"Bulky" vs "Muscular". The real definition.

ninerbuff
ninerbuff Posts: 48,984 Member
I wanted people here (especially females) to know what the difference is between "bulky" and "muscular" because for some reason, many think they are one in the same when they aren't. So first let's define the words:

bulk·y (blk)
adj. bulk·i·er, bulk·i·est
1. Having considerable bulk; massive.
2. Of large size for its weight: a bulky knit.
3. Clumsy to manage; unwieldy.


mus·cu·lar (msky-lr)
adj.
1. Of, relating to, or consisting of muscle: muscular contraction.
2. Having well-developed muscles: a muscular build.
3. Having or suggesting great forcefulness, especially at the expense of subtlety: muscular reasoning that does not bother with the finer points; muscular advocacy groups.




bobrien.jpg

This would be BULKY


fitnessgirl1.jpg

This (at least here on the forums by most members) would be MUSCULAR


As you can see there is a definite difference. So when a female here says "she looks too bulky" and is referring to a "muscular" female, then the description is WRONG. What should be said is she is "too muscular" for my liking. Now of course "muscularity" is defined by how much definition and body fat you're carrying so you can be muscular and not so defined. Like this:

BielBlue1.jpg
BielWorkingOutJun2006368.jpg
Just thought that needed to cleared up.


A.C.E. Certified Group Fitness and Personal Trainer
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Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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Replies

  • grapenutSF
    grapenutSF Posts: 648 Member
    much is in the eye of the beholder, of course, but I'd love to be "muscular and not so defined" if that's what it looks like!
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    great post.
    *waiting for the first poster to say ewwww or gross*
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    So to sum up:

    Bulky = muscular with high body fat, 27%+

    Muscular = muscles with moderate body fat. 20% to 26%

    Muscular and defined = muscles and lower body fat 12% to 19%
  • CMmrsfloyd
    CMmrsfloyd Posts: 2,380 Member
    LOVE the muscular look whether more defined or not. LOVE it.
  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    I'm having trouble concentrating for some reason
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    So to sum up:

    Bulky = muscular with high body fat, 27%+

    Muscular = muscles with moderate body fat. 20% to 26%

    Muscular and defined = muscles and lower body fat 12% to 19%
    this is the way i always thought of it. i definitely consider myself bulky because i have some pretty significant muscle under some pretty significant fat :laugh:
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,984 Member
    So to sum up:

    Bulky = muscular with high body fat, 27%+

    Muscular = muscles with moderate body fat. 20% to 26%

    Muscular and defined = muscles and lower body fat 12% to 19%
    Winner, winner chicken dinner!!!!


    A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition[/b
  • kekl
    kekl Posts: 382 Member
    Great post!
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    Jessica Biel is WAY too bulky!!!




    I mean she has TWO tops on and everything. Far too much for my liking. =)



    Nice post man
  • tangal88
    tangal88 Posts: 689
    Muscular = muscles with moderate body fat. 20% to 26% - this and the last image shown, is my body type look exactly. (currently)

    And right now I am trying to drop a bit more bodyfat to get a bit more defined, for me, specifically in lower belly area, and abs.

    Nice post to help clarify. Thanks
  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
    Jenna Renee is my newest fitness motivator. She lifts heavy weights and is muscular!!!

    jenna.jpg

    jenna_renee_5.jpg

    jennajamie.jpg
  • nammer79
    nammer79 Posts: 664 Member
    Hey man hell of a presentation with some very good information in it and the visuals added just the right amount of help to keep a reader interested and focused.

    The sad part is when I hit my go I’ll still be a bulky dude but hey I can always set a new goal after that.

    Keep the good informative post coming thanks man.
  • BlackRangerX
    BlackRangerX Posts: 133 Member
    THANNNKKKK YYYOUUUUUUU for this post. I try and explain this EVERYDAY!!
  • btdublin
    btdublin Posts: 250 Member
    Jessica Biel is WAY too bulky!!!

    I mean she has TWO tops on and everything. Far too much for my liking. =)

    Nice post man

    Agree. No big fan of Jessica Biel - but otherwise yes girls should strength train cos they are v unlikely to get Bulky!
  • Smuterella
    Smuterella Posts: 1,623 Member
    Thank you!
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    No big fan of Jessica Biel

    I think you missed my point =)
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,984 Member
    No big fan of Jessica Biel

    I think you missed my point =)
    Yeah, those girls are nice huh?


    A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition[/b
  • juliesummers
    juliesummers Posts: 738 Member
    Jenna Renee is my newest fitness motivator. She lifts heavy weights and is muscular!!!

    jenna.jpg

    jenna_renee_5.jpg

    jennajamie.jpg

    I'm not digging the fake breasts (I don't have an issue with breast implants, I just don't love the way her's look), but other than that I think she has a great, yet attainable, body.
  • robin52077
    robin52077 Posts: 4,383 Member
    So to sum up:

    Bulky = muscular with high body fat, 27%+

    Muscular = muscles with moderate body fat. 20% to 26%

    Muscular and defined = muscles and lower body fat 12% to 19%
    Winner, winner chicken dinner!!!!


    A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition[/b

    Thank you for this thread! Sooo tired of seeing people refer to hot ripped chicks as "bulky". :noway:

    Now I just need to get my BF% tested professionally so I can determine if I am "muscular and defined" or just "muscular"...since I think I am hovering somewhere around 19 or 20 percent. :wink:
  • rachmaree
    rachmaree Posts: 782 Member
    nice post, ninerbuff!
  • Scott613
    Scott613 Posts: 2,317 Member
    You forgot to cite your peer reviewed studies on this.
  • mandylooo
    mandylooo Posts: 456 Member
    So to sum up:

    Bulky = muscular with high body fat, 27%+

    Muscular = muscles with moderate body fat. 20% to 26%

    Muscular and defined = muscles and lower body fat 12% to 19%

    The problem is, the words will mean different things to different people - that's the nature of language. Bulky doesn't necessarily imply having much muscle at all (though clearly the pictured shot putter is quite muscular). Similarly, you can be muscular but undefined or be very defined and but not actually that muscular (think Iggy Pop). You can try to pin a technical meaning to a word, as you have done above, but what you're actually talking about is % body fat
  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    Thank you! This is perfect!
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    So to sum up:

    Bulky = muscular with high body fat, 27%+

    Muscular = muscles with moderate body fat. 20% to 26%

    Muscular and defined = muscles and lower body fat 12% to 19%

    The problem is, the words will mean different things to different people - that's the nature of language. Bulky doesn't necessarily imply having much muscle at all (though clearly the pictured shot putter is quite muscular). Similarly, you can be muscular but undefined or be very defined and but not actually that muscular (think Iggy Pop). You can try to pin a technical meaning to a word, as you have done above, but what you're actually talking about is % body fat

    True, but we can try to make things clearer. High body fat w/ now muscles would be "chubby" not "bulky". Low body fat with small muscles would just be "skinny" not "muscular and defined".
  • CoryIda
    CoryIda Posts: 7,870 Member

    bobrien.jpg

    This would be BULKY
    I don't recall giving you permission to post my picture on here. :)
  • HOSED49
    HOSED49 Posts: 642 Member
    since we cant call anyone out on here I am wating for " Bdh78 " not his real name but close, to cite how this is wrong because he read it was....
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,984 Member
    since we cant call anyone out on here I am wating for " Bdh78 " not his real name but close, to cite how this is wrong because he read it was....
    Who Dat?


    A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition[/b
  • tquig
    tquig Posts: 176 Member
    Jenna Renee is my newest fitness motivator. She lifts heavy weights and is muscular!!!

    jennajamie.jpg

    Jenna is def in fantastic shape, and apparently knows my future 2nd wife (Jamie :love: )
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    since we cant call anyone out on here I am wating for " Bdh78 " not his real name but close, to cite how this is wrong because he read it was....
    Who Dat?


    A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition[/b

    Subtract one from each...it's silly