Hey guys - lean or bulky? - What look are you going for?

The reason I have addressed this thread to the guys on the forum, is because there aren't any women who lift that want to bulk up. Whereas there are two different trains of thought for men when it comes to lifting. Some lift to get bigger, and others lift to get a lean, more defined look. It seems like the mentality of weight training has changed a lot. Back in the day, it was more popular to get as big/bulky as possible, whereas nowadays it has become more popular to get a leaner and more defined look. When you lift, are you trying to get bigger, or become leaner? Personally, I have never been a huge fan of the bulky bodybuilder look myself. I would prefer to get as strong as physically possible, while maintaining a leaner and more defined look.

* It would be great to get a women's perspective in this thread as well in regards to what you find more attractive.

lean and cut... my husband was a runner in university... lots of well-defined muscles... and he's working on getting there again

Original Post by fitnessgirll:

It's not the size of the boat but the motion of the ocean...  ;)

Cut and lean turns my head all the time!

but it takes a long time to get to england in a rowboat. ; )

And to the OP, I know some women who want to bulk. They're bodybuilders though so...you know they're kind of the exception.

My goal would be a swimmer or gymnast build.  Lean, but with muscles :).  Not a classic long distance runner's build, that's for sure.  And I don't have time for a body-builder's build, either.

I figure I'm about 4% body fat away, and probably 20 pounds of muscle...

Clint

Original Post by hayleymajayley:

I think I'd like the leaner look over a big ole body builder.

 I don't understand, whos' leaner than body builders?

I'm 6'0  187 LBS....I'm VERY VERY cut with about 5 % Body fat.   I'm not really concerned with size like most guys, but I do have to watch my weight all the time for fighting though.  I think if it wasn't for my Track and Field/Soccer backround....I wouldn't be so athletic.  I guess you could say I have a sprinter's build.

I see guys all the time that are huge in the gym...way bigger than me, but they always look my way when I take my shirt off to train cuz they think my "CUT" is unreal...HAHAHAHAHAH....it's hard to get cut....easier to get bigger. 

Lean and cut.  think sprinter not marathon runner. decent size with serious definition.

Original Post by eddiepotter:

but they always look my way when I take my shirt off to train cuz they think my "CUT" is unreal...HAHAHAHAHAH

sounds like a kinky gym, i hope you wink back at them.

Original Post by octo-luv:

Original Post by eddiepotter:

but they always look my way when I take my shirt off to train cuz they think my "CUT" is unreal...HAHAHAHAHAH

sounds like a kinky gym, i hope you wink back at them.

hahaha...no, but when I role deep with like 9 people to help me train for fights...everyone hangs around to watch and when I get hot and take the shirt off...eeehhhh...I get the eyeball sometimes...lol... (bad thing is....I get it from some of the guys too...FREAKS)