The obsession with bulging muscles – looking ripped might seem like the ultimate goal, it’s also sparking some serious mental health issues for men.
Johnny Simmonds
Men's critical thinker.
You might’ve heard of “bigorexia” or muscle dysmorphia – it’s when guys become fixated on having a super jacked physique. This obsession can lead to all sorts of problems, like feeling down, stressed, or even resorting to steroids. Not exactly the picture of health.
Our phones are constantly bombarding us with images of ripped men, making us forget what a normal, healthy body even looks like. It’s toxic – and social media is to blame for feeding us this diet.
Apps like TikTok and Instagram create this loop where we’re always chasing an ideal that’s basically impossible for most of us to reach. And even if by some miracle you do get there, the validation you get online just pushes you deeper into this unhealthy mindset.
It’s not just us adults feeling the pressure either. Teenagers are especially vulnerable. It’s that time of life when you’re still figuring out who you are, and the pressure to fit a certain body type can mess with your head big time.
Exercise is great, but there’s a line. Most of those Insta-famous ripped men? They’ve got a whole team behind them, not to mention filters and photoshop. So trying to live up to those standards is like chasing a unicorn – it’s just not gonna happen.
And parents, keep an eye out and talk to your kids about what’s real and what’s not when it comes to body image.
Sure, looking fit is important, but it’s not everything. Fitness should be about feeling good, not just looking good for insta and other online dog shows.
Shirtless muscular man doing biceps workout.
