Almost all have knowledge of the body builders efforts and dedication just to have a large muscular body and I suppose most men have a subtle desire to look at least partially like some of those men. I know that I always wished that I could develop muscles and shape like a moderate body builder anyway. There were no commercial gyms in our area and also none of the present day exercise equipment. But, we worked hard on the farm, wrestling plows in the hard clay, hoeing and chopping cotton, tossing hay onto racks and then into barn lofts, cutting wood with a cross cut saw and swinging an axe. Exercise was not lacking for us yet, I still tried to get in some time doing sit-ups, push-ups, chin-ups and pull-ups. And I was a slender and fairly muscular boy but I could never develop those huge bulging muscles.
I discovered later in my life that some men simply don't have the frame or the physical attributes to become one of those picturesque models. And most of all, I found that even those men who did achieve those bulging muscles had to put an enormous amount of time into regulated exercise and special diets and foods, supplements and so on. A virtual career at building and maintaining their bodies. I acknowledge that there are some men who are born with an extreme advantage over most of us and can develop a good looking physique with a minimal amount of effort. But even they have to put a lot of work into it if they want to be able to compete for a prize winning body.
These men sometimes develop astounding strength. I once worked with a young man who spent a lot of time "working out" even though he was not a professional. He had successfully formed an envious physique which did not show his bulging muscles so very much until he drew them up. But his strength was amazing. I watched him take hold of a rope swinging from the top of a high basketball gymnasium and quickly...almost effortlessly...shinny up that rope to the roof using nothing but his arms. Now if you think that does not take strength, I urge you to try it sometimes.
I have, in recent years, become aware of the fact that some men who practice body building are sometimes turned into almost freakish looking individuals by putting excessive emphasis on certain muscles and perhaps even having certain genes which cause excessive bulging. Also, I've learned that many of them take anabolic steroids, as do many in other sports, to enhance their strength and their muscle mass. Abusive use of those steroids can be injurious to your health. But whatever the cause, excessive exercise of some muscles or enhancement by steroids, some men develop such massive muscles in some areas that they are completely out of proportion to other parts of his body.
And even worse, some foolish body builders who are too lazy to work out as needed and pay close attention to their nutritional requirements, actually inject a substance called Synthol into their muscles which causes an unnatural bloated effect. Almost invariably when this method is used, the person takes on a disproportionate appearance such as huge biceps and tiny fore arms, or huge thighs and calves with tiny ankles and knees, etc. Besides, Synthol is very dangerous, it can cause such as abscess infections which have to be removed surgically. Plus there is a possibility of some of the Synthol getting into a blood stream and causing severe organ damage, and even death.
Excessive muscle in certain areas often causes one to be "muscle bound" and even though he may have abnormal strength, his muscles actually get in his way, causing him to be unable to perform some normal tasks or activities.
There is a long article interview with a man named Greg Valentino who says that he likes being a freak because it makes up for the fact that is naturally a little man. He is also known as "The Most Hated Man In Bodybuilding". If interested, it is an entertaining read along with several of his photos. You can find it here
Good strenuous exercise and proper nutrition with some additional protein can help form a sturdy, healthy and attractive physique, but as with most everything else, moderation and common sense needs to be used.
