There are lots of actual health reasons exercise is an important part of daily life.
Then there are less-credible reasons many gay men find themselves obsessing over their bodies in the gym — cultural pressure, narcissism and high libidos chief among them.
But is that necessarily a bad thing? Who doesn’t enjoy checking out a cute guy from across the locker room?
Below, guys share on Whisper why they keep at it in the gym:
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Martin Talbot
Keep a balance life in everything ! Too much of a good thing can be detrimental ! LOL
Lee Abadie
and if that is what they want to be… who cares? let them find their bliss without worrying about cliches.
SashaVonAndris
Guy who says he feels like getting jacked up is so that he doesn’t feel less manly when he comes out, that was me a few years back! Yeah definitely you get the “you don’t look gay” response, but they think twice about messing with you…
JerseyMike
The gym will be a meat market if that’s what you make it. I workout 4 to 5 days a week. I put my headphones on and I get my workout in. I am considered anti-social when working out. I don’t have time socialize. I get in and out. we all have things we like to do and working out is mine.
crowebobby
The gay gym culture didn’t exist when I was getting into the gay scene in the late 1950’s, but one of the dumbest things I’ve ever done was to let a neighbor (female) put me off weight lifting at 16 by telling me: “Don’t do that, Bob, those guys are all fairies.” (I seriously doubt she had ever met a weightlifter.) When I think of the hundreds of chances to get laid that I missed out on by not being ripped — I was a dancer and in good condition, but not the beefcake hot that both gay and straight YOUNG guys admired — it still brings a pang of regret even though my libido can barely reach a low simmer these days. The gay zeitgeist is so different now, I don’t think this has any relevance to today’s young gays, this is just the self-indulgent rambling of an old man.
martinbakman
Working out is “gay” ?
Like when you snap your fingers to the side and scream ‘gurrrrrrrrl’ at your workout partner’s new muscle shirt kind of “gay”?
Markajv
Go to a REAL gym. Not some cookie cutter strip mall S and M gym. The real gyms down and dirty but the guys that own those small gyms are always there, know what they are talking about, and they have everything you need to work out if that’ what you want to do. It’s an easy fix. (Unless you’re only spending all day in the gym so you can go out at night, take X or Meth and dance with your shirt off to attract attention of men, most of which you will reject, so you can get laid)
Dennis Soper
Used to spend a lot of time in the gym, but I’ve gotten way more efficient working out. Ride my bike 8 miles a day to and from work, walk my dog for an hour a day, martial arts practice, and working out on a heavy bag and a speed bag. 20 minutes hard work on a bag is pretty as good as a couple of hours lifting, plus it’s really good cardio. I’m almost 60, and can still kick about a foot higher than my head… and I give no fucks about gay bashers.
Markajv
David Bowie once said “All Cliché Are True”
dinard38
I don’t think being a gay gym bunny is too cliche. I don’t fault anyone for wanting to be healthy and stay in shape.
The cliche comes in the form of using the gym as a meat market. To me, it’s super tacky to go to the gym and hang out in the lockers just to see other guys naked, or just watch men working out around the gym. Triple super tacky for having sex in a gym. Talk about desperation!!!
bottom250
I so go to the gym to hook up. There are so many hot men there.
BigG
Most gym obsessed people are narcissistic or have very low self esteem. Getting muscular doesn’t make you a man. It’s mostly genetic. Exercising is great, but obsessing over your body is toxic to your personality and pushes away people. Be healthy, be yourself and watch that obsession.
Masc Pride
No. I wish being a gym bunny was a gay cliche. A lot of gay men might actually look like they go to the gym as much as they claim to on their profiles, and they could also finally stop saying every guy that has a nice body is on steroids.
@JerseyMike: I’m the same way. I may say a quick hi to some of the other regulars, but that’s it (and sometimes I don’t even feel like doing that). Although every now and then there’s a chatterbox that won’t be deterred by headphones. lol
@BigG: Generalizations like yours almost always come from lazy fatties that don’t care about their physical appearances much at all…
Bob LaBlah
@bottom250: Loved your comment. I was a member of Bally’s on 34th street when I lived in NYC. I used to go just to watch the tension between those young queens. The eyeball rolling used to have me in stitches. And lord, lets not go into the jock strap fashion shows in the locker room.
I loved how they would come thru the door looking like toothpicks but once they found the “juice man” their bodies (and personalities) changed. Many times for the worst, but thats another story. Once those biceps showed up it was good-bye steam room to them. When they really got buffed they had to change in the toilet behind a closed door. Only in NYC folks. I really do miss the place.
DCguy
I kind of feel like this topic was more relevant years ago.
bottom250
@Bob LaBlah: Ohhh thank honey. I have love athletic guys and feeling their sweat on me as they are in me.
BigG
@Masc Pride: many care about their appearance, they just don’t need to live at the gym or have the gym run their lives. A hard body don’t mean jack if your personality is vacant and self obsessed.
DDstar1me
I am a chubby guy. Never been to the gym. I have to tell you. I still get sex. Most of the guys that I hookup with are in great shape. I never understood how gay men can go to the gym, look great, and still be unhappy. Maybe we need to work out our insides and well as the outside. A great personality and positive energy goes a long way. Jesus, why are many gay men so unhappy.
Masc Pride
@BigG: Lots of fatties are just as vacant and self-involved. You’re making a very judgmental association. As far as being “obsessed” with health and fitness, there are certainly worse obsessive behaviors…like overeating.
DDstar1me
@Masc Pride…..lmao..you just had to say fatties didn’t you. However, I do agree with you.
Stached1
yes it is.
SonOfKings
Being part of a gym community can be a positive experience if you can avoid the tendency to fixate on the admittedly obnoxious and bizarre behavior of others. If they get on your nerves, put them on ignore and stay in your own zone. I want to be hard and tight for Spring, because that’s how I see myself. Not worried about anyone else at this time.
n900mixalot
Everyone is straight at my small town gym. So I keep to myself and turn my music up.