He trains six days a week and has not missed a session in two years. Friends call him disciplined. His partner calls him obsessed, though only quietly, after he cancelled her birthday dinner because it clashed with leg day. In the mirror, he sees a body that is still too small, too soft, not there yet. He checks his reflection in shop windows, wears baggy hoodies in summer, and feels a surge of panic when an injury forces him to rest. Lately, he has been reading about "cycles" online, the steroid kind, telling himself he is just curious.
Body image struggles are often thought of as something that affects women. Yet many men quietly wrestle with how they look, and for some, that struggle becomes consuming. This post explores how body image pressures show up for men, what muscle dysmorphia is, why it can be so hard to spot, and how to get support.
How body image pressure shows up for men
For many men, body image concerns do not centre on being thinner. They centre on being bigger, leaner, more defined, or more muscular. Images of very lean, heavily muscled bodies are everywhere, from films and advertising to fitness influencers and gym culture online. Many of those bodies are the result of unusual genetics, professional training, careful lighting, editing, and sometimes performance-enhancing drugs. Measuring yourself against them can leave you feeling permanently behind.
Some focus on fitness and appearance is healthy. Exercise has real benefits for mood, sleep, and physical health. The question is not whether someone goes to the gym, but what role the gym, food, and appearance are playing in their life, and whether that role has started to cost more than it gives.
What muscle dysmorphia is
Muscle dysmorphia is a form of body dysmorphic disorder in which a person becomes preoccupied with the belief that their body is too small or not muscular enough, even when others see them as fit or muscular (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). It is sometimes described informally as "bigorexia," though that term can make it sound less serious than it is.
People living with muscle dysmorphia may spend hours each day thinking about their body, checking it in mirrors or photos, or comparing themselves with others. They may follow rigid training and eating rules, feel intense distress when routines are disrupted, avoid situations where their body might be seen, and continue training through injury or illness. Some turn to supplements or anabolic steroids, which can carry serious physical and mental health risks.
Muscle dysmorphia is closely related to disordered eating, and the two often overlap. Because rigid food rules and intense training can look like dedication rather than distress, these struggles in men are often missed by friends, family, and even health professionals.
Why it can be so hard to spot
Several things make body image struggles in men easy to overlook. Many of the behaviours involved, such as training hard, eating "clean," and tracking progress, are praised in our culture. Men may also feel ashamed to admit they are worried about their appearance, since body image concerns are often framed as a women's issue. And because the goal is to get bigger rather than smaller, people around them may not recognize the pattern as a problem at all.
Signs it may be more than dedication
It may be worth exploring with a professional if you notice:
Feeling you are never muscular or lean enough, regardless of progress or what others say.
Spending a lot of time each day thinking about your body, checking it, or comparing it to others.
Feeling anxious, irritable, or panicky when you miss a workout or cannot follow your food plan.
Training through injury, illness, or exhaustion.
Skipping social events, work, or time with loved ones to protect your routine.
Hiding your body, or feeling distress when others might see it.
Using, or seriously considering, anabolic steroids or other substances to change your body.
What can help
Notice what you consume. Pay attention to how particular accounts, videos, or communities leave you feeling. Unfollowing or muting content that fuels comparison can ease some of the pressure.
Reconnect with why you move. Exercise that is chosen for enjoyment, strength, stress relief, or connection tends to feel very different from exercise driven by fear of losing progress.
Talk to someone. Many men carry body image struggles alone. Telling a trusted person, doctor, or therapist can loosen the hold of shame.
Seek specialist support if needed. Body dysmorphic disorder and eating difficulties are treatable, and therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy can help. If you are using or considering anabolic steroids, speak with a doctor, without judgement, about the health risks and safe options.
Reflection questions worth exploring
These prompts are best explored with a professional rather than used to reach conclusions on your own.
How much of my day is spent thinking about my body?
How do I feel when I miss a workout or cannot follow my routine?
What would I be afraid of if I took a week off?
Whose bodies am I comparing myself to, and how realistic are they?
What has my focus on my body cost me in relationships, work, or enjoyment?
Support at Vive Wellness Therapy
At Vive Wellness Therapy, we understand that body image struggles affect men too, and that they are often carried in silence. We offer a non-judgemental space to explore your relationship with your body, food, and exercise, and to build a sense of worth that does not depend on how you look. If you would like support, we would be glad to hear from you whenever you feel ready.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787
This article is provided by Vive Wellness Therapy for general informational and educational purposes only. It is intended to be used alongside professional therapy and medical care and is not a substitute for assessment, diagnosis, or treatment by a qualified health professional. Please speak with a doctor about the health risks of anabolic steroids or other performance-enhancing substances. Research and clinical guidance evolve over time, and information in this article may become outdated or contain inaccuracies. For support with eating or body image concerns, the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC) offers a free Canadian helpline at 1-866-633-4220 and live chat at nedic.ca. If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 (Suicide Crisis Helpline, available 24/7 across Canada; in Quebec, calls connect to 1-866-APPELLE). If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency department.
