[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.

[Jamie89]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

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.

Again though what are you basing all this on lol?
It tends to start with general fitness and them realising that it's something they enjoy/they're good at, just as professional footballers don't suddenly become professional, they just enjoy the sport and realise they're good at it. My auntie was a body builder and she started because she was always active and naturally strong, she was a judo (or something similar idk) champion as a teen, she's a competitive person, and she was introduced to it all through her social circle at the gym and becoming interested watching the competitions etc. None of that has anything to do with personality deficiencies or inability to have a normal life. She had a job while she competed, was a wife and mother, and she has an excellent personality And she didn't spend her entire free time at the gym, like I said it's only really close to the competitions they ramp up the training. Outside of that it's maybe 1 or 2 hours a day depending on the person, and not every day. Its just as much about their technique and diet as it is the actual training. And any body builder will tell you that their muscles need rest time so it just isn't true that their entire free time is spent working out.
I think people tend to make assumptions about bodybuilders that they wouldn't make about other athletes and sportspeople because of the judgements that other people make on bodybuilders' appearances. Because they're judged on attractiveness by other people it's assumed that that's the reason they enter into it, but that's all misconceptions. If you take that away you're left with a competitive sportsperson just like any other.