04-29-2013, 08:57 PM
So, I play a lot of really big, muscle-bound brutes. It's something I enjoy. A couple of conversations have come up regarding unrealistic weights for muscular forms, so on and so forth. So, since this is something I have done some research on, allow me to help you all think about character weight in regards to muscle builds.
First of all, a picture can say a thousand words, so take a look at this:
Edit: To clarify, I didn't draw this. Cappn has a link to the full image lower down!
One of the biggest problems with regards to people making "strong" characters in fantasy is having no idea how actual muscle is built, or what an actual "strong man" looks like. When most people think strength, they think bodybuilders. Yet, that is not the true "strongest" build. Bodybuilders are at their weakest on the stage.
If you've ever watched a World's Strongest Man competition, you'll know that the strongest men tend to have little, or no, muscle definition at all. It's all raw bulk, without much care for fat over top of it. Take a look at some of the competitors and you'll see what I mean. That "V-shape" that people talk about is not a sign of immense strength!
How does this relate to weight? Bodybuilders that compete are often in the mid 200's to low 300's range in terms of weight. If you look at the weights of competitors in World's Strongest Man? You're talking 300's to mid 400's! The fat that they have increases the weight, certanly, but you also have to consider that they have stronger muscles in places most competing bodybuilders don't, like their core/midsection. Strongmen often have thick waists that, to someone not familiar, would make them look "fat." Until they show you just how much they can lift.
So, think carefully before you assert what kind of build your character has. If you're saying that your character is "three hundred pounds of muscle," then you need to think about "what kind of muscle?" and if there's anything else there pushing that number up. Is it muscle for show, or muscle for work? Because if it's for work, at that weight he's probably not holding that "bodybuilder" style look to him.
First of all, a picture can say a thousand words, so take a look at this:
Spoiler:
![[Image: 132371526674_zpsc9873eb6.jpg]](http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa440/Grakor456/132371526674_zpsc9873eb6.jpg)
Edit: To clarify, I didn't draw this. Cappn has a link to the full image lower down!
One of the biggest problems with regards to people making "strong" characters in fantasy is having no idea how actual muscle is built, or what an actual "strong man" looks like. When most people think strength, they think bodybuilders. Yet, that is not the true "strongest" build. Bodybuilders are at their weakest on the stage.
If you've ever watched a World's Strongest Man competition, you'll know that the strongest men tend to have little, or no, muscle definition at all. It's all raw bulk, without much care for fat over top of it. Take a look at some of the competitors and you'll see what I mean. That "V-shape" that people talk about is not a sign of immense strength!
How does this relate to weight? Bodybuilders that compete are often in the mid 200's to low 300's range in terms of weight. If you look at the weights of competitors in World's Strongest Man? You're talking 300's to mid 400's! The fat that they have increases the weight, certanly, but you also have to consider that they have stronger muscles in places most competing bodybuilders don't, like their core/midsection. Strongmen often have thick waists that, to someone not familiar, would make them look "fat." Until they show you just how much they can lift.
So, think carefully before you assert what kind of build your character has. If you're saying that your character is "three hundred pounds of muscle," then you need to think about "what kind of muscle?" and if there's anything else there pushing that number up. Is it muscle for show, or muscle for work? Because if it's for work, at that weight he's probably not holding that "bodybuilder" style look to him.