The "man-face"

morningstar

morningstar

Cathlete
Every month I read Oxygen magazine. And every month I wonder about the fitness and figure competitors featured in the final pages of the magazine. I'm hoping to get some insight from the fitness and figure competitors that post on this forum.

The competitors all seem to have the "man-face"- that is, that strange thing that happens around the mouth that is very hard to describe in words. To see what I mean, click on the link for pictures of reigning Arnold champion Jen Hendershott : http://www.jennyh.com/images/arnold08/2008arnoldpics/index.html

Is this the result of having very low body fat, or is it the result of using steroids? It is just so common among the very high level of competitors in this sport.

I also think the Pro Tan is heavily overdone, to the point of ickiness.

I don't necessarily have anything against high levels of muscle (which I have) and low body fat (which I DON'T have!), but I don't find these two common traits (the man-face and the overdone fake tan) so often found in high level fitness and figure competitors their most attractive features. Just my opinion, of course, and certainly quite a lot of people could point out many things about me that they would not consider attractive!

Ps. (whispers) Can anyone tell me what the difference is between the fitness and the figure competitions?
 
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Cant be! haha. But to me it looks like a combination of tanning a tooonnn, and a little self help enhancement. I dont know anything about that, but the man face usually comes with steroids doesnt it?
 
I think its the ultralow body fat percentages that make their faces look that way.

Fitness competition requires a fitness routine (dance/gymnastic) but Figure does not - competitors are judged just on physique.
Lisa
 
My mom, who is now 52, was training to compete about 10 years ago. Although she never actually competed, she got really buff, no body fat that I could see! haha, and she did it without any steroids or help whatsoever. Her face never changed, and then she became a trainer.

Well that's my 6 cents, since I already posted three times haha. :)
 
Janis said:
dehydration :D

(in addition to steroids)
Click to expand...

I think that it's a combo of many things. Certainly too little body fat. Probably dehydration, since many take lots of diuretics. Steroids are possible, but I didn't notice any overwhelming acne, but it seems like the main woman in the photos has a receding hairline...which is a side effect of steroids.

Heavy protein intake and extreme weight lifting can also naturally increase testosterone levels, even in women. Doctors actually prescribe increased protein intake and weight lifting to women with low sex-drives.
 
Wow! It's very interesting to me to think that these women believe they look good. I think it's not only a change in their body chemistry, composition and hormones, but a change in their mentality triggered by all of the above. Why would any woman think that this "look" is a good thing?

As mentioned already, she has a receding hairline, a masculine facial structure, a tan that is over the top unattractive and arms that look like a MAN, period. It has to be some sort of shift in thinking to let yourself feel good about looking like this. I'm not finding fault, but it is so foreign to me to think that this is attractive in a female. I just have to think she (and others in her situation) must be happy with this "look", and that happiness must come from a different mind set.
 
Fitness competitors and even physique competitors use "cutting drugs" or others at that level...period. It is not talked about, but alot of them (not all of them mind you, but you can tell the ones who do)..this can lead to that manly look, along with the lower bodyfat percentage which strips away even your facial fat,not a pretty look.
 
tneah said:
Fitness competitors and even physique competitors use "cutting drugs" or others at that level...period. It is not talked about, but alot of them (not all of them mind you, but you can tell the ones who do)..this can lead to that manly look, along with the lower bodyfat percentage which strips away even your facial fat,not a pretty look.
Click to expand...

What is a "cutting drug"?
 
I have a love/hate relationship with magazines like Oxygen. Sometimes it's like looking at pages of a different planet - LOL :p Those muscles do inspire me though. So, I kind of view it as the fashion magazine of the fitness world - Just like I wouldn't dream of walking down the street with the newest runway fashions, I wouldn't dream of making the sacrifies in my life to look like these fitness personalities. But both are meant for inspiration. And that's what it does for me.
 
Sweet Jesus! There is nothing at all about that woman that looks real, much less attractive! The tan is over the top, the peroxide is over the top, EVERYTHING is over the top!
 
Shannon_B said:
Cant be! haha. But to me it looks like a combination of tanning a tooonnn, and a little self help enhancement. I dont know anything about that, but the man face usually comes with steroids doesnt it?
Click to expand...


Are they tested for steroid use? If not they should be.
 
Have any of you seen Supersize She? It is a must watch if you want to see what goes on behind the curtains of bodybuilding competitions. Quite frightening, really.
 
I would guess it's a combination of sun damage and super low body fat, which can highlight the lines on the face.

I've always disliked that over-tanned look. It just seems inconsistent with the picture of health and vitality that figure competitions are trying to convey. I know a lot of the competitors use a fake tan, which doesn't have the issue of sun damage, but I still think it would be nice if they promoted a healthy look.

As for her arms - I personally think they look great. :) I would not necessarily want them on me (hard to find clothes!), but good for her.
 
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