[user104658]

Originally Posted by Jamie89

Is this based on a study or anything or is it an assumption? I'm genuinely curious because I'd be surprised if it's true tbh. In my experience most body builders aren't doing it because of a lack of self esteem or confidence or anything, quite the opposite actually, and it's not even so much about their appearance or attractiveness as it is about competing in a sport and achieving goals, in the same way footballers spend time training on the pitch or other people might devote a similar amount of time to achieving career goals, or sitting on the coach watching TV. And it's a lifestyle thing for most of them as well, going to the bodybuilding competitions and clubs etc. And really it's only when competitions are coming up that they need to spend a lot of time at the gym.
And I think it's a bit much to assume that someone can't have a great personality if they're also a body builder just because it's something that takes time and commitment. I'm not sure how you'd reach that assumption?

It usually starts with poor self esteem / poor body image and then translates into a (mostly false) confidence as they develop, that's what creates the pavlovian reward loop needed for that sort of lifestyle. Becoming competitive with it tends to come later.

And I'll be Frank and say that my assumption about not having a great personality... Is down to the fact that I doubt anyone who would commit their entire free time (and that's what it takes) to a repetitive physical activity probably doesn't have all that much else that's interesting going on.