A well built physique is a status symbol. It reflects you worked hard for it, no money can buy it. You cannot borrow it, you cannot inherit it, you cannot steal it. You cannot hold onto it without constant work. It shows discipline, it shows self respect, it shows patience, work ethic and passion. That is why I do what I do.
Arnold Schwarzenegger (via fit-thin-fierce)
I agree with Arnold on some of this - a “well-built physique” certainly is a status symbol - but the two of us have vastly different explanations for why this is the case.
A thin, muscular body is often seen as a status symbol because it represents:
Disposable income. Typically, people under the poverty line suffer from poor health because they are more vulnerable. There is a very clear connection between poverty and health problems. Wealthier people who can afford access to a gym, a personal trainer, a meal plan, a safe place to store their food, a safe place to exercise, workout clothes, healthy/safe shoes, and educational materials will be more likely to achieve a “well-built” physique.
Income security. Disposable income for a short period of time isn’t enough, you also need to have a reliable income in order to maintain this specific body shape. When people are unsure of when they’ll be paid next, they can’t afford to pay for subscriptions to a gym or trainer, or invest significant money into fitness gadgets. Accumulating resources that need to be paid off regularly isn’t an option, which decreases the opportunity that a person may have to cultivate and preserve their physique.
Disposable time and energy. It takes a lot of effort to exercise on a regular basis and prep your meals, and not everyone has access to that. For many people who work multiple jobs, have children or have outside commitments, that time and energy simply isn’t available. Fitspo loves to tell us that you’ll “make time” if you care enough, but there are only 24 hours in a day, If you’re only getting 4 hours of sleep as it is, and never get to play with your children, you’re probably going to “make time” for something else instead. But if you have a significant amount of extra time each day, with no large commitments that might pull you away from your hobbies, it’s much easier to dedicate hours to exercising.
Access to health care. We all get sick, but not all of us recover the same way. People who have access to doctors and health care are more likely to rebound from an illness and be able to continue their lives in a safe and healthy manner. Others who do not have access to these things can be permanently debilitated by common illnesses or easily treated injuries. How often and how long we stay sick or injured will impact our ability to build muscle mass and/or lose weight in a healthy manner.
Community support. It takes more than one person to attain a “well-built” physique. If your family or friends actively attempt to prevent your fitness lifestyle, due to either a community bias against it or an unconscious preference of other outside virtues, it can be difficult to pave your own way. While we may find it praise-worthy for someone to fight for their own desires above all else, the reality is that this is an incredibly tough situation that may involve fighting with loved one, disappointing them, or being outright shunned. It is more difficult to attain a specific physique this way, than it is if everyone you know and love supports your choices.
Diverse dietary access. Food deserts inhibit a lot of people from eating a balanced and affordable diet. If you do not have access to fresh and nutritious food, then your diet is going to err on the side of quick and fatty meals. Even if you can afford to spend more money on your diet, it may not even be possible to find fresh foods. This can make is outright impossible to eat a “clean” and balanced diet. Those people who have easy and affordable access to a diverse array of foods will instead be able to control their diet, to the point where they have the option of avoiding fast food, preserved food, and processed food.
Education. In order to attain a muscular and thin physique, it’s often necessary to learn how we can actually achieve that look! Not everyone has access to that sort of education, even if they strive to do the research and educate themselves. Being ignorant of safe weight loss methods, how to build a nutritious meal, how to exercise safely and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle will make it difficult to ever gain muscle mass in a safe manner. Those who are educated in physiology and the exercise sciences will be more likely to maintain a safe and healthy lifestyle.
Adherence to socialized beauty standards. If you have a “well built” physique, it’s likely because you personally prefer and want to have that body shape. For many people, that isn’t going to be the case. Some of us prefer that our bodies be larger, or smaller, more more muscular, or less muscular, than society’s idealized image of beauty. Choosing to aim for a different goal than a “well built” body is perfectly fine, and shouldn’t be associated with a lack of effort or self-respect. It’s just a difference of preference.
A “fit” body demonstrates a lot of different things, including hard work and dedication, but we still have to acknowledge that it is primarily rooted in privilege.
