Certain stereotypes are attached to those who have an enthusiasm for fitness.
Health nut. Busy body. Gym rat. Jane Fonda. Meathead. New Zealanders.
No wait, that last one might just be my own personal belief. I
But nerd? It's usually not the first thing that comes to mind.
This article tries to dispel that reverse-stereotype. You can be both buff and nerdy. And that's a good thing.
The key is to be unassuming about the six pack lurking beneath the cardigan sweater. It's the geeky guy equivalent to the sexy librarian archetype.
"Sheepish fitness," one source declares, "is the only tolerable kind."
Dave Lee: What is this geek hiding under that blazer?
So why are nerds hitting the weight room? Why aren't they content to play with propeller hats instead of functional trainers?
"I think
it was sort of a response to being a total fucking geek in high school
and getting picked on a lot,” said one woman, who was "shocked" when her geeky boyfriend took off his shirt to reveal washboard abs.
True? Maybe. I'm just glad I'm not the only one who's not above pop psychology to assess fitness goals.
Then the article takes a dramatic turn and starts talking about Ripsters: hipsters who work out and really care about their appearance, but don't want to let on like they do. They would lie about having a gym membership just to not be associated with a J-O-C-K.
I've always thought sexy is being confident, but not flaunting it. Working hard to get the goods, but not shoving it in everyone's face. That part of the article I agree with.
But I think it missed the mark in just focusing on chiseled nerds and ripped hipsters. The truth is, you won't just find hardbodies who squat 500 pounds and spout "no pain, no gain" in a gym these days. Probably never was that way. It's everyone.
Geeks, grandmas and New Zealanders included.