Lean athletic physique vs hypertrophic (roided) physique: biological and evolutionary basis of preference

[william2605]

On this forum, it’s often argued that the ideal physique is lean and athletic (low body fat, efficient proportions), while an extremely hypertrophied body is seen as less “optimal.”





I’m looking for a technical and objective explanation:


why, from a biological and evolutionary standpoint, does the human body seem to be optimized for a lean athletic physique rather than an extremely large one?

 

[Centurion_Hunter]

View attachment 4967305View attachment 4967306
On this forum, it’s often argued that the ideal physique is lean and athletic (low body fat, efficient proportions), while an extremely hypertrophied body is seen as less “optimal.”





I’m looking for a technical and objective explanation:


why, from a biological and evolutionary standpoint, does the human body seem to be optimized for a lean athletic physique rather than an extremely large one?

Because humans are mainly long endurance runners and lived mostly in open terrain so its not advantageous to tire quick

 

[william2605]

Because humans are mainly long endurance runners and lived mostly in open terrain so its not advantageous to tire quick

Alright, but if I ask you to rate a physique from 1 to 10 objectively, what would you answer?

 

[Centurion_Hunter]

View attachment 4967305View attachment 4967306
On this forum, it’s often argued that the ideal physique is lean and athletic (low body fat, efficient proportions), while an extremely hypertrophied body is seen as less “optimal.”





I’m looking for a technical and objective explanation:


why, from a biological and evolutionary standpoint, does the human body seem to be optimized for a lean athletic physique rather than an extremely large one?

Even more forested peoples like west Africans Europeans and Asians still need a certain degree of a slim physoque because most preys that small human groups hunt is preet small
Humans also have endurance over most ungulates so heres that

 

[Centurion_Hunter]

Alright, but if I ask you to rate a physique from 1 to 10 objectively, what would you answer?

The top guys looks better than the roiders

 

[william2605]

The top guys looks better than the roiders

For bodybuilders, being like the guy on the left is considered a 6.
But objectively, what does it have that’s superior compared to a huge physique?

 

[CD34]

N

View attachment 4967305View attachment 4967306
On this forum, it’s often argued that the ideal physique is lean and athletic (low body fat, efficient proportions), while an extremely hypertrophied body is seen as less “optimal.”





I’m looking for a technical and objective explanation:


why, from a biological and evolutionary standpoint, does the human body seem to be optimized for a lean athletic physique rather than an extremely large one?

Not everything has to make sense from an evolutionary standpoint… it’s just more aesthetically pleasing lmao

 

[william2605]

N

Not everything has to make sense from an evolutionary standpoint… it’s just more aesthetically pleasing lmao

Are you kidding? If something is inherently attractive to the human mind, it’s because it’s rooted in an evolutionary criterion—like the face, for example.

 

[Lonely]

The ideal male physique is something like Yoel Romero

 

[Centurion_Hunter]

For bodybuilders, being like the guy on the left is considered a 6.
But objectively, what does it have that’s superior compared to a huge physique?

Aerodynamics and endurance
Bodybuilders would just gas out while a leaner physique still allowd you to chase prey
Humans cant simply compete with carnivorans in strenght so the humans advantages(endurance and agility) were selected for

 

[chang cypionate]

You're never getting the physique on the right no matter how many grams you pin.

 

[CD34]

Are you kidding? If something is inherently attractive to the human mind, it’s because it’s rooted in an evolutionary criterion—like the face, for example.

Lmao according to who ? Avoid the naturalistic fallacy

 

[Centurion_Hunter]

Are you kidding? If something is inherently attractive to the human mind, it’s because it’s rooted in an evolutionary criterion—like the face, for example.

Hes right
For example the chin isnt advantageous
But the human physique is certainly selecrwd for both sexually and unsexually

 

[causeimight]

The ideal male physique is something like Yoel Romero

Not with that thick ass neck he has. Good for sports but aesthetics wise hell no

 

[Lonely]

Not with that thick ass neck he has. Good for sports but aesthetics wise hell no

A thick neck is incredibly important for taking trauma

 

[causeimight]

A thick neck is incredibly important for taking trauma

Yeah hence why it's good for sports but it's not what gets the ladies going

 

[Lonely]

Yeah hence why it's good for sports but it's not what gets the ladies going

I guess

But for most of human history what got the ladies going wasn’t really how good you looked but how scary, dangerous, how many resources you had etc

 

[william2605]

Aerodynamics and endurance
Bodybuilders would just gas out while a leaner physique still allowd you to chase prey
Humans cant simply compete with carnivorans in strenght so the humans advantages(endurance and agility) were selected for

And aesthetically?

 

[william2605]

Hes right
For example the chin isnt advantageous
But the human physique is certainly selecrwd for both sexually and unsexually

Big chin is a sign of good testosterone

 

[Centurion_Hunter]

Big chin is a sign of good testosterone

It also isnt advantageous in combat
Its just a sexual selection example

 

[william2605]

It also isnt advantageous in combat
Its just a sexual selection example

Why left physique is better sexual wise?

 

[Centurion_Hunter]

Why left physique is better sexual wise?

Because left wont tire out in a hunt or a fight

 

[william2605]

Because left wont tire out in a hunt or a fight

Yes but size =strenght /presence = attraction

 

[Centurion_Hunter]

Yes but size =strenght /presence = attraction

Those muscles arent practical in a fight humans use punches they dont grapple like bears