(Photo Credits: Olena Yakobchuk from Shutterstock)
Are you drawn toward muscular men, guys? Do you find muscular men attractive? Most importantly, do you feel pressure to be fit and well-muscled, to have that “perfect” muscular body?
A gay man on askgaybros asked, “How important are abs or generally muscles to you?” He added, “I like a muscled body with big arms/chest/abs but it’s not necessary for me, I find skinny and average guys attractive too as long as they know how to clean themselves, how about you?”
One respondent shared, “I like a muscles guy but (I) don’t really care about abs. I’d prefer to see and nice pair of pecs than a set of abs.” In contrast, another man replied, “I prefer guys bigger than me, either physically or in height. It doesn’t really matter if the person is fit. I really prefer a chubby guy to a fit one, but overall, that doesn’t matter. As long as I can feel his full body weight on me, I’m fine.”
Further, a gay man said, “Being fit is important to me. Don’t have to have abs but a hanging belly is a turn off.” This response got a comment that reads, “It’s the opposite for me. I mean… I don’t mind fit guys (too lean is kind of a no no) but belly? Fat? Oh, hell yeah give me more please.”
Meanwhile, there are guys who said that health is more important to them, like this guy who said, “Well, I don’t care that much about abs specifically, but I do prefer slim over muscular with a belly. Though I could still date either.” For other people, kindness and attitude count, too: “Zero importance. Their intelligence and kindness are always the real deal for me. Body wise, as a bottom I tend to like someone who is taller or at least the same height as me regardless of their muscle mass.”
Anyway, did you know that one in five gay men have refrained from engaging in sexual activities due to body shame? More importantly, they are also ten times more likely than straight men to experience an eating disorder.
The study also found that in general, gay men are more likely to voice greater concerns about their appearance compared to straight men. They often attributed these concerns significantly to media pressures to conform to specific standards of attractiveness. In relation to the statement “I feel pressure from magazines and television to have a more attractive physique,” 58 percent of gay men agreed to this statement, in contrast, only 29 percent of straight men said yes. This suggests that gay men are twice as likely to perceive a pressure to meet the body standards set by the media.
Moreover, gay men also tend to believe that others would evaluate them based on their appearance, making them spend a greater portion of their day contemplating their looks, and comparing themselves to other men. However, intriguingly, both gay and straight men reported similar levels of pressure from their romantic partners regarding their physical appearance. Read the study in full here.
Having said all that, what about you, guys? How important are muscles to gay and bisexual men when it comes to dating and/or hooking up? Do you prefer muscular men? Share with us your thoughts and stories in the comments section below!
I’m attracted to men who are masculine. Muscles are welcome, but not required. Some meat, of course, as I’m not attracted at all to twinks. Fat is fine, too.
It all depends on a guy’s character. One attribute doesn’t make him not of not.
Regardless of looks, I’m not into hookups. Prefer to get to know a guy somewhat before jumping in bed and finding negative surprises that could easily have been avoided with a small mount of upfront patience.
“Prefer to get to know a guy somewhat before jumping in bed”
Agreed, but seems like only 1 in 20 guys are willing to do that.
1 in 20? For me, it’s a question of managing the conversations. Yes, some guys hit me up cold with “wanna fuck” (or something similar). Often with poor profiles and no picture. I’ll reply “thanks. What are you looking for?” If they don’t reply well (are vague and without even one picture), I’ll pass on meeting. If they reply, I’ll go with the flow and will meet IF we’re an OK or better match. My experiences overall have been numerous and positive. Yes, a few frogs along the way.
I prefer average size dudes meaning guys 5’9 to 6’1 weighing from 190 to 220 pounds. I see more guys that size every where I go. Muscles and abs does nothing for me. Give me a little belly and I’m fine. Personality and kindness means everything to me. A guy that smiles alot, laughs and loves a good time really turns me on. I on the other hand consider myself a gym rat. I stay in shape for me. I love clothes and feel comfortable knowing I look pretty good in my clothes. Plus I like being desirable and enjoy… Read more »
As Diana Ross proclaimed:
“I Want Muscles”!
Lean, Defined, and Elongated… nicely marbled…with just a little gristle
will –
provide the lips, tongue, jaws and lungs –
some enjoyable resistance and roughage –
to
moisture the lips;
sharpen the teeth,
strength the tongue, jaws and esophagus;
inflate the lungs
and
provide all the probiotics –
necessary
for a long and prosperous sexual longevities!
My weakness is a guy’s chest. I love athletic/muscular men too.
But those destined to be in bodybuilding competitions are a turnoff.
Flat stomach is the major turn on for me and visible abs are the best. Some muscle is nice, but not real important. Big muscles, like bodybuilders, are a turn off.
Sadly, flat stomachs are harder and harder to find as the age climbs.
no. the face is what makes a man attractive.
HWP That’s what makes me comfortable with a Top Man topping me. … I’m slender/slim and stay in shape to a degree.. I’m actually the same 6’0-145lbs I was in highschool. But, it’s hard to achieve and maintain a chiseled body,..I don’t have one, and I actually don’t want to bottom for a guy who takes His physique too seriously..(weird, right?)…but, neither do I want to be the guy who has to see the Top’s Dick for Him because, His belly makes His Dick impossible for Him to see… that’s just my preference. HWP for me…not needing a Greek Olympian… Read more »
I’m a 6′ tall guy,, I love picking up a petite female and sit her on my dick with her legs wrapped around me,,, sometimes I kinda wish I could find me a big 7′ guy with muscle that’s able to pick me up and sit me on his big dick with my legs wrapped around him,, while he bounce me on that dick,,, while packing me like a bitch
A man with a nicely chiseled frame with a huge V pattern is the BEST.
Me, both twinks and muscle turns me on. Muscle turns me on because it tells more about the dude than average dudes. USUALLY, and I’m talkin’ ‘back in the day’, so forgive me if I’m dated, but usually it means they may be reserved and don’t like UNWANTED attention when it comes to the gay life. They usually WANT attention in the bodybuilding world, moreso or their sexual target. When I was younger( late 80s / in my twenties) and working out, I could ‘sift’ through guys easier and attract quicker and attracted a lot of other muscle dudes, but… Read more »
I find ageism to be more of an obstacle to hook-ups than musculature. Many young guys will not look at guys over age 45.
A couple of buds of mine and I started meeting (separately) when they were in their 20s. They both said they’d stopped trying to meeting guys their own age because most of them were entitled, selfish flakes. The two found older guys to be more experienced, attentive and much better ongoing sex partners and friends. Hit up a 20-something on whim recently. He replied “you’re beyond my required age.” I replied “don’t be surprised when you suddenly find yourself there. Also, you might want to put your preference in your profile so no one wastes your time.” And then I… Read more »
I like fit guys (slim to muscular). I am muscular and that has worked well for attracting great matches. That said, I know plenty of men who are into plenty of body types. So, to each their own!
I like all types. Brains and conversation are more important than braun. Flab is ok just not 5’5″ and 350.
Athletic to muscular to beefy – all can be a complete turn on, depending on the guy. Extremes seldom catch my eye (skinny or very overweight). “Dad bods” on str8 and bi men can be great fun, too.
At 6’6″ + I am generally interested in taller men, perhaps 6’2″ and up.
I prefer smooth fem bottoms who are late 40s upwards. Soft spoken and has that intellect going on. I’m way pass the one night stand stage…
“…smooth fem bottoms who are late 40s upwards. Soft spoken..”
They’re out there! Needle in a haystack! Rooting for you! Best wishes!
… we’re out there… please find one, and make that smooth, fem, bottom, a happy little bottom!
It plenty smooth fems bottoms out here,, they can be right in front of you,, sometimes you gotta get them behind closed doors to activate them,, I’m a DL married guy here in Alexandria LA,, yes married to a woman, very masculine in my appearance,,, but once behind closed doors with a dominant top, I become a very submissive panty wearing bottom that enjoy pleasing my dominant top,,,I don’t wear makeup but I do enjoy wear sexy lingerie and being a sissy,, I can be a queen behind closed doors suck dick and then bend me over pipe me down,… Read more »
I’m muscular, and I enjoy working out and staying in shape…along with the many benefits of working out and staying in shape, I also like being desirable. From slim/athletic to muscular, I’m into men who work on their physique, and I find muscular men very attractive…Some people may not like what I say, however muscular men are much more sexier, and look better naked, rather than a man who is physically displeasing and out of shape. A naked man with a built physique can pull off certain aesthetics vs. a man who is out of shape and displeasing. So yes,… Read more »
You certainly get a big “thumbs up” from me!!! I admire men who take pride in the way they look. No way should you be apologetic for what you like and working out to stay in shape.
Good answer. On Topic and Topical!
True, this is why I watch what I’m eating; how much and when, along with light weight training, cardio, love looking like a ‘retired’ pro-b-baller at my height, long-tall/athletic it’s so good to look good in anything (b-day suit as well) at 63 years of age.
More attractive? No. I do think muscular bodies are sexy, but I like a variety. If the guy looks like a bodybuilder and his muscles have muscles… that is just gross. A nice tone with defined pecs and biceps is nice. However, I also like dad bods and bears. I do prefer hairy guys, especially with guys that are a little chubby. A lot of muscular guys have attitudes and think they’re superior and should be worshipped, and their karma is coming at some point. For a group of guys that have had to fight so hard for recognition and… Read more »
“Too much of a good thing,” yeah, too much doesn’t look appealing to me either.
Mae West said it best. “I like two kinds of men, those that have muscles, and those that don’t.”
Oh, I dunno, I’ve seen multiple types and combos, it just really depends on that particular individual at that time, it’s a combination of his character; how comfortable he is in his own physique.
Sometimes I find a heavier set man desirable, sometimes a very muscular man, sometimes a man with a bit of a belly but overall muscular, like my last lover; sometimes just an average size/proportioned man.