Body question for women

[StandingO]

[FONT=Calibri][sIZE=3]I’ve just turned 48 (male)and looking again after a 6 month relationship ended. She was 37 and really into fitness. I used my bench press machine at home but did not have time for other fitness. She helped me get into fitness again. From years of desk job non activity and prior hip surgery I had a ways to get my cardio and legs into some kind of condition to support my desired fitness level. She was good to work out with because she helped me get into pretty good shape, so I thought. She did not care that my upper body was much more muscular, and stronger than my legs. She told me she liked by body. My concern is I was swimming last week and another women (also around 35) who I knew from the gym (also a friend of my ex) told me during our conversation about fitness that my top heavy muscular upper body slim legs body type maybe a turn off to most women. She was trying to be helpful I think. She suggested I tone down the upper half and keep working on my legs. Genetics play a roll too. Why should this be such a turn off? Men naturally have porportionately bigger upper bodies and women lower bodies. It did not bother my previous girl friend nor did I care that she could lift more weight with her legs than I could. Her legs were simply better trained. I do work out on legs and they are progressing. Is this as big a deal to women as she makes it seem or is it likely just her personal taste. [/sIZE][/FONT]

[AmeliaApple]

If she said it in a "constructive" way as you suggest, then perhaps you are taking it a little harder than you should. It isn't necessarily a turn off and yes genetics play a part. The sexiest thing about a man, for me, is his humor and intelligence. It would be good, in general, to focus on evening out your workout routine. Your skeletal structure could become a little out of alignment over time and cause you issues, like back pain. Working all pairs of muscles is important to maintain a healthy body. Women typically have "stronger" legs because we are OBSESSED with making them "perfect"...which will never happen. Men, conversely, are more focused on upper body because, historically, those are the "working-mans" muscles. Visually demonstrating your strength....your legs are typically covered in jeans of some sort.

 

I will say...just as a push-up bra can be construed as "false advertising"...disproportionally skinny legs under pants can cause an "abrupt" reaction in women. It just isn't congruent.

 

Hope that helps!

[josie54]

The sexiest thing about a man, for me, is his humor and intelligence. It would be good, in general, to focus on evening out your workout routine. Your skeletal structure could become a little out of alignment over time and cause you issues, like back pain. Working all pairs of muscles is important to maintain a healthy body.

 

I agree....I would worry more about your overall health than your appearance, when it comes to focusing too much on a single muscle group. Developing a workout routine that involves both upper and lower body muscle groups will help keep your body balanced MECHANICALLY, so you don't throw something out of whack, as well as physically. If your lower body is weak, you could eventually hurt something when you work out your upper body (such as your lower back).

 

Not to mention your hip surgery--keeping your lower body strong (taking proper precautions of whatever injury led to the surgery of course) will keep your hip strong, so you hopefully won't have deal with hip surgery again.

 

And then there is the thing that muscular legs are attractive on a man. But I wouldn't let that be your main driver. Health above all else.

[StandingO]

Well Girls you must know what you are talking about because I do get lower back strain. I appreciate your comments very much. I must admit I was hoping for more input from more girls on this subject. I am working on my legs now but need to be careful so I don't want to get my ego involved and pop a disc.

[Ronni_W]

Is this as big a deal to women as she makes it seem or is it likely just her personal taste.

More likely a personal taste that she's unilaterally decided is be how many or most other women "should, would or must" feel. Some people do this...they can't seem to get to the understanding that theirs is NOT the only view on the planet, or the only "right" way to look at or do things.

 

Call it "generalization" or call it "narcissism" but, whatever you do, just do not take what they say as THE fact of any matter...and for sure don't let it get you down on yourself!

[Gold Pile]

Good thread. I'll neglect my legs no longer.

[StandingO]

Since this post we are back together. Lucky for me she is more into a guys upperbody