I’m Ashamed!
I’M ASHAMED!
I am concerned that society has become too sensitive about showing muscle development. Remember that bodybuilders were once prohibited to wear “Speedo-like” trunks when posing (compare the 1950’s to today). Remember that the original Olympians competed naked…to show their muscle development. Today, if you show a little butt (glut development) in a shot or while posing, someone usually complains.
I’m not saying that on-line or off we should all expose ourselves in a blatant sexual manner (creating offense to some), but all should be reminded that the human body is a work of art and is not obscene.
As the human race evolved, covering the body became less of a practical function when needed, and more of a required masking. Originating from a handful of religious radicals, the male and female “attributes” became labeled obscene. The mind-set continued to be cultivated by those in power, evolving to where we are today…ashamed of our bodies…feeling a need to cover/mask ourselves.
Although the human body is beautiful and an incredible model from God, great artists like Michelangelo have fallen prey by having to change art-work. After Michelangelo had painted his great work on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, the Pope ordered him to modify and cover all male/female attributes. In resentment, Michelangelo was forced to paint ribbons of cloth over all attributes. Instead of glorifying God’s creation, the church cultivated the mind-set that we should be ashamed of our body’s features by masking it.
Although there is gradual desensitization in today society about male/female attributes, the masking of our bodies in most situation still holds-true today. Think about the next time you may be in the gym locker-room walking to/from the shower…your mind is programmed to wrap a towel around yourself. Why? Are you ashamed? Is there any more of an appropriate environment to not have to wrap a towel around you? You can see the result of hundreds of years of programming (brain-washing) society that the body should be masked.
As those who workout and to get a better body (honoring it), I believe it is our duty to help de-sensitize society. Understand that bulges, breasts, a penis, or a butt-crack is a natural part of human anatomy…it is not an obscene thing!
If you believe you see a guy’s penis and balls in their shorts, so what!? It’s OK, it is human anatomy; it’s OK…it’s not obscene. Similarly, if a bodybuilder shows his glutes (ass) in a pose, should you scream that he is being indecent, obscene, or revealing too much? NO! He is showing the muscle development. Somehow shoving the back of his posing trunks up his crack is OK, but wearing a thong is not. The thong reportedly shows “too much.” Too much what…muscle? Folks need to calm down and not be so uptight…it’s just the human form! Appreciate it.
I encourage all to be more accepting and realize that the body is not something to be ashamed of…especially when tastefully done. Be proud of your development; and moreover, allow others to be proud too.
I find it hypocritical when guys approve of women wearing thongs while posing, but if a guy wears a thong, he is called a “***” or other hate-intended comment. I don’t hear guys yelling at the women in thongs as “Lesbian!” You probably see the hypocrisy and male insecurity by guys believing that any male-male admiration is homosexual. Even if it was homosexual (which I could care less), if the intent is not blatantly sexual, then so what!?
In my opinion, male bodybuilders should pose in “string” thongs….nothing sexual about that, just exposing as much of the body/muscle as possible while also respectfully covering the penis/balls (to satisfy radicals).
In a related topic to being ashamed of your body, I implore guys to PLEASE wear clothes that FIT! You workout in the gym to get a good bod, so wear clothes that compliment your body!
Too many (including me at rare times) wear crap that is two-sizes too big. Fit bodies should have fit clothes. Shirt-sleeve seams should ride on the shoulder, not mid-arm. Jeans should fit…complimentarily…not baggy making you look like you have almost no ass. Similarly, shorts should be comfortable and enhance your features, not double as a skirt.
Understand the psychology behind why most wear over-sized clothing; when we were growing-up, Mom would buy us over-sized clothes because we would quickly grow into and out of them. Thus, subconsciously during our impressionable development years we have been “programmed” that wearing over-sized clothes is normal. Now that you are an adult and are not growing dramatically, you need to de-program yourself and start wearing clothes that actually FIT your body properly and compliment your features. Don’t give the impression that you’re ashamed of your body by masking it in drapes of cloth. Wear clothes that compliment your body and enhance the features that you have worked so hard for in the gym!
In the gym, if you wanna wear tight spandex during a workout…do it! Honestly, it does feel good (not sexually) to wear spandex-like shorts in the gym. The freedom of movement and support is appreciated; ergo, why they are worn by many athletes (track, football, etc.). Have you noticed that athletes are not ashamed of the form-fitting? They don’t wear shorts over their spandex-like shorts. I believe that it reflects poorly on a guy’s mental outlook (insecurity) when he wears shorts over his spandex; along with looking silly. Now please don’t misunderstand, I’m not one of those who have a spandex fetish, I’m just saying that you should wear workout clothes that feel good and are functionally advantageous. If you try spandex-like shorts and appreciate the feel/support, don’t be ashamed that your bulge shows or your ass shows too much…be thankful it does! YOU (stress: YOU) should help set the pace by wearing clothes that enhance your features. Remember, do NOT be ashamed of your body! Help break the cycle!
For me in the gym, half the time I do wear spandex-like shorts; however, the other half of the time I typically wear regular workout shorts that fit well (not baggy and long to my knees) without underwear. Now again, I do not have some sort of obsessive fetish about going “commando,” I would simply like to hang without feeling bunched-up (the opposite of wearing my spandex-type shorts). Can you at times see the head of my cock or my shaft outlined in my short…yes; and, so what! Again, if you re-read from above, it is OK! All guys have a penis and it is not something to be ashamed of…it is simply anatomy.
On a related topic, bodybuilders know that the body’s production of testosterone increases muscle development, energy, and a wealth of other positives. Since taking additional testosterone (steroids) is currently illegal, we must get the most out of our own body’s testosterone factory. It is a medical truth that free-balling (going commando) helps semen (testosterone) production. Doctors advise couples that are trying to conceive that the husband should NOT wear briefs. This is because the testicles by design intentionally hang exterior to the body to regulate a cooler temperature for optional semen/testosterone production. Some even wear devices to force their testicles to hang as low as possible (optimal testosterone production). If you wear briefs or shorts with inner-liners, you are drawing the testicles closer to the body (a heater), which is bad if you want to have your highest testosterone production. Similarly, thick-fabric workout shorts and boxers under your shorts or jeans increase heat and reduce your testosterone production; thus, you should avoid wearing boxers unless you functionally must (as with some slacks). So, as many know, going “commando” as much as possible is GOOD for those who want to fully benefit from their body’s own testosterone…if you can get past your own psychological limits that you would be ashamed if your cock-shaft or cock-head might be noticeable.
As we are those who workout to get a better built body, you and I must help carry the torch by helping de-program society that the male anatomy is neither obscene, nor is going commando or wearing clothes that compliment your features taboo.
Understand that I am not saying that you should dress like a skank or be blatantly sexual, but you should wear clothes that feel good, functionally benefit it, and compliment your body…not mask it.
Again, wear clothes that compliment your features, not mask it!
November 19, 2007 at 1:31 pm
First, you really take your words to heart because your white costume pants, um, leave very little to the imagination. Nice job, man. I also agree with you on the oversized clothing thing. Great observation on that. Looks like you’ve got it together. Keep up the good work.
November 19, 2007 at 7:45 pm
YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT IN EVERYTHING YOU SAY ABOUT THE HUMAN BODY AND HOW TO DRESS. I REMEMBER WAY BACK IN THE 70′S, CLOTHES IN GENERAL WERE TIGHTER AND A CLOSER FIT. I MARVEL AT WHAT I USED TO WEAR AND WHAT I DO NOW. I CAME ACROSS AND OLD PAIR OF SHORTS NOT LONG AGO THAT, YEARS AGO, I THOUGHT WERE SO BAGGY AND NOW THEY FEEL TIGHT…..AND I’M THE SAME WEIGHT. I THINK PART OF THE PROBLEM ALSO IS THAT EVERYTHING IN LIFE TODAY, INCLUDING CLOTHES, HAS BECOME SO LARGE AND RELAXED, LOOSE CLOTHES, NO DRESSING PROPERLY FOR THE OCCASION, ALL TOO CASUAL. SO IT STANDS TO REASON, GUYS WITH GREAT BODIES ARE WEARING LOOSE CLOTHES FOR THE CASUAL COMFORT AND LOOK THAT EVERYONE ELSE IS WEARING……GOD FORBID THEY BECOME THEIR OWN PERSON AND WEAR WHAT LOOKS GOOD ON THEM RATHER THAN EMULATE EVERYONE ELSE. SO , MY FRIEND, YOUR POINT IS WELL TAKEN AND APPRECIATED BY ME AND I HOPE ALL WHO READ THIS, BUT I’M AFRAID IT’S NOT GONNA CHANGE MUCH! THE BEST TO YOU AND KEEP UP THE GREAT ATTITUDE!!!
November 20, 2007 at 3:36 am
You’ve got it dead on. A thong is the only logical way to show muscular development. Unfortunately, though, it will never happen on the contest stage.
Great look, by the way.
November 20, 2007 at 8:37 am
All very true, i find myself often wearing over-sized clothes because I just don’t feel like taking shit about going to the gym all the time.
November 20, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Boldly and well-stated. My inspiration has always been classical statuary like The Barberini Fawn and the more recent David by M. They were pictures of the ideal as it was naturally. It wasn’t until later that the repressed Christians started putting fig leaves on everything CREATING a taboo that hadn’t existed since Adam and Eve! That’s ok, 99% of the time, those offended by near-nudity are those who are ashamed of their own body.
November 20, 2007 at 3:25 pm
This is one of the most reasonable, even handed, and sensable pieces I’ve read about clothing. Dress with purpose, in keeping with your physique, and for the activity. Hey, that’d be good advice for most of the people I see everyday–bodybuilders or not!
–Stewart
November 20, 2007 at 7:44 pm
Well presented argument…and one which I whole-heartedly agree. Those of us from Texas where there is a really strong sense of prudence can relate to how repressed the average male has become.
November 21, 2007 at 9:50 am
Thank you for saying the truth. We are mostly ashamed of what God gave us that we have developed to look great.
We should show off our progress and finushed products. There is nothing at all indecent about the naked human body, male or female.
Dress to fit is true aslo. Wear clother proudly. If you like to wear a speedo, do so and do not feel scared. If you got it show it the hell off. Go shirtless when you can. Wear a thong if you want to, its your body.
In Europe there is a whole different mantality about the human body and what to wear and what not to wear. Totally different from what society here dictates.
BE PROUD! THANKS!
November 21, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Great blog. I hear ya !
November 22, 2007 at 9:10 am
AMEN
November 22, 2007 at 9:11 am
I agree with you Austin Gemini - why cover up too much if we are trying to show our progress and get constructive criticsim.
I have to say though it’s hard to get clothes that fit well and don’t look too long when you are as short as I am
Thanks for posting that blog entry -well said.
Darren
November 22, 2007 at 1:48 pm
I agree with the blog and the statements on here. Their is a true appreciation of the muscles and the human body. Don’t be ashamed of showing it off their is nothing wrong with nudity or showing the body off. Americans are to up tight.
November 23, 2007 at 1:26 am
I wholeheartedly agree. The more in shape I get, the more proud I become of my self-accomplishment. I therefore intend to show it off when I hit my goal without being flagrantly vulgar either. Great blog, profile and photos, man.
November 24, 2007 at 11:25 am
I agree with you when I was going to school growing up I didn’t want to wear really baggy pants and shirts as I got older my pants started to fit me more and more. I was a little embarrassed because I’m or was soooo skinny, now that I have put on weight I’m starting to fell out those pants and I love it cause my wife tells me that I have a nice phat ass. I walk around in medium sized T’s now cause I have something to show off as before I didn’t. So yeah you make a very good point. plus I love to see other guys arms in public because it let’s me know who my BB brothers are. lol I do have one question though whats up with the glitter?
November 24, 2007 at 3:07 pm
The glitter you see is party of my White Party costume…it was a crazy kinda-slutty event party. I don’t normally wear glitter (duh), although….
November 24, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Oh alright I was just asking. I was going to paint my self green but I didn’t think I could pull it off. So good for you man! oh and your chest looks great! I like the round look to the chest.
November 25, 2007 at 9:23 am
Agreed all around, including the comments on your piece being well written and reasoned. In fact, while some may disagree, I’d even go a step father by asserting that we as a society are too up tight about nudity in general. More specifically, regardless of muscle development, people should wear the clothes they want to wear, and show their body as comfortably and willingly as those who are ripped.
Though I’m not an expert, there are some scholars who believe that the concepts of "obscenity" or "abomination" are related to the religious principle of idol worship, where the "obscene" or "abonimable/detestable" acts are those if the idolatry, not the sex itself. Somehow those concepts got mixed up over time, making the human body in general, and sex specifically obscene.
Now we’re all hung up about it, which is too bad as I heartily believe that if we were more free with ourselves and one another, there’d actually be less
(not more) sexual problems and misconduct in our society.
Ha. How’s THAT for taking a straight-forward concept and making it too serious. LOL.
November 25, 2007 at 9:26 am
Whoops, looks like I mistyped my e-mail address. It’s corrected here, as is my profile name.
November 25, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Ok, on a site like Bodybuilder.com I think the point of this discussion, is "what is the focus taken on the subject?" I’m not a prude and do not object to anyone showing off their assets–especially when there’s a lot to show off! Here, here! I think Austin’s pics stand on their merits. What I am trying to get at, is making sure the material fits the purpose of this site–which granted is manifold, but I think it is safe to say one purpose of the site (beyond its commercial interests) is to help amateurs like myself develop as a bodybuilder. I think if or when the focus veers too far afield from this, legitimate questions will be raised. For example, if I’m posing in my briefs and the outline or shape or size of my gear shows through, that’s secondary to my purpose, which was to show off my muscular development. Hey, I’m a guy and I’ve got gear that I value, but showing off the gear wasn’t the primary purpose to my posting. This isn’t being prudish, it is being reasonably modest. When this gets reversed, I think, we might be crossing another boundary. This is all a very interesting discussion.
November 26, 2007 at 2:21 pm
I pretty much agree with you, but realize that every culture has different attitudes about what it appropriate to show in public and what isn’t. American culture is extremely homophobic, so we encourage women to show off their attributes, but not men because if men notice, then they’re gay and that’s bad. And pornography is in the mind of the beholder. A shot of someone wearing underwear that covers all can be much more titilating than a picture of someone completely nude.
But I agree with you man. If you work hard on your body, you should be proud to show it off..tastefully, of course!
November 26, 2007 at 3:31 pm
well, i have to say the white tights brought me to your profile…but have to say i was impressed reading your blog. i agree that people should wear clothes that fit them and all, and that they should feel comfortable showing off their bodies. im cool with nudity, but sometimes think it’s easier for a guy to be more comfortable than a girl. i personally am too self-critical of my body, and maybe thats why i dress more conservatively… anyways, good reading
December 4, 2007 at 9:31 pm
You make a valid point that I do agree with…as for me…I don’t have the self-confidence to wear that revealing of clothing in public or the gym. However, as my body changes and I like what I see I find myself spending more time in front of the mirror and becomine more and more proud of my body…so who knows…maybe once I achieve my goals I want have a problem wearing tight fitting clothing.
December 9, 2007 at 3:19 pm
A very wise post. It’s absurd that this is as much an issue as it is. The bottom line is when you exercise you should wear clothing that is functional and comfortable, and that you feel good in. Being obsessed about societal taboos shouldn’t be an issue.
Even in the sport of running it’s an issue. A lot of younger athletes can’t imagine wearing shorts that don’t hang down to the knee. I can’t understand why anyone would want to run in shorts like that. Or look around a pool; Americans feel compelled to wear knee length board shorts. Who wants to swim in all that extra material?
What’s weird is that on this issue we are regressing. Society wasn’t nearly as concerned with exposure of the male body 25 years ago as it is today. Strange.
Keep posting!
December 9, 2007 at 8:56 pm
I agree. I think that there were be alot more clothing choice if it wasnt so looked down upon. Take video games for instance. There are characters with really funky outfits that normally reveal alot of digital skin ehehe. I think it would be cool to wear interesting and unique articles however that is not the way life currently goes. . .I know I like to wear my fitted box/briefs for any posing that I would do. You get to see the actual contours of the body but without being nude.
December 10, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Agreed. Even places in Europe are more relaxed than Puritanical America. From one Gemini to another–great blog!
December 10, 2007 at 9:35 pm
I was going to write a blog titled "Naked & Unashamed". But you beat me to it. Took the words right out of my mouth. Thank you! What a breath of fresh air you are.
December 11, 2007 at 5:46 am
The only issue lies in context, not in content. Bodybuilding — like ALL sports — relies on sexuality to be sublimated. I do not mean REPRESSED, where sexuality is denied, but rather SUBLIMATED, where sexual energy is transferred to more platonic energies. All sports rely on this to function — you can’t be horny and play well, and you can’t be trying to pick someone up on the court, field or contest and have a solid competition. That said, of all the sports bodybuilding relies on sublimation profoundly. Sexual sublimation is so important to proper contest conduct that bodybuilders often even seem prudish or puritanical. (PLEASE remember I am talking WITHIN the context of the sport — not the social context of "cosmetic admiration", for which there are VERY different social morays, and where sublimation is not as pinnacle.) Competitive bodybuilders are typically so aware of the sublimation — of how they TEMPORARILY hold their sexuality at bay for the sake of competition — that they are far more reactive when they sense "ulterior motives" from another athlete. So, I find that MOST athletes I work with have absolutely NO problems with even gratuitous nudity WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF CONTEST PREP. There is actually a profound level of comfort that is wonderful to witness. Yet it is reliant on sexuality being sublimated. Garmentry like "string thongs" are unfortunately cultural symbols of sexuality. You can make millions of arguments as to why they may me "more functional" for bodybuilding, but thongs are, for whatever cultural reason, commonly representative of sexual energy. As bodybuilders are keep to sublimate, they are not very keep on embracing clothes that associate strongly with sexual context. In order to be perceived by the masses as platonic, it is wise to not choose clothing that commonly symbolizes sexual response. In a weird way, bodybuilders are AHEAD of the curve — athletically — in their prudent choices. In a subconscious way, they are almost MORE socially aware of the impact their clothing will or won’t make. In an effort to maintain platonic context, they avoid clothes that could commonly be construed as sexual. It is all well and good to sound the rallying cry of freedom, and state that all should do as is best for them, etc. etc. God bless the American way. But certain "freedoms" bear a price. It is often wiser to NEGOTIATE than to FIGHT for freedom. You mentioned an example of this yourself, as the original competitors wore very LARGE trunks. Well over the years they have gotten smaller and smaller. These days it is not only common but more respected in bodybuilding circles to wear trunks that are nothing but string on the sides. This progression represents a SLOW NEGOTIATION. Were bodybuilders to just fly out of the gate one day in string thongs, they’d be electing a very hard path — the gain of nudity would most certainly sacrifice their platonic context in the eyes of the masses — masses who are often attracted to the sport once it is understood that it is NOT sexual in context. You can see how much I am using that word: "context." Your expression of desire is appreciated, naturally, but it is a point about CONTENT; specifcally, the content of a bodybuilder’s dress (or undress as the case may be). "Best content" does not exist in a contextual vacuum. So, when a competitor hikes up his trunks, it is often done IN CONTEXT — in an arena where it is UNDERSTOOD to be about physique presentation, as opposed to titillating exhibitionism. It is done in contexts where sexuality is already understood to be purposefully and temporarily sublimated. In such contexts — competitive contests — The gesture can find it’s proper appreciation and be understood for it’s intention. As wonderful as it would be to have "every bodybuilder free’, you must understand that there is, with all things, context, and all context presents negotiation. The guys whom I have worked with over the past ten years — and even me, myself — are all VERY eager to disrobe, and have no squeamishness to getting naked, but only WITHIN THE COMPETITIVE CONTEXT. And likewise, competitors are very cautious about delivering this message to the outside world. Common society has done too much to represent the body as a sexual play-space. It is VERY hard for a bodybuilder to present their body in a manner where sexuality is not imposed upon him. So, perhaps instead of looking at "where this should go," notice "where this issue has come from." Keeping bodybuilding clean from sexual implication is hard enough. The majority of guys out there who sculpt there body seem to have SOME sexual innuendo attached to how they look, and bodybuilders must dissociate from that context in order to keep their sport legit. I am, personally and socially, all for brave, bold, unapologetic, every-day showing off, yet do understand that once you enter the SPORTING context of bodybuilding, a healthy sense of sexual prudence is of the essence.
December 13, 2007 at 7:48 pm
I agree with the blog post and I also see what you are saying The Real XN, and I think you have a point about the need to be pragmatic.
Maybe a competition with open dress standards as a PR event seperate from the competition circuit would be a good thing in opening up ideas within the sport and increasing outside interest?
In the mean time I for one dont really care what people wear when they post pics on their profile…
December 24, 2007 at 12:51 am
I understand Real XN’s point and it makes sense. Unfortunately, it simply rationalizes the repressed Puritanical American Culture’s influence on even the sport of bodybuilding. It explains quite well that the sport has to sell out to that antiquated value system in order to "mainstream" itself. I think the real issue with Pro or IFBB bodybuilding that keeps it most from the mainstream (still) are the truly over-juiced, cartoon-like caricatures of the human body we see now in Modern Bodybuilding. The IFBB are a well-known, particularly homophobic monopoly, of a Puritanical mindset, and this is to me the real issue behind the issue. A posing suit that is "too brief" smacks of too much "gayness" in that mind set and that’s something they would not tolerate.
January 26, 2008 at 8:49 am
I have to definelty agreee with the wearing flattering clothes part of your blog. I am, however, as you say a "prude" for the nude. I do not like seeing the outline of some man’s penis and testicles through tight spandex pants, or their butt cheeks either. The same goes for women exposing their parts. Yes, I am sure that some people look very good naked or half-naked, but just because you look good doesn’t mean you should show it ALL. To me, showing your privates is flat-out inappropriate, in the real world or in pictures.
February 15, 2008 at 4:22 pm
hay man if you have the body show it! your looking good and keep the good work, and don’t wory about the world, they don’t pay your bills! you look great!
February 19, 2008 at 4:46 pm
I found your blog very interesting to read. I agree with you. I wish that guys that have the advantage of a great body showed off more. I find that when I see another man, in great shape, at the gym, I am inspired. I am not turned on, just inspired. If I saw you at the gym, wearing something that "enhanced" your features, I would be at the gym everyday. I thought you were hot, especially in your White Party outfit. An outfit like that is perfect for the White Party!
February 24, 2008 at 9:09 pm
I totally agree with what you have to say……Although…I have seen pictures on this site that were (In my opinion) not related to bodybuilding whatsoever. O.K., yes, your "Privaates" are part of your body, but some "muscles" seem to "develop" on their own without the help of a workout program. In addition, what’s up with the pictures of the dogs, cars, family Christmas pictures, etc., etc. I’m 100% behind your blog when it relates to the purpose of this site…to show off what one can do to create a good looking, healthy, and fit figure or physique. Men or women in a thong or string style posing strap, YES. The more definition seen on someones body is really great. And if you can’t deal with the outline of a penis, women’s breasts, someones glutes, well just don’t look. But I really don’t care about the cocktail lounge on someones trip to Cancun.
March 23, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Yes, I agree with you. I wear myself thongs when I go to the pool or the beach on vacation (Hedonism II or other places like that) and I am always amazed by the sexual energy and on-lookers who are starring at me. I do not know why people are so sexually oriented. Of course, showing your muscles and your body as much as possible is a good target and we should stop thinking that naked bodies are necessarily sexual in the wrong sens. By the way, I agree with you when you say that the human body is the greatest thing ever created. The Male and the Female bodies - when there are nicely shaped - are amazing. A true work of art. When I go to the Gym, I usually go commando with short pants with enough place for bulging (not too much though!). It gives me a good feeling and nobody seems to care. Have a good one. Steeve666
April 10, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Great comments, I agree totally, no issue with showing what you’ve got…we do deserve seeing our progress and if others want to look more power to them.
May 27, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Right on man!
July 16, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Right on man!! People in this country have become so prudish…I am surprised you all don’t dress like puritans.
If you have worked hard on your body, one should be allowed to show that work. Stop with all the passing of judgment…when actually it sounds more like jealousy to me!
Keep it up man…great job!
October 6, 2008 at 11:03 pm
That took some mental adjusting just to get through to what you’re saying–yeah, I agree. It’s part of our form and function in life and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. I’m not necessarially going to go running about commando all the time now, but given the opportunity, I might try it sometime.
On a semi-related note, what do you think of masculine culture in America?
October 20, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Very interesting post. I agree with you completely. Frankly, I hate wearing clothes that cover too much. When I work out I wear long shorts that hang to my knees but I wear a sleeveless shirt that fits pretty tightly.
I would love to have the nerve to wear a thong to the pool all the time but I feel very self conscious and my wife doesn’t like it when I occasionally wear my Speedos, which I do only when we are in a foreign country or far from home! Fortunately, my wife and I live on a large piece of property and no one can see that I lie by my own pool naked all the time. I have a great tan and no tan lines.
I work hard to have a nice physique and want to show off my work. Besides that, what’s the point of having a great physique and covering it up? And I don’t mind saying that I enjoy looking at other guys who have worked hard to build a great looking body.
As for the locker room, I may piss off some guys but I walk around naked all the time. I sit in the sauna and steam room naked and stand in front of the mirror and shave naked. I don’t give a rat’s ass what anyone else cares. I think it is stupid to sit in a sauna or steam room wrapped up in a towel or, worse still, wearing shorts or swim trunks! That is like taking a shower in clothing. I am totally not ashamed of my package and if it bothers others them that is their problem. They can look the other way.
Thanks again for the discussion.
November 27, 2008 at 5:55 am
i really like your open mind thinkig
December 25, 2008 at 3:44 am
I couldn’t agree more with your comments. Why work out, get results and then hide it? I’m hoping that what seems an impending political shift to the center away from a years long too far right turn right will help to diminish this backward trend of prudish, puritanical thinking, especially about the male physique in American culture. It’s a pervasive sexist, male dominated, truly ancient "Judeo-Christian" attitude that objectifies women and stigmatizes masculine sex appeal, which is REALLY neurotic. LOL. Well, it’s true…and not a secret. It is smothering and causes people a lot of anxiety, understandably. I think that people need to stop playing the victim and do what they really want and not let society dictate. We are society and we CAN change attitudes if we practice what we preach.
January 3, 2009 at 10:40 am
Awesome man. Could be more right. This is totally true and its bull shit when the guys in the locker room or whatever have to hide to change. I’ve gone lifting with people before and they have to go in the bathroom stall to change. Who gives a shit. Like you said. Everyone in the MENS locker room does have a cock so whatever. I don’t know. But totally can’t agree with you more. This is an awesome article.
This also is like the gyms that force the girls to have a full shirt on covering their whole chest and midsection and whatever and the guys that have to wear shirts. Who gives a f**k, if you have been working so hard to get the body that you have and you can’t show it off. Totally agree with you man. Great job! Keep up the awesome work.
-Chris
January 4, 2009 at 9:18 am
Thanks for your comments. I couldn’t agree with you more about every point you make. I don’t think it is an issue of negotiating for freedom as The_Real_XN stated. Imagine if the U.S. negotiated our freedom from England instead of fighting for it. What if Rosa Parks didn’t fight against repression and negotiated for it? It is a matter of being proactive and fighting for what you believe. Even if it is one step or one person at a time, it is still fighting, not negotiating. All changes in or gains of freedoms or rights began with the action(s) of one. Kudos.
January 30, 2009 at 8:54 am
Interesting post. Thanks. I agree with you. I’m a scrawny guy, but I have no embarrassment being nude or wearing clothes that fit me, generally. I do get body shy around guys that are bigger than me, i.e., bodybuilders. Perhaps that will change once I make some progress down that road.
February 23, 2009 at 11:53 pm
I agree with you, generally, but you’ve got to admit that the profile pic of you now (Feb. 24) is nothing more than plain attention whoring. I’m not offended by what it is showing, but by the blatant whoring for attention in this.
February 24, 2009 at 7:32 am
I’m sorry that you judge me that way. The pic/costume you reference is just that…a costume.
I’d respectfully suggest that you re-read my BodyBlog above ("I’m Ashamed") with a more open-mind and attention to my word-choices.
As far as "attention whoring," to a degree we are all attention whores, or else we (the brave) would not be posting any pics of ourselves.
Peace to you.
February 24, 2009 at 7:50 am
i am offended - I am a professional attention whore and LeanTwo calling an ametuer like you an attention whore detracts from the ridiculously high standardds to which I have attention whored and continue to do so.
March 19, 2009 at 9:54 am
i have read your comments a couple of times. I agree with you on all points. I do however see certain logistical complications with the complete freedom of expression in the context of this website or the gym.
First of all, social morays are what they are. Changing them is less likely with a full out frontal assault than by "pushing the envelope". Your profile photos are doing just that. Others do it too, some are just more subtle. Neither is right or wrong. I suggest that if anyone is offended by such images, they can simple chnage the screen or turn away. The internet is a place to find anything YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. If you dont want to see it, then dont go looking for it. Of course, still under the heading of "logistics", with websites being rated for content, there is a risk of missing the good information to avoid the objectionable. But, again, rating are simply a piece of information, content filters are a choice.
In the context of the gym, certain levels of exposure may make some uncomfortable. I dare say that I have noticed some that were downright intimidating. At times, revealing attire even invites unwanted attention for the wearer. It’s simply the risk you knowingly take.
Also in the context of the gym, few facilities even permit working out without a shirt because many or most patrons object to the direct contact of sweaty flesh to the equipment that another person intends to use. Understandable. I know that no one has been advocating working out without any clothing, it’s just a point to make.
The bottom line is that our social discomfort with gender-specific parts of the human anatomy is the very reason that exposure, partial exposure, or even suggestive displays are tittilating, tantilizing, and often arrousing. After all, residents of nudist facilities are rarely publicly arroused once they have acclimated to their surrounding.
So, I agree with you comments and your overall premise. And I would be more comfortable working out in attire such as you have described if others were doing likewise. You see, I cam be quite comfortable working out in task appropriate, comfortable clothing. But I am definitely squeemish of attracting attention to my endowment only to have them them notice my many other less appealing attributes.
This brings me to my next topic, "Public Humiliation"……..
April 2, 2009 at 10:38 am
WOW "Austin". What a can of worms you have opened. I so applaud you for telling it like it is. When I was skrawny & out of shape, I used to visualize how great it would be to really WEAR clothes. Clothes that FIT & look GOOD. Unfortunately, my Wife doesn’t feel the same way. She often discards my form fitting shirts & especially throws a fit if caught in public with biker type workout shorts on. Truly she thinks my body’s "shape" is for her eyes only & can’t see the AWESOME beauty of the big picture. Anyway, thanks for the post & making everyone THINK!
July 2, 2009 at 8:13 am
You are 100% correct! Both me and my wife have been guilty of the things you mentioned. Society has helped programmed us that some human body parts are obscene, should be covered-up, and anyone who wears cloths that compliments their features is messed-up. YOU are correct…we need to help break the cycle and wear clothes that FIT and compliment our features. We will be brave!
November 4, 2009 at 11:48 am
AMEN!
you are aware that things are different in Europe than here in the US! There they will show their bodies proudly, and noone dissapproves of that.
I totally agree with all of what you have said. I wish there was a gym that allowed you to workout naked. And yes the early Greek athletes did compete naked to show their muscular development proudly. They were admired and worshiped not harassed.
But we have taken this to another level, ashamed, dissapproval, condemantion. I am a 50+ man and I don’t care. I am a bit heavy but have developed muscles and I am proud of showing them off. I may not be a body builder, but I am a helluva lot in better condition then most guys my age, so why shouldn’t I flaunt it.
BE PROUD!
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November 27, 2009 at 1:00 am
I stand by everything you said man I think male bodybuilders shouldn’t be look down on for wearing a "string" thong. It is part of the art of the muscular body. I like to wear more form fitting clothes since getting into the bodybuilding lifstyle. And I go to the gym in fitted shorts with fee balling. It natural not everything is meant to be sexual or alluring. I will post pics in my jock or a thong and it to show my form I hope it to be seen as like a regular posing suit and not sexual