Body image and male identity | DW Documentary

"Pretty people have it easier in life," says 15-year-old Moritz. When he posts a video of his body on social media for the first time at the age of 13, it takes a toll: Moritz is bullied at school and starts thinking he’s far too chubby.

These days, does the path to masculinity lead straight through the gym? Are boys no longer allowed to be slim or chubby? For almost a year, the filmmakers follow five young men as they make their way from their childhood bedrooms onto social media and into the gym, documenting their journeys around body image and male identity.

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[smittywerbenjagermanjensen]

the problem isnt working out but the pressure to look perfect on social media.

[Hongaars]

Being a teenager is general never easy. Growing up with social media makes it even harder. There are what are perceived as being “societal expectations”, there is peer pressure. Then there are the multitude of intra personal factors that determine how the individual perceives themself. There is a huge difference between being fit and healthy, and having big muscles. As far as the DW journalism goes, this is a fair and balanced presentation and identifies what many young guys experience in their daily lives. Here’s a suggestion - that DW track and follow up on these chaps in another five and ten years, let them review what they said today, see how their perception has changed. Thank you

[ronnianabalos]

As a gymrat myself and a fan of DW documentaries especially the DW planet A series this interest me

[Pougie]

@20:08 "We're not going to the gym to be healthy, we're going so we can look good." -- This quote is the clincher, I appreciate his honesty, but this is really the point. They are becoming obsessed with fitness because they are inundated with images on social media that have made them feel even more insecure.

[YouTubeCensorsMe]

Getting healthy and exercising is a good thing. Taking anything too far is not. Good on these boys for using the gym instead of drugs when dealing with stress and sadness. The pudgy boy now looks better and I’m sure his mental health is better too.

[MS-ujds]

One spring day, I decided going to the gym. I was 18. Since it was warm outside, I wore shorts. When I looked down and saw my very thin legs, I felt uncomfortable, so I changed into something longer and went out. The next day, I began my fitness routine.

During this time, there were nights when I couldn’t sleep from hunger because I wanted to see my abs. There were also periods when I gained weight to lift heavier weights, and I sweated a lot during those times. A person’s priorities and desires can change over time. Right now, I don’t have abs nor am I lifting heavy weights, but I still enjoy going to the gym somewhat regularly.

No matter the reason (heartbreak, weakness, feeling bad, or even a bit of peer pressure as long as it’s not excessive), moving, exercising, and being close to an ideal weight (as defined for health reasons) is always beneficial. So, I’m grateful for that spring warmth.

I’ve also had the chance to meet and talk with many people who show their abs year-round on social media (or post photos that make it look like they have them). If this isn’t the most important thing in your life or if you’re not doing it professionally to earn money, achieving it is nearly impossible. Missing sleep, skipping a meal, overeating, getting sick, not being able to work out due to a busy schedule, or having worse genetics compared to others can all set you back. Maintaining this form without almost perfecting these factors can only be achieved by using anabolic steroids. These are not my words but what professional bodybuilders I’ve spoken with have shared with me. I’ve experienced many of these things myself during this period, even using anabolic steroids. (I didn't abuse it and, fortunately, didn't experience any major side effects, but many people are not as fortunate as I am)

Just as we see people who appear "skinny" in old Victoria’s Secret shows, I see people who maintain an 8% body fat year-round on Instagram or YouTube as similarly "skinny." Even if they aren’t physically malnourished, someone who has dedicated their life to looking good and can’t eat sweets twice a week has sacrificed many things in my view. I have immense respect for them, but it’s not my path. It’s also extreme for someone in their teens to grow up seeing this and consider this lifestyle "normal."

I translated this text quickly using ChatGPT and read through it; although some sentences are a bit off, it's not too bad. If anyone asks who I am, I’m just a random person on the internet, who has dedicated years to bodybuilding, wrestling, and basketball in his youth.

Summary: Exercising is good. But whether you’re a man or a woman, don’t learn what is normal and healthy from social media. Use your common sense and your brain. And don't use steroids!

[arsalanhasan]

The idea of a perfect body is flawed in their heads. Working out is a good thing for your physical and mental health but their reason to show off on social media is twisted.

[JulAlxAU]

Thank you, DW, for producing these wonderful documentaries and for translating them into English.

[Anjemivas]

Moral of the story: fix problems internally before fixing them externally or the mental suffering will never end until you die

[george-hn]

The worst thing about workout and getting fit is the social media pressure.

[Crowned_Jewel]

We didn’t have Insta in the 80s but we lifted weights for the same reasons. Respect, confidence, women

[richards]

The coach in this video is this documentary is a very good coach. We need more like him to guide these young men in the right direction when it come to body building plus he supports them mentally and guides them in the right directions. Social Media belittles young men for their looks. Be happy what you are born with and there are girls out there who likes you just as you are.

[EggTamago]

It's very refreshing to see a look at the male side of body image. We... definitely have our own pressures and issues to deal with, and social media has brought them to the surface and seems to be turbocharging them. There's definitely a line between just pursuing fitness to to be healthy, be good at a sport, as a hobby, and realistically aesthetics to a minor extent, and things going off the rails into obsessive, unhealthy territory. I felt like many of those featured in this video were able to maintain that self-awareness and critical thought to varying extents. But, it's also hard not to draw parallels between a 16 year old boy already in amazing shape contemplating steroids to keep up on social media, and the often discussed teenage girls starving themselves for exactly the same reasons. I hope that dude's coach keeps pushing back on that notion and he takes it seriously. And... I hope he takes some time to process how being bullied has impacted his mental health and the decisions he's making now, even if it isn't happening anymore.

[HappyBill-ij]

( a senior here in his 60’s) I grew up as a skinny, non-athletic type. I despised group sports since I was usually the guy no team wanted. After I started my career, at age 26 I started jogging and ended seeing progress and it became my daily exercise routine ( 10-15 km daily). Then at age 30 years old I started to go to the gym to become more muscular using protein and creat. I was not a hefty, muscular type but one with a firm body and muscular arms and chest. For 25 years I was an avid jogger and gym member. It made me feel confident about my appearance ( more young than my peers) and the body upkeep made me stick to a healthy diet. True, my evenings were not spent watching TV or hitting the bars with my old friends but I always had an endorphin “high” after jogging or hitting the gym. I see nothing wrong for 15-+ year olds to start hitting the gym; for, it will keep them focused on a good diet, build up their self-esteem and staying out of trouble. You meet the nicest people of all ages at a fitness center.

[LauraDeVasconcelos]

No alcohol, no ultra-processed garbage, lots of proteins and a sculpt healthy body, that's the spirit guys, congratulations, keep it going!

[Recklesshade]

Seems like a neutral stance from DW just presenting the stories.. and i appriciate that for letting viewers get their own interpretation of which these comments have many. In this world, i was expecting it to be more critical and negative but well done.

[n.h]

When you’re doing things to please the social media crowd, then you’re on the wrong path.

[Diesjjj]

It’s so difficult to see the insecurity even when they’re buff.
Confidence has nothing to do with what you look like but how you accept and carry yourself and take care of yourself holistically.

[khalidhakimi]

“We forfeit three-fourths of ourselves in order to be like other people.” ― Arthur Schopenhauer

as an elite boxer and someone who was literally built like a greek god i'm here to tell you that the only light you should follow is the one within your own heart, go within, look inside yourselves for a meaning, follow your heart for life is too short to do things for how others view you, philosophically it is suspect to start something because of how others view you and now you've become someone you're not and so you've given that much power to the other person that they've now invented you into something you're not, this is the peak of insecurity

[ftflx]

As someone who is exercising for more than 7 years here are the things you need to follow if you want to be healthy and build muscle:

Exercise from 3 to 4 days in a week maximum. (Do the compound movements)
Cardio (Do cardio like 1-2 times in a week, running, hiking, bicycle etc.)
Food (Eat as much unprocessed food as possible,
Protein intake from 0.6 to 2g per bodyweight is enough
Calories intake :depends on your needs, you can find fitness calculator online.
Bonus tip:drink only water)
Rest( Sleep at least 7 hours, try to go to bed early as much as possible)

Do this things for around 3-5 years on weekly basis and you'll notice incredible gains.
You gotta be consistent and patient.

Bonus tip: Be yourself and stop following fitness influencers. The majority of them are on peds and the are selling a story that they are natty. So don't fall into that pit that you'll be able to achieve that physic if you're trying to stay natty.

I believe and i hope you're going to make it brahs & sis. 💪🏻