To most people I look like a guy who doesn't lift but to myself I look the best I have in 20 years, plus I was able to do a really hard hike this summer.
Being more attractive just makes life easier. You’re more confident, people take you more seriously and tend to like you more, you have more luck in finding romantic partners, etc. I don’t think it’s anyone’s place to judge somebody for their reasoning behind why they choose to workout.
I started to train purely for looks in my early 20s. After about a year for me, it morphed into a combination of looks and loving how it made me feel and perform in sorts and daily living. As I now approach my 50s, I still enjoy it for the looks but the weighting of looks-to-health has reversed. Here's the thing, the aesthetics are just a great side-effect of diligent and consistent hard training. That said it's my belief that training simply for looks may lose its motivational power as you move through life and mature. It's best to try and find other, internal/mental motivators or reasons for continuing the training journey. ❤
I always felt it was a challenge, if you're stagnating in the gym its demotivating. So training for looks, don't know, I think its normal just to want to keep increasing the amount of weight you can lift. Honestly at a certain point it probably becomes unattractive to most people. Its like bicycling, you wan't to be able to ride more and more miles, why? don't know.
There's a lot of truth to this, but there's also significant differences between training for health and training for aesthetics, particularly depending on what your aesthetic vision is (i.e. bodybuilding, lean, whatever). Some people who teach training for health (GreySteel being one example) get a fair amount of flak from people who say 'how come you don't look like you work out' even though they absolutely *perform* like they work out.
Very wise and well said. I could never get motivated because I simply didn't care about strength and was naturally lean and sort of strong (didn't look skinny or weak) Not until my mid 40s that the mental health benefits of lifting hooked me in and the bonus of the improvement in looks just went with it
People go get their nails done, eyelashes, tan, skin creams and potions, facials, Botox, hair extensions just purely for vanity. But go to the gym to look better naked… nah that’s shallow lol.
The logic is insanity bro fr. Plastic surgery for bigger boobs and butt, soap, cologne, perfume to smell good, wear nice clothes to look good but wanting to lift to look sexy is shallow ?? These people don’t see the flaw in that sentiment.
@@DacioNerdTV not to mention the time, difficulty and patience required. If there’s no instant gratification, most of this country/world want nothing to do with it. But will go spend thousands on a BBL that looks horrible and think nothing of it.
@@DacioNerdTV Actually a lot of the same people would say many of those aren't a good idea. Some are more on the motivation for why - i.e. soap and cologne to make yourself sanitary and presentable isn't just a vanity thing, it's also a manners/respect for others thing.
Single grandma here…..got to keep up! Also I’ve got PTSD and RA…..need it to keep moving and maintain my mental health…..I’m a veteran so absolutely ego is involved! My grandson has a pretty jacked grandma! ✌🏽❤️🇨🇦
Just remember the sports are hard on your health and if you do similar high reps for sports. Remember, it's very tempting, you will have a point in your life moment, to become fighter. Remember, pro athletes do reps way higher than you and even if you're big. They trained since little kids. 😂 small detail watch out for if you become fighter. You will be pathetic for 8-10 years, and before you build conditioning to take insane abuse. Don't believe me. Look at guys like Mike Tyson, David Goggins, and Evander Holyfield.!!!!!!!!!!!!!
19:12 I very much agree with every point Mike has made, buuut... It's a misunderstanding that self critism is also criticizing everyone else. If I am disappointed with my body shape, and I want to try harder, I am definitely not saying that towards anyone who has a similar shape to me. We don't all want the exact same look.
No matter if you have capped delts or not, you are the shoulder your loved ones lean on when they need it most. Stay yourself and love yourself because there is only one you.
The psychological effects of setting goals and reaching them also teaches yourself "hey I can do hard things" and builds so much self confidence in your ability alone
Celebrating my small goals and even overcoming failure and defeat in accomplishing my goals related to my physique made me apply the same concepts and drive in other areas of my life.
I hate myself and call myself garbage, mostly when my depression is out of control; so I train to try to get myself to look better and hopefully like myself more. Also, training makes me feel better, I've noticed I get the training high, I feel better and happier at the end.
Same here, training makes me feel like I've accomplished something and something I can be proud of, even when the rest of my life feels pointless. Fuck depression
I prefer "useless POS" along with plenty of F words for emphasis 😂 But yeah, it works better than anything I've ever tried (and tried it all, legal and otherwise) That's why I'm hooked. The body change is just a nice bonus
Started about 9 months ago, skinny and frail with a sore low back, knee, and rotator cuff pain from sports. Now, zero pain, feeling strong, most importantly learned how to use muscles that I haven't used before in everyday life like lats and hamstrings. Vanity is a greeeeaaaat biproduct of working out tho
I am not going to lie vanity is 90% the reason i lift weights & the fact it helps with health especially longevity & functionality as i get up in age is a bonus.
Holy shit..the whole segment about running towards something positive vs. running away from a negative just clicked something for me. Don't wanna make this too long, but basically been training for majority of my life. Life and mental went downhill for a period and gained a lot of weight. Was over 300 lbs for a period of time. When I got back into training it didn't feel exciting or as positive as it used to. Getting fat will do that to you. I was running away from a bad physique and it included many of the expected negative emotions. I'm around 230 lbs now, still consistent, and I'm not looking as bad. Vascularity and definition really starting to show. But the mental framework has still been the same as when I was 300lbs. It's been exhausting. But after that segment.. I'm excited! It hit me, that now I am actively running towards and getting closer to my ideal physique every day. That it should be nothing but POSITIVITY now and I can let go of that old mentality. Man.. Idk if this comment sounds silly, but thank you anyways. Thanks a lot. Didn't think I would have a life altering realization watching this video lol
Its hard to get back up when your down. Let yourself feel great about your accomplishments no matter how small! Your refusing to give up and bow down! Thats a battle in itself. Best of luck
One thing I think is important to mention is the benefits of simply having a goal in mind. I just got back into lifting, but it has helped me make better food choices because I know I need to fuel my recovery.
I do it for ADHD symptoms, don't want the meds. I'm fucked and can barely focus to go grocery shopping without training. Aesthetics are the bonus. Recently got my ma on training. Changed her fucking life. She does it for depression and PTSD as a DV survivor. Grateful to RP and what you're doing Mike. Hell yeah she's liking the way she looks and she's fucking earned a bit of vanity.
As someone that has suffered with body image and low self esteem for 40 years, this is such a refreshing honest and relatable look at why a majority of us train but are not comfortable to admit. You are a funny bastard DM but you have the ability to be vulnerable and address more serious issues that impact a lot of people.❤
I started training when I was depressed. I loved the moments after an insane workout how my brain just stopped sending negative thoughts. Those couple of minutes I turned into my former self.
Looking better is simply a bonus to training.63 and absolutely vain!😅I have a naturally athletic build?So,even not lifting I looked acceptable?But,I wanted muscle and wanted to transform my body from a weak one to a strong one!And now,I just get excited every time I flex.I FEEL so strong and vital.And definitely look better.💪🏼Now working on gains which is very difficult for me,due to health issues.But,I HAVE gained a few much needed pounds.And working hard on gaining more.💪🏼
People do this all the time in their heads. Ignoring my feelings, doubts, and blindly believing that the world is the way I imagined it to be is the worst advice that can be given. You can write this comment on TH-cam because some dude decided a long time ago to question the only correct way to send mail through cab drivers.
@@Pu11_the_tr1gger all topics are not created equally. Psychology is subjective and inherently personalized, so the "correct" motivation for working out is always going to be: whatever motivation keeps you in the gym consistently. all others are wrong.
Really needed this video today! Some days the demons are a little louder than others. I had to reflect on my journey because I do train for vanity. Sitting and listening to you talk about it reaffirmed that I am doing it for positive reasons. Your mix of humor and information is unmatched in the youtube-verse. Thank you Dr. Mike!
Honestly, if someone finds it "shallow" to want to feel good about yourself, have confident and most likely better mental health as a result, then I don't care about their opinion. Get the body you want for whatever reason you have.
Love this! I totally get that training can heal your soul. I’ve a lifetime of addiction, self-hate and self-harm, feeling weak and vulnerable, and now I’m about to turn 50 and I genuinely love my body, and feel strong in it, through falling in love with training and just lifting heavy sh*t!
I suspect it's more of a psychological concern. Asking if vanity is a useful motivator to train is beside the point of why people are typically opposed to the idea. Training is useful, but the intended purpose is also highly important. Vanity as a source of motivation is cautioned because it can lead to the development of counter beneficial psychological traits and behaviors. Vanity is not a "good" reason to train, though it can be effective.
This video speaks to me and my joinery on a level that I cannot even describe. Watching and listening to this was actually transformative and tremendously validating to me.
Nah, if you are committing to something that is going to damage you psychologically, which it absolutely can if approached the wrong way, it's destructive.
Mike, I'm super proud of you for giving up the "roids". My son lifts and loves your channel. He came to me several months back using you as a justification to find trt for himself. I think I talked him out of it, but helps when his role model gives them up! Thanks from a parent.
Personally I lift purely for aesthetics and IDGAF. Being jacked, lean and awsthetic genuinely fulfills me. Also I hate how hypertrophy is the only physical adaptation which gets this treatment. As if me increasing my powerlifting total from 1000lbs to 1500lbs is more moral that getting an inch on my arms.
This video definitely helped me! I never, and still, don’t like fully the way I look, but the idea of working towards the way I’d like to look is quite helpful! It’s a healthy starting point! Thanks Dr. Mike!
I didn't do any strength training until I was 45, which was 13 years ago. I look a lot better than I used to, which is great, and my wife loves it. I'm also stronger, which is also great. I keep training to maintain my health, my looks, and strength.
The 31-minute mark hit hard, and really cemented my goals , the idea that i will be not disgusting at some point has to be the greatest driving force in my journey, glad to hear others' opinions on positive vanity line up with my inner thoughts i very much appreciate this.
I think every single person who has ever stepped into the weight room trains for looks at least to a certain extent - they just don't want to admit it because either 1. They think it makes them morally superior 2. The current cultural/social trend dictates that it's taboo to admit you're doing something for others' approval (i.e. to be more attractive to potential partners).
I agree with you 100 percent. 10 years back no one would be afraid to admit it. Now they think they are above working out for looks. You can’t tell me you don’t feel proud of your body when you see the results and get compliments. Especially as a man getting compliments from women boost your ego and self esteem. Nothing wrong with it.
That's why a legit gym with mirrors and weights is an awesome place to be. Its honest. A bunch of (mainly) dudes just getting pumped up and watching themselves in the mirror. They all know why they're there and they don't try to hide it.
Goddam it Mike the last third when you started talking about being 45 (I’m 44) with kids and starting lifting for vanity touched me. I related to it so much. I had the same conversations with my Dr., my wife is liking it, and healing some deep wounds from being a child. Nice job man. Was really validating that I am doing this for the right reasons.
Huh... That perspective on training to pursue a positive outcome, versus training to run away from negative outlook, really made me reflect. I don't think I've gotten to a point in my lifting career where it's severely negatively effected my life, but hearing this makes me see how I could be heading down that road. Thanks for that, Mike!
Absolutely fkn not. Plus, just be honest about why you are training so that you can be specific in your training, cut out the BS and do what speaks to you. You will go further, faster, longer, and with less stress when you are doing your thing
When I was training people, I’d occasionally have to assure people that “I want to look better” was a valid goal and they didn’t have to think of some other motivation to trick me into thinking they weren’t shallow.
It’s funny I have the opposite problem. I have so little family time, friends, and girl interest that it’s literally the only thing I have to spend my spare time that isn’t video games or studying. So yeah I’m gonna get that fucking quad sweep.
@@JM-bg2ts I can’t meet any. Only place is BJJ class and everyone keeps to themselves. I tried in my mba classes and it didn’t work. I got to dog training classes but you don’t talk at all. So like I can’t meet new friends. I’ve tried clubs and bars but it’s all just wanna be gangsters and really attractive girls with no interest in me. If you give me 3 solid options I will try, but there’s nothing I can think of
@@hugh1997 I live in Puerto Rico we have none of that, only in the north and I’m 1hr 30 minutes away. I don’t really feel like driving a total of 3 hours for 30 minutes of trying to talk to a cute girl and getting ignored. The only thing that is kind of social interaction the town where I live is going to bars and getting shot down by some wanna be gangster.
I watched about 4 to 5 shorts and you definitely know a lot of information. I really do like what you are doing on youtube. I wish I watched you earlier in life before I started training so I would have more of a start and end on how I would like to be in my mid to late age. In my 20's I just trained to try and look big like the top bodybuilders.
This is a great video. For me, it waxes and wanes. When I was younger, I looked fine and focused only on improving attributes for sport. Then I fell out of shape, became super aware of how I looked, and that took priority. Now that I'm approaching 40, it is somewhere between "I want to look as fit and youthful as possible" and "I don't want to feel like crap".
Consider me shallow as fuck. I been a fat ass my whole life. I just wanna feel better about myself. I guess perhaps i should be concerned about falling to far into vanity. Im not really sure. As of right now i need to lose weight. And i really want bigger, thicker muscles. Its not the only reason i lift. I definitely do it to avoid more back surgeries as well. But the vamity aspect is a huge part of it as well.
Your honestly about it all will probably prevent you from going too far in the wrong direction. And hey, who the hell doesn't want to look better? Keep up the good work no matter.
As long as you know what you want and you've got the determination to get it then that's all there is to it. Good luck to you on your journey, I hope you can look back in a few years time and barely recognise who you were
@@tv26889 yep. At least some part of it is. But I have also been living an almost wholly sedentary lifestyle until recently. I am on a good dieting path now. There is some aspect of lifting just for vanity though, for me.
Hey Mike. I wanted to ask a question on just how hard science based lifting can be. I only ask because I just dropped a comment on Fouads podcast saying there's this weird division between bro lifters and science lifters because they think science lifters don't lift as hard. I said there's plenty of science lifters that train as hard as Ronnie and Branch and that wasn't a very popular opinion. Would love to hear your take on this topic.
Most people making that argument against science based lifters just need validation that they are "tougher" because they ego lift with more weight. It's true that science shows you might not want to go to failure each set, but science definitely says you can't keep lifting easily for optimal growth.
When I started bodybuilding training (which was only 20 weeks ago) I outright said it's 100% it's to look better, in truth it's about 75% look better, 5% health (I was already cycling and eating well) and 20% something to do.
bodyfat is a dietary issue. how many people have you seen who have thin appearances who do very little exercise or no exercise at all? it's because they don't overeat.
@@tv26889 Fat folk? 'You don't know what they have been through' is a big (DOH!) excuse for the cancel culture clan. Of course its CALORIE excesses that are unhealthy in content & amounts.
I train so I don't kill people... Or myself... And because being the size of a skinned Gorilla keeps me warm... If that's Vanity then sure 😉 no wait you've looked inside my soul Doctor Mike, all I feel is hatred and pain at the sight of my very body... Only irons cold embrace can heal me... Don't worry I'm in therapy for all these flaws... Peace... Love your content ❤️💪
Precisely. If it weren’t for the weights, I would have done myself in years ago. Zero doubt in my mind. Weight training saves lives. Heavy metal saves lives. Both the iron in the gym and the music in our souls. We need these healthy outlets for hatred and aggression. Men and women both
To me, it feels like vanity isn't sustainable--not enough to put in the work week/month/year in and out. Put differently, it's a delicious cherry on top, but not the whole dessert. I don't want to have worked and saved my whole life to finally retire, and be too unhealthy to enjoy those years. Tangentially, I find it more difficult to deal with the negativity of others...the more progress I make, the more resentment it feels like is bubbling beneath the surface of interactions with others.
Everything has good and bad in it. The great thing is you can chose the narrative and go down the path you want to experience. I chose the positives you listed about vanity motivating you in a positive way to take care of yourself. Good talk episode Mike. 👍
I come from Olympic weightlifting and have always been very functionally oriented (training for strength/power/longevity), but we should normalize training for looks. "Fit fat" isn't a thing. We've normalized unhealthy physiques, "dad bods," and "mom-curves" to our own detriment. We don't all need bodybuilder physiques; few of us have top 1% genetics, but we can ALL have very impressive, healthy bodies. And yes, if you look good on the outside, it matters for what's on the inside. If you have excess visible body fat, guess what? There's probably a ton of fat around your organs and in your blood, which is unhealthy!
@@SawBlade11 Because I love my family members. And for strangers, even if I hate them, I don't want them to die early. But from a cost perspective, I'd prefer they die early instead of taxing the healthcare system for decades before they die. This means everyone's insurance premiums go up. It's nice to live in a society with healthy, physically capable people. And healthy people are happier people too...I'd prefer to interact with strangers who aren't strung out on pain killers, stressed out over cancer treatments, or grumpy because they're in physical pain. Should I go on, or are we good?
@@falsificationism lmao well maybe you should just worry about yourself and your family and quit caring about what others do with their bodies. Kind of weird
@@SawBlade11 You understand the point of this channel and this particular video, right? And no thanks. I care about my community. I care about having access to care. I care about overworked emergency services. And I care about society. This is a healthy attitude. But you do you, bro. Enjoy your egoistic individualism.
There's some really deep stuff here. I feel borderline obsessed, but I feel so accomplished when I finish a session. I've been accused of having a fitness addiction, but I look in the mirror and feel great about myself.
Training has been healing me in deep ways, as I suffer from violence when I was a kid I got completely numb and disconnected from my body, at the GYM I have been able to recognize my own body again, to feel me... I would like to research about this but have not idea where to start. Also I was bullied at school, I now feel very popular hehehe specially at the GYM :) one has to train out af love, going to the GYM is to heal 🌸
I started my fitness journey in attempt to heal from mental and emotional trauma. never trained in front of a mirror (i train only at my home gym/outdoors). but there was a point after 2 years of consistent training where people started to address my physique and honestly it felt great to hear that. i'm 36, 5"9, 132 Lbs, and i love what training does to every aspect of me including strength, appearance, mental stability & clarity, pain management (mental + physical), injury prevention, joint mobility, longevity, energy levels, the ability to do my job without getting tired at the end of each day, mood swing regulator, motivator to help achieve in other fields in life..... Train for whatever reason, but acknowledge all the benefits and aim to achieve them all. Luckily for us, the same exercises do all of these things and more :)
I'm over 59 and hooked! Love training! I started for health reasons but i don't kid myself. Vanity is an added plus that I would never throw out! Vanity and energy add that spark that helps to keep one going positive. Nothing wrong with that. Seen people that had strokes that recovered faster because of vanity... positive vanity! Nothing wrong with vanity.
I see my workouts at the gym as something really enjoyable. I like my body as it is but I think it could look even better. My issues aren’t in the gym but my sport that I play. I might be walking away from a serious home fire instead of walking towards that warm comfortable room. Thank you Dr.Mike and RP Strength.
![[LIVE] BABYMONSTER(베이비몬스터) - DRIP | 두시탈출 컬투쇼](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/UG05pxLGwzc/mqdefault.jpg)
Life is generally easier and more enjoyable when you are hotter! And stronger, healthier, more athletic and so on. Hard training makes life easier.
Absolutely.
All day every day
hoo ra
Absolutamente
Brain rot
Sorry, I was only half listening. Yes, I am training to take on the top 10 dinosaurs
Okay Baki, lmao
Triceps & Triceratops most underrated
@@chadwincoetzee4645bro thinks he's pickle
Good luck, don't underestimate the kick to the groin.
@@lukasgroot I call it "the great extinction event"
i saw a picture of a sign outside a gym on social media that said " are you fed up of being fat and ugly? just be ugly. GYM" 😂 quality
Lol because im a butter face i have nothing else to work with lol
Hey, sometimes the face gains can get rid of the ugly too
I saw that sign too. It was outside one of the big franchises, but I don’t think it was Planet Fatness.
Perfect TH-camr for you to post this ironic quote on😂
@@Pugetwitch I wasn’t implying he is ugly for the record
To most people I look like a guy who doesn't lift but to myself I look the best I have in 20 years, plus I was able to do a really hard hike this summer.
Good job on your hike
That's awesome!
hell yeah
same. I'm 6' 3 and only 170ish. I've never broken 180. If I don't lift, I'll be 160 or 170 by a little flabby. I need to lift, I'm a stick.
That's depressing. Only people with 22 inch arms should be happy with themselves. 6 more inches on my arms, and I will surely be happy.
“Don’t climb the mountain for people to see you, climb the mountain for you to see the world!” - some guy who likes looking at stuff
I need them to see me, so I can get paid to eat & live
Also, ego lift (while obnoxiously grunting every rep) at Planet fitness, and when someone hits the "Lunk Alarm" 🚨 bask in the glory! 😁
@@DanielAluni-v2t LOL! 😂
That’s the stupidest shit I’ve ever heard
I think the vanity lifting is more like “climb the mountain to see what you look like at the top”
I have bipolar and exercise keeps me regulated really well. Burns energy when I'm manic and uplifts mood when I'm depressed.
Just do a keto diet
If anything this reply is the shallowest there is @@iche9373
@@iche9373
"just do *inset fad diet here*"
Bro's cooked 💀
Not even gonna lie here: I fell in love with training because of vanity, so it was nice hearing dr Mike put it into words.
Being more attractive just makes life easier. You’re more confident, people take you more seriously and tend to like you more, you have more luck in finding romantic partners, etc. I don’t think it’s anyone’s place to judge somebody for their reasoning behind why they choose to workout.
I started to train purely for looks in my early 20s. After about a year for me, it morphed into a combination of looks and loving how it made me feel and perform in sorts and daily living. As I now approach my 50s, I still enjoy it for the looks but the weighting of looks-to-health has reversed. Here's the thing, the aesthetics are just a great side-effect of diligent and consistent hard training. That said it's my belief that training simply for looks may lose its motivational power as you move through life and mature. It's best to try and find other, internal/mental motivators or reasons for continuing the training journey. ❤
I always felt it was a challenge, if you're stagnating in the gym its demotivating. So training for looks, don't know, I think its normal just to want to keep increasing the amount of weight you can lift. Honestly at a certain point it probably becomes unattractive to most people. Its like bicycling, you wan't to be able to ride more and more miles, why? don't know.
Literally found those reasons in my first month of lifting lol
There's a lot of truth to this, but there's also significant differences between training for health and training for aesthetics, particularly depending on what your aesthetic vision is (i.e. bodybuilding, lean, whatever). Some people who teach training for health (GreySteel being one example) get a fair amount of flak from people who say 'how come you don't look like you work out' even though they absolutely *perform* like they work out.
Very wise and well said. I could never get motivated because I simply didn't care about strength and was naturally lean and sort of strong (didn't look skinny or weak)
Not until my mid 40s that the mental health benefits of lifting hooked me in and the bonus of the improvement in looks just went with it
Sometimes the reason you start something doesn't end up being the reason you keep doing it years later
People go get their nails done, eyelashes, tan, skin creams and potions, facials, Botox, hair extensions just purely for vanity. But go to the gym to look better naked… nah that’s shallow lol.
The logic is insanity bro fr. Plastic surgery for bigger boobs and butt, soap, cologne, perfume to smell good, wear nice clothes to look good but wanting to lift to look sexy is shallow ?? These people don’t see the flaw in that sentiment.
@@DacioNerdTV not to mention the time, difficulty and patience required. If there’s no instant gratification, most of this country/world want nothing to do with it. But will go spend thousands on a BBL that looks horrible and think nothing of it.
People you mean women lol
@@bdog98765facts. Ngl 😂
@@DacioNerdTV Actually a lot of the same people would say many of those aren't a good idea. Some are more on the motivation for why - i.e. soap and cologne to make yourself sanitary and presentable isn't just a vanity thing, it's also a manners/respect for others thing.
Single grandma here…..got to keep up! Also I’ve got PTSD and RA…..need it to keep moving and maintain my mental health…..I’m a veteran so absolutely ego is involved! My grandson has a pretty jacked grandma! ✌🏽❤️🇨🇦
Get it, granny! 💪
Hell yeah 🦾
Hell yeah grandma
@@KINGKOLDBLADE 😉💪🏽
@@iamchristenlalala 💪🏽
i train for looks. everything else comes as bonus. even if training wouldn't make me look good, i would still do it, it is that beneficial.
You by default train for everything if you train at all.
Just remember the sports are hard on your health and if you do similar high reps for sports. Remember, it's very tempting, you will have a point in your life moment, to become fighter. Remember, pro athletes do reps way higher than you and even if you're big. They trained since little kids. 😂 small detail watch out for if you become fighter. You will be pathetic for 8-10 years, and before you build conditioning to take insane abuse. Don't believe me. Look at guys like Mike Tyson, David Goggins, and Evander Holyfield.!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fun enough I do the opposite. I like to feel healthy and strong but somehow got also pretty good visually in the same time
19:12 I very much agree with every point Mike has made, buuut... It's a misunderstanding that self critism is also criticizing everyone else. If I am disappointed with my body shape, and I want to try harder, I am definitely not saying that towards anyone who has a similar shape to me. We don't all want the exact same look.
@@tv26889no, he’s talking about why he trains. Not the results
No matter if you have capped delts or not, you are the shoulder your loved ones lean on when they need it most. Stay yourself and love yourself because there is only one you.
Bless
Capped delts are nicer to lean on and more people will want to lean on them. 🤷🏻♂️
@@Seade true but you still got a shoulder regardless lol
lol unless you aren’t. not everyone is sweet or supportive the way you may be
Of course not, I mean I ain’t gonna be both ugly AND built like Harry Potter (I am still both)
Hey Dan Radcliffe is pretty jacked, gotta put respect on the name of The Boy Who lifted!
You mean Harry Squatter? (Shredded AI Harry Potter) 🤔💪💪😂
Harry Spotter
@@el4242 AKA Clarence Kennedy
@@mikeyfergish radcliff really needs to be the actor for the mashl live action remake
Training to look better could also be considered for health reasons aka your mental health
The psychological effects of setting goals and reaching them also teaches yourself "hey I can do hard things" and builds so much self confidence in your ability alone
Celebrating my small goals and even overcoming failure and defeat in accomplishing my goals related to my physique made me apply the same concepts and drive in other areas of my life.
I'm a little guy and have always trained to be stronger for dealing with the world. Looking better is my everyday reward.
This was an incredible change of pace, delving into body image issues and mental health. Thank you Dr. Mike
I hate myself and call myself garbage, mostly when my depression is out of control; so I train to try to get myself to look better and hopefully like myself more.
Also, training makes me feel better, I've noticed I get the training high, I feel better and happier at the end.
@@jnb22019 Keep it up, Iron is the way. Look after yourself, sending you all the best! ❤️💪❤️
Definitely love the endorphin hit
Same here, training makes me feel like I've accomplished something and something I can be proud of, even when the rest of my life feels pointless. Fuck depression
Training keeps the demons at bay, though my chosen method for cardio really pisses me off.
I prefer "useless POS" along with plenty of F words for emphasis 😂
But yeah, it works better than anything I've ever tried (and tried it all, legal and otherwise) That's why I'm hooked. The body change is just a nice bonus
Started about 9 months ago, skinny and frail with a sore low back, knee, and rotator cuff pain from sports. Now, zero pain, feeling strong, most importantly learned how to use muscles that I haven't used before in everyday life like lats and hamstrings. Vanity is a greeeeaaaat biproduct of working out tho
Mike can you be my dad.
He's been your daddy for a long time
This kind of people support Barcelona
I am not going to lie vanity is 90% the reason i lift weights & the fact it helps with health especially longevity & functionality as i get up in age is a bonus.
I think this is 99% of people
Holy shit..the whole segment about running towards something positive vs. running away from a negative just clicked something for me.
Don't wanna make this too long, but basically been training for majority of my life. Life and mental went downhill for a period and gained a lot of weight. Was over 300 lbs for a period of time. When I got back into training it didn't feel exciting or as positive as it used to. Getting fat will do that to you. I was running away from a bad physique and it included many of the expected negative emotions. I'm around 230 lbs now, still consistent, and I'm not looking as bad. Vascularity and definition really starting to show. But the mental framework has still been the same as when I was 300lbs. It's been exhausting.
But after that segment.. I'm excited! It hit me, that now I am actively running towards and getting closer to my ideal physique every day. That it should be nothing but POSITIVITY now and I can let go of that old mentality. Man.. Idk if this comment sounds silly, but thank you anyways. Thanks a lot. Didn't think I would have a life altering realization watching this video lol
Its hard to get back up when your down. Let yourself feel great about your accomplishments no matter how small! Your refusing to give up and bow down! Thats a battle in itself. Best of luck
Channel is going crazy with subscribers and it is so legit. Love you Mike!!!!!!! ❤
One thing I think is important to mention is the benefits of simply having a goal in mind. I just got back into lifting, but it has helped me make better food choices because I know I need to fuel my recovery.
I do it for ADHD symptoms, don't want the meds. I'm fucked and can barely focus to go grocery shopping without training. Aesthetics are the bonus. Recently got my ma on training. Changed her fucking life. She does it for depression and PTSD as a DV survivor. Grateful to RP and what you're doing Mike. Hell yeah she's liking the way she looks and she's fucking earned a bit of vanity.
You probably think this video is about you, don't you, don't you?
YES!
How'd you f*cking know!?
🤣🤣
Sly Carly Simon pull
beat me to it!
You’re so scalp vein
your so vain
As someone that has suffered with body image and low self esteem for 40 years, this is such a refreshing honest and relatable look at why a majority of us train but are not comfortable to admit. You are a funny bastard DM but you have the ability to be vulnerable and address more serious issues that impact a lot of people.❤
I started training when I was depressed. I loved the moments after an insane workout how my brain just stopped sending negative thoughts. Those couple of minutes I turned into my former self.
Training to get away from a burning building bit hit home. Thanks Dr Mike. Bro just saved my therapist some work down the line
I go to the gym to lift weights that's it, lifting weights for the sake of lifting weights.
Looking better is simply a bonus to training.63 and absolutely vain!😅I have a naturally athletic build?So,even not lifting I looked acceptable?But,I wanted muscle and wanted to transform my body from a weak one to a strong one!And now,I just get excited every time I flex.I FEEL so strong and vital.And definitely look better.💪🏼Now working on gains which is very difficult for me,due to health issues.But,I HAVE gained a few much needed pounds.And working hard on gaining more.💪🏼
Train for whatever reason you want. Its your body and your life, you dont have to justify anything
People do this all the time in their heads. Ignoring my feelings, doubts, and blindly believing that the world is the way I imagined it to be is the worst advice that can be given. You can write this comment on TH-cam because some dude decided a long time ago to question the only correct way to send mail through cab drivers.
And who really cares why another person is working out anyway.
@@Pu11_the_tr1gger all topics are not created equally. Psychology is subjective and inherently personalized, so the "correct" motivation for working out is always going to be: whatever motivation keeps you in the gym consistently.
all others are wrong.
Really needed this video today! Some days the demons are a little louder than others. I had to reflect on my journey because I do train for vanity. Sitting and listening to you talk about it reaffirmed that I am doing it for positive reasons. Your mix of humor and information is unmatched in the youtube-verse. Thank you Dr. Mike!
Honestly, if someone finds it "shallow" to want to feel good about yourself, have confident and most likely better mental health as a result, then I don't care about their opinion. Get the body you want for whatever reason you have.
This was a tremendous treat to listen to from start to finish..
Mike love your work. Do muscle relaxers hinder muscle growth please help
Love this! I totally get that training can heal your soul. I’ve a lifetime of addiction, self-hate and self-harm, feeling weak and vulnerable, and now I’m about to turn 50 and I genuinely love my body, and feel strong in it, through falling in love with training and just lifting heavy sh*t!
I suspect it's more of a psychological concern. Asking if vanity is a useful motivator to train is beside the point of why people are typically opposed to the idea. Training is useful, but the intended purpose is also highly important. Vanity as a source of motivation is cautioned because it can lead to the development of counter beneficial psychological traits and behaviors. Vanity is not a "good" reason to train, though it can be effective.
This video speaks to me and my joinery on a level that I cannot even describe. Watching and listening to this was actually transformative and tremendously validating to me.
Any motivation is valid as long as it gets you to commit.
Nah, if you are committing to something that is going to damage you psychologically, which it absolutely can if approached the wrong way, it's destructive.
Mike, I'm super proud of you for giving up the "roids". My son lifts and loves your channel. He came to me several months back using you as a justification to find trt for himself. I think I talked him out of it, but helps when his role model gives them up! Thanks from a parent.
Personally I lift purely for aesthetics and IDGAF. Being jacked, lean and awsthetic genuinely fulfills me.
Also I hate how hypertrophy is the only physical adaptation which gets this treatment. As if me increasing my powerlifting total from 1000lbs to 1500lbs is more moral that getting an inch on my arms.
Been working out for 5 months and i really beeded to hear this. Thanks. 👍
I love to look my best, even if it’s in pajamas.
This video definitely helped me! I never, and still, don’t like fully the way I look, but the idea of working towards the way I’d like to look is quite helpful! It’s a healthy starting point! Thanks Dr. Mike!
Dr Mike is the ultimate buffed smeagle...
С любовью 😊
Really good discussion and sprinkling humor throughout also helps. Another excellent video.
I didn't do any strength training until I was 45, which was 13 years ago. I look a lot better than I used to, which is great, and my wife loves it. I'm also stronger, which is also great. I keep training to maintain my health, my looks, and strength.
At what age would you say that your muscle gains stopped, and you were just training to maintain what you had already built?
@@johnminah3333I'm still gaining muscle, but not at super high levels.
Can I ask if it’s improved life in the bedroom?
@@chillie000It's helped with my own confidence, for sure. Losing fat does make a lot of things look better.
@@johndoiron9615 lol, it does too. Thanks for the reply!
The 31-minute mark hit hard, and really cemented my goals , the idea that i will be not disgusting at some point has to be the greatest driving force in my journey, glad to hear others' opinions on positive vanity line up with my inner thoughts i very much appreciate this.
Hypertrophy for happiness
This video really helped me see the dark side of what I was doing. Really helped me see the light of day and add more to my workout goals
I think every single person who has ever stepped into the weight room trains for looks at least to a certain extent - they just don't want to admit it because either 1. They think it makes them morally superior 2. The current cultural/social trend dictates that it's taboo to admit you're doing something for others' approval (i.e. to be more attractive to potential partners).
Nonsense post!
I definitely have caught myself thinking of the 1st reason
@@Peter-uh9hu Care to elaborate?This seems to be a thoughtful analysis and I would concur.
I agree with you 100 percent. 10 years back no one would be afraid to admit it. Now they think they are above working out for looks. You can’t tell me you don’t feel proud of your body when you see the results and get compliments. Especially as a man getting compliments from women boost your ego and self esteem. Nothing wrong with it.
That's why a legit gym with mirrors and weights is an awesome place to be. Its honest. A bunch of (mainly) dudes just getting pumped up and watching themselves in the mirror. They all know why they're there and they don't try to hide it.
Goddam it Mike the last third when you started talking about being 45 (I’m 44) with kids and starting lifting for vanity touched me. I related to it so much. I had the same conversations with my Dr., my wife is liking it, and healing some deep wounds from being a child. Nice job man. Was really validating that I am doing this for the right reasons.
Looking better = better mental health (sometimes)
Final answer, maybe.
Will, what a fantastic video that was. Really eye opening in many respects. Thanks for this!
1:03, spoken like a true anime fan
Huh... That perspective on training to pursue a positive outcome, versus training to run away from negative outlook, really made me reflect. I don't think I've gotten to a point in my lifting career where it's severely negatively effected my life, but hearing this makes me see how I could be heading down that road. Thanks for that, Mike!
Legit only reason I train
Lmao same. Fiancee digs it and so do I. Keep going bro
you by default train for everything if you....train.
@@tv26889 the concept of specificity would disagree with that assertion
@@tv26889 the concept of specificity would disprove this assertion.
Love the quote Dr Mike cited in another video working out sucks for the first year, suck it up you are going to love it.
Absolutely fkn not. Plus, just be honest about why you are training so that you can be specific in your training, cut out the BS and do what speaks to you. You will go further, faster, longer, and with less stress when you are doing your thing
When I was training people, I’d occasionally have to assure people that “I want to look better” was a valid goal and they didn’t have to think of some other motivation to trick me into thinking they weren’t shallow.
It’s funny I have the opposite problem. I have so little family time, friends, and girl interest that it’s literally the only thing I have to spend my spare time that isn’t video games or studying. So yeah I’m gonna get that fucking quad sweep.
Focus on friends. Your commitment to strong friendships will signal all your virtues to the world and open many doors.
@@JM-bg2ts I can’t meet any. Only place is BJJ class and everyone keeps to themselves. I tried in my mba classes and it didn’t work. I got to dog training classes but you don’t talk at all. So like I can’t meet new friends. I’ve tried clubs and bars but it’s all just wanna be gangsters and really attractive girls with no interest in me. If you give me 3 solid options I will try, but there’s nothing I can think of
Try a climbing wall. It’s a strong community activity with lots of downtime to make small talk, compliment people’s climbing, and introduce yourself.
@@hugh1997 I live in Puerto Rico we have none of that, only in the north and I’m 1hr 30 minutes away. I don’t really feel like driving a total of 3 hours for 30 minutes of trying to talk to a cute girl and getting ignored. The only thing that is kind of social interaction the town where I live is going to bars and getting shot down by some wanna be gangster.
I watched about 4 to 5 shorts and you definitely know a lot of information. I really do like what you are doing on youtube. I wish I watched you earlier in life before I started training so I would have more of a start and end on how I would like to be in my mid to late age. In my 20's I just trained to try and look big like the top bodybuilders.
This is a great video. For me, it waxes and wanes. When I was younger, I looked fine and focused only on improving attributes for sport. Then I fell out of shape, became super aware of how I looked, and that took priority. Now that I'm approaching 40, it is somewhere between "I want to look as fit and youthful as possible" and "I don't want to feel like crap".
Consider me shallow as fuck. I been a fat ass my whole life. I just wanna feel better about myself.
I guess perhaps i should be concerned about falling to far into vanity. Im not really sure. As of right now i need to lose weight. And i really want bigger, thicker muscles. Its not the only reason i lift. I definitely do it to avoid more back surgeries as well. But the vamity aspect is a huge part of it as well.
Your honestly about it all will probably prevent you from going too far in the wrong direction. And hey, who the hell doesn't want to look better? Keep up the good work no matter.
bodyfat is a dietary issue.
Nothing wrong with vanity if it gets you to that healthy image. Journey to a good image can also be healthy and uplifting.
As long as you know what you want and you've got the determination to get it then that's all there is to it. Good luck to you on your journey, I hope you can look back in a few years time and barely recognise who you were
@@tv26889 yep. At least some part of it is. But I have also been living an almost wholly sedentary lifestyle until recently. I am on a good dieting path now. There is some aspect of lifting just for vanity though, for me.
Huh, there is something to this. Thanks for unpacking this argument persuasively.
Hey Mike. I wanted to ask a question on just how hard science based lifting can be. I only ask because I just dropped a comment on Fouads podcast saying there's this weird division between bro lifters and science lifters because they think science lifters don't lift as hard. I said there's plenty of science lifters that train as hard as Ronnie and Branch and that wasn't a very popular opinion. Would love to hear your take on this topic.
Most people making that argument against science based lifters just need validation that they are "tougher" because they ego lift with more weight. It's true that science shows you might not want to go to failure each set, but science definitely says you can't keep lifting easily for optimal growth.
Who cares
Who cares indeed.
I love these videos of Mike just explaining his personal philosophies.
I train to look healthy.
Looking healthy... Hmmm 🙂 I hear ya.
When I started bodybuilding training (which was only 20 weeks ago) I outright said it's 100% it's to look better, in truth it's about 75% look better, 5% health (I was already cycling and eating well) and 20% something to do.
This video is amazing! I'm hooked!
Nice one man; some deep, meaningful, and relatable stuff. Love it and sure relevant to my experience 🙏🏿
I train because I am fatphobic.
Literally me
bodyfat is a dietary issue. how many people have you seen who have thin appearances who do very little exercise or no exercise at all? it's because they don't overeat.
@@tv26889 Fat folk? 'You don't know what they have been through' is a big (DOH!) excuse for the cancel culture clan. Of course its CALORIE excesses that are unhealthy in content & amounts.
@@tv26889 Yeah I mostly do cardio and have university dietetics education, don't lift - I look like a greek statue
@@tv26889 🤓🤓🤓
Very comprehensive overview. Thanks doc
I train so I don't kill people... Or myself... And because being the size of a skinned Gorilla keeps me warm... If that's Vanity then sure 😉 no wait you've looked inside my soul Doctor Mike, all I feel is hatred and pain at the sight of my very body... Only irons cold embrace can heal me...
Don't worry I'm in therapy for all these flaws... Peace... Love your content ❤️💪
Precisely. If it weren’t for the weights, I would have done myself in years ago. Zero doubt in my mind. Weight training saves lives. Heavy metal saves lives. Both the iron in the gym and the music in our souls. We need these healthy outlets for hatred and aggression. Men and women both
@@BUFFALO_cougar_slayer Absolutely! Keep lifting ❤️💪❤️ Wish you all the best!
You really need to write a book for common people on these topics, I like this spilling of philosophy/psychology spilling from your other channel.
No. I train exclusively for vanity's sake.
Its very noble to work hard so everyone else has something pretty to look at
To me, it feels like vanity isn't sustainable--not enough to put in the work week/month/year in and out. Put differently, it's a delicious cherry on top, but not the whole dessert. I don't want to have worked and saved my whole life to finally retire, and be too unhealthy to enjoy those years. Tangentially, I find it more difficult to deal with the negativity of others...the more progress I make, the more resentment it feels like is bubbling beneath the surface of interactions with others.
At last someone reasonable 👍
Everything has good and bad in it. The great thing is you can chose the narrative and go down the path you want to experience. I chose the positives you listed about vanity motivating you in a positive way to take care of yourself. Good talk episode Mike. 👍
I come from Olympic weightlifting and have always been very functionally oriented (training for strength/power/longevity), but we should normalize training for looks. "Fit fat" isn't a thing. We've normalized unhealthy physiques, "dad bods," and "mom-curves" to our own detriment.
We don't all need bodybuilder physiques; few of us have top 1% genetics, but we can ALL have very impressive, healthy bodies. And yes, if you look good on the outside, it matters for what's on the inside. If you have excess visible body fat, guess what? There's probably a ton of fat around your organs and in your blood, which is unhealthy!
Well said! 100% agree.
Why do you care if someone else isn’t healthy?
@@SawBlade11 Because I love my family members. And for strangers, even if I hate them, I don't want them to die early. But from a cost perspective, I'd prefer they die early instead of taxing the healthcare system for decades before they die. This means everyone's insurance premiums go up.
It's nice to live in a society with healthy, physically capable people. And healthy people are happier people too...I'd prefer to interact with strangers who aren't strung out on pain killers, stressed out over cancer treatments, or grumpy because they're in physical pain.
Should I go on, or are we good?
@@falsificationism lmao well maybe you should just worry about yourself and your family and quit caring about what others do with their bodies. Kind of weird
@@SawBlade11 You understand the point of this channel and this particular video, right?
And no thanks. I care about my community. I care about having access to care. I care about overworked emergency services. And I care about society.
This is a healthy attitude. But you do you, bro. Enjoy your egoistic individualism.
Wow, didn't expect to get a masterclass in psychology today. Amazing content
If I look good, I feel good. Cheap self help
Looking better is the most selfless thing you can do, it means everyones view is a little bit better.
GO TO GYM AND LIFT HEAVY WEIGHTS you're getting soft mike
and you look more soft too)
yes he reduce the doses now so he is a bi.. agian)
he is as soft as potato now he is it to looks man to man action
dr G4P he he
DR MIKE DO G4P now he is in to that we allready se it
he have low to compored to old days
yes he is soft you catch it 100%
mike israetel looks like a girl now hehehe
Thanks Dr Mike, that's what I needed to hear!
Why tf else would you train other than walking around looking like a god? 🤷🏾♂️🦁😬😂
Literally answered in the video.
@@strategicsage7694 Na, that's only people who don't look like gods.. There is no other answer.
Man i love your channel. Glad i found it. You're an inspiration and thank you for what you do.
You crack me up. God bless.
Training for health... really? Like..... just for health? 🤣
Hey, PT is important, too.
Yes. It's my main reason for doing it. If I didn't think it was essential to health and longevity, I wouldn't be doing it.
@@strategicsage7694 i'm joking 👀
There's some really deep stuff here.
I feel borderline obsessed, but I feel so accomplished when I finish a session.
I've been accused of having a fitness addiction, but I look in the mirror and feel great about myself.
Training has been healing me in deep ways, as I suffer from violence when I was a kid I got completely numb and disconnected from my body, at the GYM I have been able to recognize my own body again, to feel me... I would like to research about this but have not idea where to start. Also I was bullied at school, I now feel very popular hehehe specially at the GYM :) one has to train out af love, going to the GYM is to heal 🌸
I started my fitness journey in attempt to heal from mental and emotional trauma. never trained in front of a mirror (i train only at my home gym/outdoors). but there was a point after 2 years of consistent training where people started to address my physique and honestly it felt great to hear that. i'm 36, 5"9, 132 Lbs, and i love what training does to every aspect of me including strength, appearance, mental stability & clarity, pain management (mental + physical), injury prevention, joint mobility, longevity, energy levels, the ability to do my job without getting tired at the end of each day, mood swing regulator, motivator to help achieve in other fields in life.....
Train for whatever reason, but acknowledge all the benefits and aim to achieve them all. Luckily for us, the same exercises do all of these things and more :)
I'm over 59 and hooked! Love training! I started for health reasons but i don't kid myself. Vanity is an added plus that I would never throw out! Vanity and energy add that spark that helps to keep one going positive. Nothing wrong with that. Seen people that had strokes that recovered faster because of vanity... positive vanity! Nothing wrong with vanity.
I see my workouts at the gym as something really enjoyable. I like my body as it is but I think it could look even better. My issues aren’t in the gym but my sport that I play. I might be walking away from a serious home fire instead of walking towards that warm comfortable room. Thank you Dr.Mike and RP Strength.
Yes!!! My body is MY Art Project! Love that!!!!
One of the best videos I have ever seen. For me it was like therapeutic.
Great video. Definitely an important topic and you broke it down well
I started with vanity and health and seeing both improve massively over the last 9 months has been incredible
Thank You for this ❤ I may watch this several times. Love your channel ❤