Muscle worship

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Men weighing a German bodybuilder before a competition (1995) by Andreas Bohnenstengel. Bodybuilding competitions are akin to a form of muscle worship, as the bodybuilder exposes their body for an audience.

Muscle worship (also called sthenolagnia) is a form of

wrestler), is almost always an individual with either a large body size or a high degree of visible muscle mass, while the worshiper is often, but not always, skinnier or smaller.[1][2][3][4][5]

Background

The Encyclopedia of Unusual Sex Practices lists sthenolagnia ("sexual arousal from displaying strength or muscles") and cratolagnia ("arousal from strength") as paraphilias associated with the practice of wrestling for erotic purpose, although there have been no studies concerning them.[6][7] Forensic and Medico-Legal Aspects of Sexual Crimes and Unusual Sexual Practices, the 2008 comprehensive monograph of Anil Aggrawal, only defines the two terms, and does not provide any additional information.[8]

As with many

pin a smaller worshiper, thereby forcing that worshiper to come in contact with the dominant's muscles, others might only display their muscles and allow a worshiper to touch them.[5] People who participate in muscle worship generally find the practice sexually arousing, but some male bodybuilders offer muscle worship sessions only for monetary gain, as bodybuilding does not always guarantee a steady income. For well-known competitors, this can also draw in fans who want a chance to meet with and touch the muscles of bodybuilders whom they idolize.[5][9]

Muscle worship is a fetish among some gay men, giving rise to a number of websites that display bodybuilders posing for admirers and offering private online posing shows.[10][11] There are also sites devoted to women who enjoy worshiping male bodybuilders. Many other sites are oriented towards straight men who enjoy worshipping female bodybuilders and other fit, muscular women, either virtually or by arranging for in-person sessions.

"It pays well, and many guys are either doing it right now or have done it in the past. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger was rumored to be into this shit."

— Bodybuilder Gregg Valentino about muscle worship.[12]

In his book Death, Drugs, and Muscle: Surviving the Steroid Underworld, bodybuilder Gregg Valentino called muscle worship a "taboo subject in the world of muscle," and noted that Arnold Schwarzenegger might have participated in muscle worship sessions in the past.[12]

In her master's thesis,

Harrovians (1913).[14]

In a similar vein of criticism,

male chauvinism, racism, sexism etc."[16]

Dance critic John Martin maintained that late-19th century dance focused on muscle culture, when "[e]very boy wanted to be a Sandow, and the muscle that was somehow of primary importance was the biceps." Martin further derided that "when certain spectacular muscles are developed to inordinate size they merely interefere with movement and the body becomes muscle bound."[17] In researching for his 2002 book, Skipping Towards Gomorrah, Dan Savage received an advance from eventual publisher Dutton to explore the Seven deadly sins, which included paying "a male escort with a body like an SUV whose specialty was "muscle worship" and who liked having his feet kissed for $500 an hour."[18]

In the documentary

veins
. It's all about the movement and it's all about the muscles swelling and blood flowing though the muscles."

See also

References

  1. , pp. 159-164
  2. ^
    HBO Special Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, #160 aired on July 14th, 2010 official synopsis, a text summary and critique, streaming video: part 1, part 2
    (the muscle worship proper coverage starts at 3:30 in the 2nd part)
  3. .
  4. ^ Google scholar search returns only [1] as of 3 Oct. 2010
  5. .
  6. ^ Dufour, Derek (2 July 2021). "Talking Huge With Craig Golias – EP 5: Muscle Worship and Highest Paid Bodybuilders". Generation Iron. The Vladar Company. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  7. ^ Ques, Florian (23 August 2017). "Dans les coulisses de la sthénolagnie, ou quand les muscles deviennent érotiques". Konbini (in French). Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  8. ^ a b Valentino & Jendrick 2010.
  9. ProQuest 2492692675. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021 – via ProQuest
    .
  10. ^ Mangan, James A. (1976). Athleticism: A comparative study of the emergence and consolidation of an educational ideology. University of Glasgow. pp. 318 (302). Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021 – via ProQuest.
  11. ISSN 0743-1791. Retrieved 8 December 2021 – via ProQuest
    .
  12. ^ Colaguori, Claudio A. (2002). Agon culture: The ideology of conflict and the order of domination (Ph.D). York University. pp. 272–273 (281–282). Retrieved 8 December 2021 – via ProQuest.
  13. ISBN 9780871270016. Retrieved 8 December 2021 – via ProQuest
    .
  14. ISSN 0745-970X. Archived from the original
    on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.

Sources