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Boxing training helps a lot, too. Knowing you can send that 50 pound bag flying can really boost your confidence around anyone, even if you'll never actually us

by jotm 13y ago

Boxing training helps a lot, too. Knowing you can send that 50 pound bag flying can really boost your confidence around anyone, even if you'll never actually use that strength. She says strength doesn't matter, but try being around a bodybuilder without feeling at least a bit intimidated.

theorique 13y ago
This makes a lot of sense. Your physical body is your "user interface" with the world, so if your body is weak and sickly, it's hard to project force and confidence into your interactions with other people. I'm not talking about being a bully, of course. I'm talking about standing up and being confident being assisted by the deep, body-centered knowledge that you are able to effectively 'handle' yourself and your physical environment.
bluedino 13y ago
>> She says strength doesn't matter, but try being around a bodybuilder without feeling at least a bit intimidated. A very large muscled man will really distort a social setting. Men will offer to buy him drinks. Women want to touch him. It commands immediate respect from everyone around. It's very strange.
- krapp 13y ago
  It's not that strange. We're all still just primates after all. Being the physically dominant male in the room will probably always carry a bit of cachet.
- lazyant 13y ago
  "It commands immediate respect from everyone around", certainly not from me, I think a bodybuilder is just someone who spent a lot of time a the gym building muscle for the sake of building muscle, and my gf says they are "gross". My prejudice says I could easily outrun those guys, I'd be more intimidated by a martial arts expert although usually they are on the non-violent side.
  - jotm 13y ago
    We're still wired to assess potential danger and the strength/weaknesses of our surroundings, especially people and animals. The first thing that the brain thinks when seeing a bodybuilder is that it would not win in a fight, nor would it be able to run (no, you can't outrun them - they may have no endurance, but in the first 5 minutes they can outrun and outmatch almost anyone), so instinctively, it's afraid and more careful/respectful in order not to anger that person. The same goes for martial art experts of course, but it may not be immediately obvious that the person is stronger/faster. If you are the MA expert, you'll be confident that you can take on anyone in the room, which makes you calmer and increases your outwards confidence, as well. It's all really interesting, indeed...
- diydsp 13y ago
  The thing ppl are missing here is that it the muscles matter much less than the confidence/energy the body builder is projecting. Imagine the same bodybuilder after punching a baby. He won't command respect. He may gain internal confidence through his bodybuilding efforts, and he may further boost that through social approval of those around him, but it's all based on his internal confidence, not a fait accompli of having muscles.

by jotm 13y ago

theorique 13y ago

This makes a lot of sense. Your physical body is your "user interface" with the world, so if your body is weak and sickly, it's hard to project force and confidence into your interactions with other people. I'm not talking about being a bully, of course. I'm talking about standing up and being confident being assisted by the deep, body-centered knowledge that you are able to effectively 'handle' yourself and your physical environment.

bluedino 13y ago

>> She says strength doesn't matter, but try being around a bodybuilder without feeling at least a bit intimidated. A very large muscled man will really distort a social setting. Men will offer to buy him drinks. Women want to touch him. It commands immediate respect from everyone around. It's very strange.

krapp 13y ago
It's not that strange. We're all still just primates after all. Being the physically dominant male in the room will probably always carry a bit of cachet.
lazyant 13y ago
"It commands immediate respect from everyone around", certainly not from me, I think a bodybuilder is just someone who spent a lot of time a the gym building muscle for the sake of building muscle, and my gf says they are "gross". My prejudice says I could easily outrun those guys, I'd be more intimidated by a martial arts expert although usually they are on the non-violent side.
- jotm 13y ago
  We're still wired to assess potential danger and the strength/weaknesses of our surroundings, especially people and animals. The first thing that the brain thinks when seeing a bodybuilder is that it would not win in a fight, nor would it be able to run (no, you can't outrun them - they may have no endurance, but in the first 5 minutes they can outrun and outmatch almost anyone), so instinctively, it's afraid and more careful/respectful in order not to anger that person. The same goes for martial art experts of course, but it may not be immediately obvious that the person is stronger/faster. If you are the MA expert, you'll be confident that you can take on anyone in the room, which makes you calmer and increases your outwards confidence, as well. It's all really interesting, indeed...
diydsp 13y ago
The thing ppl are missing here is that it the muscles matter much less than the confidence/energy the body builder is projecting. Imagine the same bodybuilder after punching a baby. He won't command respect. He may gain internal confidence through his bodybuilding efforts, and he may further boost that through social approval of those around him, but it's all based on his internal confidence, not a fait accompli of having muscles.