I was back home helping my parents with a backyard project last month, and I was working with some of my dad's friends who've known me since birth. The topic of city life/crime came up, and one of his friends said that I was, "in that sweet spot where I'm not too big that I'll be targeted, but still built enough to handle myself."
I took it as whatever since this guy was late-50's and hasn't seen anything but other farm boys, but maybe because he's known me all my life it was different.
Then, last week I was at the gym with a female friend of mine, and after squatting some pretty heavy weight, she goes "wow, anon, you have a sleeper build." WTF?
For context I'm 6'5 225. This one actually kinda bothered me considering it was the second observation of this sort, but I would like to think that I'm not insecure.
Point being, when do you actually start listening to jabs like this? If multiple parties have the balls to say it to you, then it's probably something less downplayed than they make it seem.
Could honestly be the clothes you’re wearing? Have a similar build proportionally, (5 10 170) with very low body fat and people don’t know what kind of shape I’m in unless I have my shirt off. I view it favorably as it avoids unwelcome attention. If you want to look bigger grab some slimmer fitting clothes built for athletic bodies (Buck Mason, Lulu Lemon are good)
Bruh you’re 6’5” not 5’6” it’ll be ok
I'm confused, in what world are either of those jabs/backhanded? For a big guy you sure have miniscule self-esteem.
Agreed, OP has low self-esteem. People outright make comments about my body all the time, I always dismiss it and never give it a second thought.
Does he think that criminals target the most muscular guys?
TURN THAT OFF
It’s a misconception that new prisoners attack the largest guy they can find on the yard to “prove themselves” to everyone else.
Bro you are 6'5 225. He was probably just joking.
You might actually be insecure, lol.
I have a sleeper build, so I can relate. I worked out every day eating 175g of protein and gained 35+ lbs of muscle only for my 6'6" 275 lb cousin to let me know I should start "working out" after catching up at a family get together. We werent talking about working out, I wasnt talking about needing more exercise, I legit think he saw me and thought "damn this kid is a twig". Did I mention I had been grinding the gym for 5+ years at this point? Point is, to some youll always look small.
TBH at 6'5" 225, you are likely in good shape but dont look super built. I say this as someone who is 6'1" 200 lbs with a very low % body fat. I hardly drink, eat an incredibly strict diet, and lift aggressively. All my "normy" friends say I look huge but put me up against anyone else who lifts seriously and I am simply not that big. I never will be. I stopped caring about size a while back and only care about strength now.
We are both far above average sized men, but I am assuming you also dont have a big frame. Look, my back is my strongest muscle group and I am approaching a 500 lb deadlift, so I know a thing or two about building a broad back, but at the end of the day, Ill never look big. Part of life is accepting that.
My advice? Keep that sleeper build. I rock XXL hoodies and XL tees any time I go out so people dont assume anything because there is no need for people to assume youre a monster. Keep squatting heavy and let your strength do the talking.
No one at the gym ever says I look huge, but I do have people say, "I saw you squatting / deadlifting, what you just did was insane". Feelsgoodman
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