I'm curious, how buff is too buff? I'm into the bodybuilding stuff, so I've always got books and mags lying about. My mom saw my recent edition of Muscle and Fitness featuring this guy:
Of course, she was grossed out (as usual) and voiced her opinion. "That's
so ugly! It looks like he boobs! Look at it! Doesn't it?!"
My response was, "Really? Cause that's how I want to look. He's the guy I idolize."
"Ungh" followed by an incredibly grossed out look.
Now I've noted my mom's opinions about bodybuilders in their various stages of contest preparation, from their very lean competition weight to their off season weight.
And I've got a theory:
It's not the SIZE of the guy (unless it's at the extreme, like
Ronnie Coleman or Jay Cutler) but the percentage of body fat he has (i.e. how lean he is).
Think about it... this guy is (probably) about 10 pounds heavier than a Men's Health fitness model, but a good 3 to 5 % leaner.
So you see more muscles, striations, and separation.
OK, OK so what am I trying to say? Well, I'm wondering if you take that same guy, put on about 10 or 15 pounds of fat (just until he's about cover model leanness) would he be more appealing?