So, you’ve fallen in love with a bodybuilder?
First off, congratulations for landing yourself on a man of steel with an iron will.
Apart from the amazing physique and the unbreakable self-discipline, you have a man who will do anything to reach his goals.
Plus, because he has the body of a Greek god, he will look amazing in just about any outfit he wears.
While dating a bodybuilder definitely has its perks, it also has its downside.
For one, he’s likely to be more high-maintenance or self-centered than you will ever be.
If you’re serious about making this relationship work, it’s important that you’re aware of the difficulties you’re about to face.
Here are some cons of dating a bodybuilder to keep in mind. We’ve also included tips on how you can do your part to keep the relationship intact.
He practically lives in the gym
Serious bodybuilders treat bodybuilding as a sort of religion and the gym as a church.
If they miss even one workout, you can expect hell to break loose.
Why you can trust us. Our expert reviewers devote hours to testing and comparing products, ensuring that the information and recommendations we provide are reliable and fact-checked. Learn more about our editorial process.
While single guys can stay in the gym for as long as they like, it may be difficult for those with clingy girlfriends.
So, what do you do with a boyfriend who always puts the gym first?
You can choose to extend utmost grace in the situation or you can join him once or twice every week.
Either way, make sure that you avoid nagging him about the insane amount of time he spends in the gym.
He nags you to work out more
Because your boyfriend works hard at improving his physical well-being, it’s just natural that he expects you to do the same.
This can be a problem if you’re the type of girl who prefers to Netflix and chill than sweat it out in the gym.
To avoid the incessant nagging from your bodybuilding sweetheart, try to make it a habit to work out at least 30 minutes every day.
Don’t take it personally when he reminds you to work out because, at the end of the day, all he really wants is for you to reach your maximum potential.
If you do choose to exercise with him, there’s the added benefit of staying together longer because according to this study, couples who work out together are more likely to stay together.
He gives you unsolicited advice on what you should and shouldn’t eat
Since bodybuilders believe that muscles are made in the kitchen and not in the gym, your boyfriend will often give you unsolicited advice on the types of food that should constitute your diet.
On some days, he might even try to get you to follow his own diet plan just so you could start eating healthier.
Again, don’t take it personally. Thank him for his concern and just move on.
Anyway, it’s up to you if you will take his advice or not. You might even learn a thing or two from his personal experiences.
He doesn’t eat the food you make for him
If you’re the kind of girlfriend who spoils the people you love with homemade goodies, then this right here could be a deal-breaker.
Bodybuilders are picky eaters because they need to make every single calorie and macro that enters their body count.
The best way to a bodybuilder's heart is to ask him for his food list first before you start making meals.
This way, you’ll know what ingredients you can work with to make him food that he will definitely eat.
Or you can feed him on his cheat days when he can eat anything he wants.
He talks about his food intake – all day, every day
At this point, it’s already obvious how much of an impact food has on a bodybuilder’s lifestyle.
For most bodybuilders, food isn’t just fuel for their bodies; it’s also nourishment for their muscles.
So don’t be surprised if your boyfriend likes to talk about his food intake throughout the day.
Be patient with him, especially on days when he starts to sound like a broken record. This is his way of letting you in on the experience.
Since you won’t be able to beat him at this game, you might as well support him by not eating junk food in front of him.
He wears workout clothes whatever the occasion is
This could be a pro or a con, depending on how you want to look at it.
Pro if you like guys who look good in gym apparel.
Con if you feel embarrassed by your boyfriend showing up at your cousin’s wedding in a tracksuit.
Bodybuilders like to wear what’s comfortable to them, muscle tees and spandex shorts included.
Let him do his own thing, especially if you’ll just be lounging around the house for the weekend.
If you have a special occasion coming up that requires dressing up, you can help him out by choosing the right clothes for his physique.
He trusts his gym buddies more than he trusts you
Bodybuilders, especially those who have been single for quite some time, will often have their social lives skewed.
With the amount of time they spend in the gym, their workout buddies aren’t just people they hang out with. They’re family.
Instead of throwing a fit when your boyfriend decides to spend yet another Saturday night with his workout buddies, let him know that you’re just as interested as he is to get to know them better.
Ask him to invite them over for a protein-packed meal.
He prefers to catch up on sleep instead of going out on date night with you
For the average person, sleep is just a way for the body to get some rest. But for the serious bodybuilder, this is when the body recuperates from the physical stress in order to build muscle.
It might feel like a punch in the gut when your boyfriend chooses to catch up on sleep instead of going out on a date with you, but do look at it through a different perspective.
Better to be snoozing in bed than out at the club where ladies can flirt with him.
He loves to check himself out on the mirror
With the insane amount of sacrifices that bodybuilders need to make to get their body in top shape, you really can’t take it against them if they come off a bit vain.
So, don’t be surprised if your boyfriend has a habit of hogging the mirror to track his progress every chance he gets.
The best way to cope with mirror-hogging is to buy your boyfriend his own full-size mirror. This way, you both have your own mirrors to use for your personal primping.
He will flex his biceps in every couple photo that you take
Do you know those couple selfies that you love taking so much?
Well, expect to see your boyfriend’s biceps in all of those because your guy will take every chance he gets to show off his physique.
The best way to cope with this is to not make such a big deal out of it.
You can even do your own flexing and show off what you’ve got in your couple gym selfies.
There’s really no point stressing over how your couple photos should look. The important thing is that you have fun with it.
So there you have it – all the reasons why you shouldn’t date a bodybuilder.
Final Words
If you’re still determined to stick it out with your muscleman after reading all these cons, then what can I say? That’s probably true love.
One more thing, just because he prefers to pump iron in his spare time doesn’t mean that he can’t be a good boyfriend.
You’ll never know what’s in store for you unless you compromise and give the relationship a try. Who knows? You might just find the love of your life.