ABS-OLUTELY PERFECT

I am a member of 2 different gyms. The first is a council run leisure centre where I attend various classes, mainly to chat with my friends rather than acquire the body beautiful. The second is more hard core (forgive the pun). In this establishment I am probably the oldest female on the books. Younger, more nubile, women with pert bottoms and tight abs work hard on their physique alongside their male equivalents keen to display broad shoulders and chests, rippling biceps, huge thighs, tight abs and a strong, strong musculature - often at the expense of flexibility, if I’m not mistaken.

It has always struck me how the notion of what makes a woman’s body beautiful has changed so much over time. The various, often restrictive, dress codes have pushed and shoved our butts, waists, breasts, necks and feet into ridiculous shapes throughout the centuries, often damaging internal organs or creating other inane disabilities along the way. Add make up (often using poisonous substances) and hairstyling (ditto) into the mix and there is probably no one single definition of beauty that doesn’t change according to the fashion trend of that time. One reason why I am always so concerned to see what young people are doing to change their appearance with fillers, botox and other bodily augmentations that are not only harmful but can so easily date.

Yet, we look at the masculine body and nothing seems to have changed since the Classical Period of 4th century - 5th century BC. Many of the goals that men strive for in the gym today most definitely echo the ideals displayed by Greek statues of this period.

Back then the gymnasium would not have been in the apparatus filled halls that we see today. Rather, it would have been situated in an open space, nestling among shadowy groves outside the city walls. It was the norm for male athletes to be naked in the gym, even when wrestling with one another in the palaestra (wrestling school). Even then there focus was on gaining muscle definition and separation. Today, we might call it ‘ripped’ but, essentially, it’s the same thing. Their aim was to acquire the V shaped silhouette of broad shoulders and narrow waist, to maintain low body fat, essential to show off a defined core and visible abs, and attain a strong, balanced physique where overall strength, agility and functionality were valued.

Here’s the Thing: the influence of Greek ideals is undeniable in the quest for the perfect male body BUT it probably applies to you too. If you have ever posed for a photo with one foot in front of the other, and placed your arm into a ‘teapot handle’ shape in an effort to make yourself look slimmer and taller, then you are also emulating the Greeks. Contrapposto is a sculptural pose in which the human figure stands with most of its weight on one foot so that its shoulders and arms twist off-axis from the hips and legs in the axial plane. This creates an S-curve in the body's overall form, which is considered to be a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing posture. Look at any influencer or model, and you’ll see they are doing the same as our ancestors from long ago. Next time you stand like this, just remember you are emulating a Greek god/goddess. Nothing is new - right?

I just find the whole thing fascinating. How about you?