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

rachmaree

nice post, ninerbuff!

Scott613

You forgot to cite your peer reviewed studies on this.

mandylooo

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

Thank you! This is perfect!

Rae6503

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

This would be BULKY

I don't recall giving you permission to post my picture on here.

HOSED49

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

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

Jenna Renee is my newest fitness motivator. She lifts heavy weights and is muscular!!!

Jenna is def in fantastic shape, and apparently knows my future 2nd wife (Jamie )

ArroganceInStep

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

Shock_Wave

I just wanted to add that just because you have low body fat % does not mean you will look more defined or muscular as you can clearly see here.

Matiara

Thank you. I was beginning to think that I was the only one who realized that, more often than not, most women who say they don't want to get "bulky" mean that they don't want to look what they view as overly muscular.

Rae6503

Thank you. I was beginning to think that I was the only one who realized that, more often than not, most women who say they don't want to get "bulky" mean that they don't want to look what they view as overly muscular.

Also, when a lot of women say "I'm getting bulky" they don't realize it's due to their body fat percentage and that if they'd be patient and lose a little more body fat, they'd probably be really happy with those once "bulky" muscles.

Yanicka1

I just wanted to add that just because you have low body fat % does not mean you will look more defined or muscular as you can clearly see here.

I really do not like skinny bashing but this picture just makes me sad

CoryIda

I just wanted to add that just because you have low body fat % does not mean you will look more defined or muscular as you can clearly see here.

I really do not like skinny bashing but this picture just makes me sad

Me, too. I feel like I should use her legs as dental floss.
Then again, I swear the "bulky" picture must be my long lost twin, so I'm odd.

nutandbutter

Thank you. I was beginning to think that I was the only one who realized that, more often than not, most women who say they don't want to get "bulky" mean that they don't want to look what they view as overly muscular.

Also, when a lot of women say "I'm getting bulky" they don't realize it's due to their body fat percentage and that if they'd be patient and lose a little more body fat, they'd probably be really happy with those once "bulky" muscles.

So true.

pamelad77

If I were an olympic athlete, I don't think I'd care much about being bulky either.

Cause I'm at the Olympics, biatches.

ROFL!

ninerbuff

When men "bulk up" they are adding muscle and fat on a calorie surplus. When women think they "bulk up" from lifting weights, they are usually on calorie deficit.
This is why I think it's important to define the right terminology when using the word "bulky" or even "toned/toning". People latch onto the wrong ideas of what they really mean.


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

Trail_Addict

Jenna Renee is my newest fitness motivator. She lifts heavy weights and is muscular!!!

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.

Yah, I'd kick her out of my hot tub too!

patricknsmith

Jenna Renee is my newest fitness motivator. She lifts heavy weights and is muscular!!!

And on that note...I can go to bed happy. LOL