Beyond the Gains: Understanding Body Dysmorphia in the Gym Community
The gym, for many, is a sanctuary—a place to build strength, improve health, and boost confidence. But beneath the surface of sculpted physiques and impressive lifts, there's a quieter, often hidden struggle that affects a significant portion of the active gym community: body dysmorphia.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about perceived flaws in their appearance, which are often unnoticeable to others. Within the gym, a specific subtype, Muscle Dysmorphia (MD), often referred to as "bigorexia" or "reverse anorexia," is particularly prevalent. Individuals with MD perceive themselves as too small, lacking muscle, or insufficiently lean, even when they are already muscular or have an average build.
The Alarming Rates: What the Research Says
While exact prevalence rates can vary between studies due to different methodologies and populations, the evidence strongly suggests that body dysmorphia, particularly muscle dysmorphia, is significantly higher among individuals who actively attend the gym compared to the general population.
General Population vs. Gym-Goers: While the prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder in the general population is estimated to be between 1.7% and 2.4%, studies indicate a much higher incidence of muscle dysmorphia within gym communities.
A Significant Minority: Some research suggests that as many as 1 in 10 men who regularly work out in gyms may be living with muscle dysmorphia. Other studies have reported prevalence rates ranging from 1% to as high as 54% in samples of gym members, weightlifters, and bodybuilders, with higher rates observed among users of anabolic steroids.
More Than Just Men: While muscle dysmorphia has historically been associated predominantly with men, it is increasingly being recognized in women, especially with the rise in popularity of bodybuilding and strength training among female athletes.
Body Image Dissatisfaction: Beyond clinical diagnoses, a considerable number of gym-goers experience significant body image dissatisfaction. One study found that 65.2% of gym users presented with muscle dysmorphia, and a large proportion (54%) wished to be thinner, while 38.5% wished to increase their muscle mass. Another international study found that 38.5% of gym users were at risk of BDD.
I write about this for two reasons.
This has been something that I have struggled with a lot throughout my time in the gym and especially in my early 20’s where I would feel bad if I even had a piece of chocolate thinking it would ruin my physique and make me look bad. I know the struggle but I also know how to get to a much healthier relationship with food through purposely shifting your mindset to achieve this.
The next reason I highlighted this is if you are worried about going to gym because of how you look, a very high number of other gym goers are also worried about you they look. If anything, you can have sympathy on those who are there as they are trying to achieve the exact same goals that you have. They too are wanting to look and feel better about themselves. You are not fighting against them, you are fighting with them and they will also fight for you too. You are in the same boat. Sail into this next phase of your life with a more comfortable outlook than what you might have thought before.
Callumthept