The Iron is Essential For Male Mental Health

Resistance training has gained immense popularity in the past decade as the new go-to method of maintaining one’s physical and mental health goals. In the 20th century, we all knew that cardiovascular training led to beneficial health outcomes, particularly longevity. Since then, we know collectively that increased muscle mass, strength and power can significantly improve our quality of life, not just how long we live. Male mental health, however, is a hot topic in many developed countries, and I believe the impact of resistance training on male mental health outcomes to be vastly understated.

Providing An External Focus

Throughout history, the male role has relied on looking outward into the world. Hunting, farming, building infrastructure, war, trade, etc. It’s wired into our very nature to seek out rewards based on output and achieving tangible goals. In the modern world, where there are fewer distinct differences in gender roles, it is essential that men address the aspects of their nature that make them men.

When lifting weights, it does not matter how you feel or what you would rather do, you must be present in the task and produce output. The goal needs to be tangible, i.e. “I will squat 150KG”, rather than something more like “I will feel better with each workout”, which is a more subjective, internal goal.

Attractiveness

In decades past, it was well known that the muscular fireman, policeman, made for the ideal stripper fantasy. Recently, social media and dating apps have made the dating landscape far more competitive, with men seeking to attain every possible advantage they can. In the process of this competition, men are beginning to realise that fitness does matter to women. A lot.

Studies have shown that the most attractive physique for a man is a shoulder-to-hip ratio of approximately 1.7 : 1. Also referred to as the v-taper. Broad shoulders, with a narrow waist, in addition to full pecs and ripped abdominal muscles.

Whilst only a fraction of a percentage of the population will actually realistically achieve the ideal physique, men can make significant gains in both confidence and attractiveness by improving their physique.

As a man, if you have many options in the dating market, the probability of other life challenges getting you down is less likely. It is a rare position, but entirely possible, with sound fitness and nutrition principles forming the foundation.

Chemicals

Testosterone - Testosterone makes effort feel good so that we pursue goals external to ourselves. Conversely, if we partake in voluntary effort, we can produce testosterone to reinforce that effort feeling good.

Dopamine - Dopamine, much like testosterone, is linked to effort feeling good. But dopamine also contributes heavily to our sense of well-being.

Cortisol - The stress hormone responsible for Every day we experience a spike in cortisol, whether we want to or not. While we cannot control experience this, we can control when we experience this. Working out, especially early in the day, can elicit this spike in cortisol when we want it to occur, leading to reduced anxiety and neurotic thinking throughout the rest of the day.

Self Actualisation

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. You may recall learning about this in school or university, where human motivation is mapped to a pyramid, with self-actualisation at the very top. Self-actualisation involves reaching one’s potential. One of how we can reach our potential is by seeing the extent to which we can achieve our ideal physiques.

“It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.”

- Socrates

Reclaim your masculinity, goals and the direction of your potential by making the iron your number one priority when maintaining a physical and mental health practice. You can book me for one on one, online coaching here.