an doesn't do anything for me either ! Plus il never go the gym and I'm a happy size 12 so 🤷🏼‍♀️ haha I ain't gettin abs to impress anyone !

Hawkins001 · 09/04/2022 11:20

Without further research, I'd guess it's a mix of psychology reasons

LegMeChicken · 09/04/2022 11:24

@PGWo

The solution to women feeling insecure from objectification is to stop objectifying them, not to objectify men. Making men feel bad about their appearance doesn't make women better off.

Why are you impressed by them? What about the bumps are amazing?

Takes a lot of effort, dedication and eating lots of the right foods. Which impresses me, being fit myself.

Btw they don't 'starve themselves'. It takes a lot of the right foods to get those muscles.

Same for 'models' whom people claim eat only salad etc... they actually have a lot of wiry strength to have smooth muscles. You ain't getting that on a couple of leaves a day.

LegMeChicken · 09/04/2022 11:25

@MaryAndHerNet

Is this some kind of reverse of some incel type logic or something?

"Why are so many women obsessed with heels and makeup?"

"Do they actually think it would impress men? Any man who cares about makeup and heels probably isn't worth their time anyway"

Cause like, same as a lot of women don't dress up for men, a lot of men don't workout for women, they just like being fit or like how it looks etc.

Also this. Your misandry is showing OP... YOU'RE the one objectifying men assuming they do it to impress women
Fairislefandango · 09/04/2022 11:28

Because making yourself look more attractive (according to the standards of he day) is normal human behaviour. Much, much more has always been expected of women in terms of the length they should go to for this, but that doesn't mean men are entirely immune to a bit of pressure.

Personally I don't find defined abs especially attractive, and I find men who are very invested in their appearance actively unattractive.

heartofgrass · 09/04/2022 11:28

I love them 😋

It's an outward reflection of strength, discipline and dedication (apart from those young ones who as a PP said scoff junk food but stay fit anyway)

I will admit tho, a softer podge belly is more comfy to rest your head on while watching Netflix. Those six packs can be a bit uncomfy

Original poster
PGWo · 09/04/2022 11:37

The solution to women feeling insecure from objectification is to stop objectifying them, not to objectify men. Making men feel bad about their appearance doesn't make women better off.

Why are you impressed by them? What about the bumps are amazing?

@5128gap

OP posts:
eddiemairswife · 09/04/2022 11:39

I prefer to see men clothed rather than half-naked.

Original poster
PGWo · 09/04/2022 11:40

@MaryAndHerNet
@LegMeChicken

The people here objectifying men are those gushing over abs in the first place. The magazines advertize getting abs as a way to attract women. They explicitly say so.

I understand abs take a lot of effort, that is sort of my point. Why do they take all of this effort?

OP posts:
Original poster
PGWo · 09/04/2022 11:44

@Branleuse
Why should we want men to look masculine? Should we still expect women to look and act feminine? Would it not be better if we moved past these silly gender roles?
Concepts such as masculinity vary throughout space and time. What may be now considered feminine may have been considered masculine in the past and vice versa. For instance, bodybuilders were considered to be feminine in the seventies due to their obsession with bodily aesthetics.

OP posts:
Original poster
PGWo · 09/04/2022 11:46

Why would it impress you? @GeneLovesJezebel

Are there women trying to do it? I don't think it's as common as with men. @drpet49

OP posts:
MoreHolidays · 09/04/2022 11:48

@Fairislefandango

Because making yourself look more attractive (according to the standards of he day) is normal human behaviour. Much, much more has always been expected of women in terms of the length they should go to for this, but that doesn't mean men are entirely immune to a bit of pressure.

Personally I don't find defined abs especially attractive, and I find men who are very invested in their appearance actively unattractive.

I do not know if it is that much of a difference. Throughout cinematic history, studios have cast muscular men to appeal to female audiences.
SilkenBunny · 09/04/2022 11:49

I find gym-ripped men quite unattractive because I can imagine the level of obsession must be quite high to achieve such a body shape. I can't imagine being with someone like that. I like fit slim men who have a good (but not ripped) bod due to a more holistic approach - a combination of good eating with an active physical job or regular cycle rides / running where the pursuit of fitness is more important than a ripped physique.

PurpleDaisies · 09/04/2022 11:50

@PGWo

Why would it impress you? *@GeneLovesJezebel*

Are there women trying to do it? I don't think it's as common as with men. @drpet49

Women might not be trying to get abs but there are plenty of other ways that women work out to try and make their bodies more attractive to men. It’s ludicrous to pretend otherwise.

I’m not personally a fan of really big muscles and unless a guy was topless, I’d have no idea about his abs. It’s pretty normal to find people who look fit attractive.

CheshireChat · 09/04/2022 11:52

What's the point you're trying to make though? Abs are bad/ unhealthy? You disagree with the pressure on men?

Original poster
PGWo · 09/04/2022 11:53

@PurpleDaisies

I have never heard of a woman working out to impress men. I think most women just feel insecure due to the absurd beauty standards they have to deal with, which are made by men.

OP posts: