Are people intimidated by you?

[Mad_World]

I think that it's important to make the difference between "intimidation" and "animosity". I do believe that in the gym, or most social situations, having a good physique can bring out animosity in other men.

About 5 months ago I was still training for strength and bulk rather than an aesthetic physique. At one point I was 240lbs on 5'9". I was very strong, had a lot of muscles, but also a lot of fat (15-17%). At this time, despite being big and strong every guy was very friendly to me at the gym, we would joke around and shoot the wind.

Fast forward to now, I'm at around 215-220lbs with 6% bodyfat (university tested), I got a tan, a very deep set of abs and everything. Oddly, the same guys who were very friendly before give me "gun stares", and they don't even say "Hi". They also talk behind my back a lot. At first I wondered what was wrong: "I'm a nice guy and I have not changed my attitude in the past 5 months, in fact I think that I'm nicer and without the added bulk I look a lot less intimidating".

I talked to a competitive bodybuilder who trains at my gym, nicest guy you could ever meet! Intelligent, outgoing, friendly ... and every guy in the gym hates his guts!!! That's how I came to realize that animosity is often a byproduct of jealousy.

When I was "big and strong" but did not have a good looking physique guys were not jealous ... "Yeah he may be strong, but he doesn't look better than me".

But now that I have a ripped physique they look at me in envy. Thier jealousy being compounded by the fact that all the girls in the gym took notice of me and all go out of their way to talk to me.

So because I now look much better than they do, they feel envy, which fuels animosity.

It's the same thing as when a great looking woman enters a room full of other women, oftentimes the women in the room will look at her with animosity and start babling about her.

 

[WarriorPL]

People really seem to be in my school. I mean being the only one who really works out, i am clearly bigger than everyone else. Other kids my age look at me differently, but who cares.

 

[me2dammit]

hey

MAD_WORLD, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but at 5'9 and 220 you are still huge. The fact that you are short and cut probaly makes you look jacked beyond belief, probaly bigger then you looked at 240. Thats only 20lbs. These people at your gym probaly think you added muscle.

So I think you qualify in the "intimidating" class for this one. At that height and weight you have to have 19,20,21 inch guns thats enough to get most men to get out your way, especially at 6% bodyfat.

At my gym its different. When I was 235 people hardly said shit to me, now that I'm 270 and throwing up a shit load of weight everything has changed. Hell in the summer time when I wear tank tops almost everywhere I go I get a qeustion about working out.

 

[buffut1]

I've often wondered the same thing, and have been told at times that I'm intimidating. (at 5'8" 195# I just don't see it).

When I go out alone, I notice a lot of people look at me, yet very few will ever speak, unless I smile and speak first.

So maybe in the world of skinny and outta shape people, someone with a little size can be "intimidating"

 

[ThickLEE]

I'm 5'10, 235lbs right now, But a year ago when I was 275lbs
everybody called me big man.
But I guess when your 5'10 wearing 3x shirts and the sleaves are tight you'll get that alot.

 

[b-ball]

not really. im only 6'7 280 12% nothin speacial

 

[sicklydiesel]

im only 5'10 200lbs...so not really intimated by my size...but i definetly intimidate women with my looks ..it sucks because im a little on the quiet side so most girls will think im a conceited prick, i noticed that only confident secure chicks will approach or flirt with me.