How important is fitness in the gay culture?

[ross_1986]

I'm just wondering because It seems like most gay guys that I see (whether it's in real life, online, or on the media) have PERFECT bodies. and there's always that stereotype that gay guys are 'thin' (which I know doesn't apply to all of us), but It does seem like a majority. Even on jub.com, there's no average looking bodies in the eye candy section, even though there is a lot of good-looking guys who have more modest bodies....

This is just a thought, not a rant.

Discuss...

 

[Lube]

People become more realistic as you age.

At least the people I find interesting.

 

[TopThruster]

I think it's important to get exercise just to take care of yourself. I have come to the realization that I will never look like the "perfect" body. I am happy with my looks and I exercise for fitness, not beauty.

I agree with Lube.

 

[spreadeagle]

Surely the point is that it's most gay guys that you SEE. By and large people self-select images of themselves for display to others. The media, cinema, fashion industry etc create taste by dictating the 'in' look and then publishing images that conform to that look.

You might draw a distinction between what you see, or what you choose to look at, on the one hand, and broad cross-sections of society on the other hand: in the crowd of people waiting to cross the street there will be a proportion of gays, but they are not necessarily the 'perfect' ones. By the same token - when you see an image in the media you cannot know that the person is gay - that's simply a projection on your part derived largely from the context in which you see the image.

I would guess that gay men are more conscious of their appearance than straights; not surprising given that we are raised in homophobic environments where survival and safety are dependent on the way we look.

Possibly gay men are over-represented in gym memberships but there could be many reasons for this: more disposable income; the eye candy; birds of a feather flocking together increases the chance of sexual encounters - I would put 'in order to keep healthy' low down on the list of reasons why a gay guy joins a gym.

 

[Kurn]

My #1 reason for gymming? To be buff/healthy and keep it that way.
I think that if you maintain the discipline to look good, you find that life in general is easier.
Just my observation.

 

[pjlikesporn]

It's not the worst stereotype that gay culture could have thrust upon itself. It may be shallow, but particularly with the US getting so much fatter, at least it's a physically healthful lifestyle. And as reputations go, it sure beats infidelity, celebrity-worship, and (as the GOP would have you believe) pedophilia.

 

[Leidian]

I'm a total gymophobe! I hate when other people can see me working out. That being said, I do work out twice a day in my room (to DVD's, haha). How that relates to the original post - it's probably 40/60 on me doing it because it makes me feel good and me doing it because I want other people to think I look good. None of my friends, or enemies, ever tell me I look chunky, but I certainly feel like I don't live up to the (idealistic/unrealistic) standard set by the stereotypical good-looking, well-dressed gay guy.

 

[NW007]

I am not sure that fitness is any more important in the gay culture than society in general.

I work out 3 -4 times a week and use a personal trainer. I do that primarily to stay in shape and maintain good health. The more I have gotten into exercising, the more it reminds me of how "out of shape" most Americans are.

I wish more people would exercise and stay in shape.
A side benefit, it would help bring down our nation's health care costs.

 

[winterknight]

I'm so hideously unfit that some days I feel more twice my age.

I wish I wasn't, but somehow I've never been able to stick to any sort of diet or exercise program for more than a couple of months

Which sucks.

 

[hunky]

goping to the gym is a mixture of becoming more fit, healthier, and great chances of finding a nice guy to date.

 

[sheep]

As has been stated, there are many benefits from working out, not the least of which is the natural *high* you get from it. (something to do with releasing endorphins)
If you end up looking as good as ross_1986, so much the better.

 

[Lube]

I would put 'in order to keep healthy' low down on the list of reasons why a gay guy joins a gym.

Well said.

You don't need to 'exercise' (i.e., workout on man-made equipment) to stay healthy. People stayed healthy long before workout equipment was invented: eating appropriate portions and doing everyday things that require effort, like raking the leaves by hand or mowing the lawn with a push-reel lawnmower, or walking to the grocery store, or whatever.

Western societies are grossly overdependent on gasoline engines and electricity. So then we pay a gym to make up for our exercise deficiency. Hello?

 

[The_Reaper]

From what I've met in gay culture, this is what I can ascertain:

Woman + Lesbian + Fat = Socially Acceptable

Man + Gay + Fat = Social Outcast


While, I'm generalizing...It seems lesbians who are overweight are not as chastized by the community as a gay male is.

Granted, there are people who find overweight males attractive...But there seems to be a lot more who won't even give them a second glance.

So, cast my vote for:

Unfortunatly, at this current point in time, it is important.

 

[BrandonSBCA]

From what I've met in gay culture, this is what I can ascertain:

Woman + Lesbian + Fat = Socially Acceptable

Man + Gay + Fat = Social Outcast


While, I'm generalizing...It seems lesbians who are overweight are not as chastized by the community as a gay male is.

Granted, there are people who find overweight males attractive...But there seems to be a lot more who won't even give them a second glance.

So, cast my vote for:

Unfortunatly, at this current point in time, it is important.

I agree, which is why I pretty much go else where if I want to find somebody like me. Gay culture has always been about being fit and looking good.

 

[drhladnjak]

I agree, which is why I pretty much go else where if I want to find somebody like me. Gay culture has always been about being fit and looking good.

Just trying to play devil's advocate here, but what about the bear scene?

 

[BrandonSBCA]

Just trying to play devil's advocate here, but what about the bear scene?

I've been to a few bear bars, some of them usually go after the chasers which is rather just...blah. Don't have a problem with chasers. It's a different variety of bears, chubby ones, fit ones, muscled ones. Its all different. But I believe the bear scene is more ACCEPTING than most scenes I've been to...Cough...Cough...