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

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ninerbuff
ninerbuff Posts: 48,529 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
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
IDEA Fitness member
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
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    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
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    great post.
    *waiting for the first poster to say ewwww or gross*
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
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    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: 2,383 Member
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    LOVE the muscular look whether more defined or not. LOVE it.
  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,522 Member
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    I'm having trouble concentrating for some reason
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,326 Member
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    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: 48,529 Member
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    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
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    Great post!
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
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    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
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    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
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    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: 707 Member
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    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
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    THANNNKKKK YYYOUUUUUUU for this post. I try and explain this EVERYDAY!!
  • btdublin
    btdublin Posts: 250 Member
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    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
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    Thank you!
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
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    No big fan of Jessica Biel

    I think you missed my point =)
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,529 Member
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    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
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    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
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    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:

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