The Truth About Fitness Models

TX_Aggie_Dad

http://www.thegreatfitnessexperiment.com/2011/09/the-truth-about-fitness-models-baby-i-was-born-this-way.html

I found this article very interesting. I agree with the sentiment that fitness models, professional athletes, etc. do have genetic gifts that allow them to excel in those fields. However, I also think the article gets a little close to making it sound like you can't make significant changes to your body through diet and exercise. Sounds like an easy excuse that we've all heard a million times.

I'm reminded of the documentary "I wanna look like that guy" (worth viewing if you have aspirations of getting to a really low body fat %). The main message of that documentary was that for many fitness models and bodybuilders, the lifestyle of getting to extremely low body fat levels is not very glamorous when all you can do is workout, eat, and sleep.

FootballGamer58

The Truth About Fitness Models

If they are muscular they are hot

khall86790

I really don't believe it has anything to do with genetics.

likitisplit

This is a great article! Thank you!

However, I really don't think that it gets all that close to saying that you can't make significant changes. She says,

Of course workouts have the ability to help you look the best with the body you have – dropping fat and gaining muscle looks good on everyone! – and workouts do, to some extent, shape your body to the work you are performing (see boxers and their buff arms). But no workout has the ability to give you a new bone structure or more height or make your body suddenly decide to start storing extra fat in your boobs instead of your thighs.

I read this as saying that we can all be better "me's." But that we can't expect exercise to make us a fitness model.

Pearsquared

I really only think genetics matter in that specific field. In their bubble, I mean. Everyone is so fit and so focused on their bodies that the smallest of differences make a difference, and that's when genetics come into play. For the real world, though, a "fitness model" body is attainable by many people because most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference anyway (between you at a "real" fitness model).

TX_Aggie_Dad

I really only think genetics matter in that specific field. In their bubble, I mean. Everyone is so fit and so focused on their bodies that the smallest of differences make a difference, and that's when genetics come into play. For the real world, though, a "fitness model" body is attainable by many people because most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference anyway (between you at a "real" fitness model).

Interesting take. My takeaway was mainly around her point that getting to a size 2 is easier for some with genetic gifts than it is for others, although it is still attainable by most if they want to put in the amount of work to get there.

With that said, I think the amount of work to get there is something most of the population is just not willing to put in (not necessarily those on MFP but you could probably make that argument as well). That isn't a knock on people it is just the reality that it would be a full-time job of focusing only on nutrition, exercise, and sleep for some people to get to the "super fit" level.

I know for me and my genetics, at 5'8" is getting to 200 lbs at a sub 5-6% body fat "technically" attainable. Maybe. But I can tell you the reality of what it would take to get there is not something I'm interested in. I'll settle for 175 lbs at 10-12% body fat and I still think the work to get there is probably more than I realize.

likitisplit

My takeaway was mainly around her point that getting to a size 2 is easier for some with genetic gifts than it is for others, although it is still attainable by most if they want to put in the amount of work to get there.

But, you see, a size 2 isn't at all attainable for me.

I'm 5'9" and the smallest size I've ever been able to fit in as an adult is a 6, and I was way too thin then.

I am putting the work in and plan to have an incredible body for me: a 41 year old mother of 2. But nobody would ever think I was a fitness model. It's just not in my genetic cards. That was my take-away.