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Small-Scale Question Sunday for May 14, 2023

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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Purely idle curiosity: Could someone following the Charles Atlas exercise program achieve Charles Atlas's physique?

Charles Atlas's physique

i think he stood 5'10 and 185 lbs at 15% bodyfat/ that is doable

Pre-steroid bodybuilder physiques are quite normal looking. Big, lean, natural. Choose two.

big naturals

Can’t be mad at that.

But all joking aside the best physique I ever had was me at about 230lbs and 20% body fat.

After 18 months of big lifting and hard work, I was in the locker room, looked in the mirror, and I had the physique of an over the hill samurai. Ropy, thick shoulders. A huge, muscular ass. A core like a tree trunk. And a little pot belly.

I looked like a mook in a Kurosawa movie, screaming at the bar maids to bring me more sake.

Shit was choice, couldn’t be more proud of myself.

I don’t think it was a coincidence that I got married shortly after that.

230 at 20% body fat is no joke. That's the "can probably beat 99% of men in a fight" physique that women seem to love.

I call it the “Alpha Dad Bod”. Especially since I wasn’t doing any bodybuilding stuff, it was almost all complex lifts and boxing. Very utilitarian.

I’m currently at 245lbs at almost 30% body fat, I’m trying to get back to it.