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A large percentage vehemently deny it. I am not ashamed to admit that was my biggest motivator by far.
I may be wrong but it was my experience that nothing else is as effective for developing the proverbial "sexy bod".
Yet today I would still do it if the gym was much, much closer. This time it would be for strength and posture and, wait for it, looks.
Not saying it is all for cosmetic benefits. There are many other benefits to lifting. I do suspect that cosmetic reasons is the #1 reason for lifting when everybody and everything is considered.
I've always done it to be better at the sports I'm playing.
But I'm one of those strange people that no matter how strong I got, my body didn't really look that different so I didn't really get the cosmetic benefit of it.
Nothing wrong with that if that is the motivation.
While it is not my main goal, it certainly is a motivating secondary goal.
But there is more to looking good then lifting, some of the strongest people are rather blob looking, because their motivation is strength and strength only. You have to lift with a decent diet to keep the body fat percent low.
I did get the cosmetic benefit years ago. Getting back to that at this age is much harder than it was before. If you are single it will likely improve your social life, but how much of that is because being fit and buff makes you feel more confident?
Maybe we should have a poll, in maybe the "relationships" section. What type of body do women prefer? Besides the muscular look a swimmers body type is also appealing to some. Pretty sure couch potato with a beer gut will be low on the list. A body helps but there are other things that the opposite sex finds important. A great body really only opens the door. After an introduction, its what is on the inside that will keep someone interested. It certainly goes both ways.
Like the old joke, "marrying a woman for her looks is like buying a house for its paint job".
And maybe the poll should include age because at my age being able to move without a walker, having most of your teeth, and still breathing will get you a lot of dates.
I use dumb bells (do they count as 'weight lifting'?), but not for looks. I'm trying to do a pull up, so I'm trying to increase my upper body strength. I'm getting closer to my goal!
OP, not sure why you're on such a critical kick lately. This subject has been discussed here from time to time and as I recall the general consensus among those not overly petty or overly fascinated with others' business is that there's nothing wrong with cosmetic reasons being one's motivation for lifting weights. Sort of like boxus described above.
I will not deny I like the way I look and I think weight training enhances that, but it is nowhere close to my primary motivation for lifting weights. I've mentioned before I used to be a runner and I'd lift weights reluctantly only to maintain a more balanced fitness regimen. In 2014 I finally had to admit that the leg injuries, some running related others from other sports and activities, were making it harder and harder to keep pursuing running the way I had been. In the spring of that year I shifted my efforts primarily to weight training, then had to put that on hold for my second knee surgery. By the fall of that year I had evolved my efforts to a strength oriented approach and continued to learn and research the best ways to train. It was a process but eventually what emerged was a training concept centered on the big compound lifts with accessory work built around them. Probably not too different from what many others do, really.
It continues to evolve, and now while I still pursue the same essential training approach I'm adjusting it to support other activities I pursue. So yeah, cosmetic benefits are definitely a nice byproduct (my wife would certainly tell you so) but they are not the driver behind the daily and weekly grind.
News flash; makeup is used primarily for cosmetic reasons. The majority of haircuts are rumored to done for appearance sake alone. Surveys suggest that people are buying clothes for how they look wearing them. Experts agree that some people diet to improve their appearance. Studies show that some people work out to look better.
News flash; makeup is used primarily for cosmetic reasons. The majority of haircuts are rumored to done for appearance sake alone. Surveys suggest that people are buying clothes for how they look wearing them. Experts agree that some people diet to improve their appearance. Studies show that some people work out to look better.
Haha, love it.
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