The use of the word “athletic” in relation to body type is quite popular. When this word is used to describe a body the term usually implies the physique that is trim, muscular and tall. Usually the athletic frame is associated with runners or swimmers. However, the word is grossly misused. Now, if we look at the definition of the word athletic we find:
athletic |aθˈletik|
adjective
1 [ attrib. ] of or relating to athletes or athletics : athletic events | an athletic club.
2 physically strong, fit, and active : big, muscular, athletic boys.
Since the first definition points to athletes, I think the definition of that is important as well.
athlete |ˈaθˌlēt|
noun
a person who is proficient in sports and other forms of physical exercise.
• chiefly Brit. a person who is skilled in competitive track and field events (athletics).
It would read that to be considered athletic one should be “physically strong, fit, and active” and be “proficient in sports and other forms of physical exercise”. So it would reason that folks who do well in sports, any sport not just a chosen few, should be considered to have an athletic frame. Taking a gander at Wikipedia’s List of Sports there are categories which surpass this body stereotype. In fact, there are more sports which either do not require a specific body type, or require one that is different from the general idea of “athletic”, than there are ones which adhere to the standard. For instance, female gymnasts need to be very thin, short in stature, have very little in the way of curves, and be extremely muscular. However, shot put athletes need to throw a shot weighting 8.8 pounds (for women) or 16 pounds (for men) as far as possible, thus are usually extremely muscular all over. A similar body type as a body builder, though less girth.
It is both fascinating and disheartening, to me, that the world’s obsession (and by “the world” I mean mainly United States/Canada/UK) with the shape of the human body has become so diluted and misaligned that masses of people who are athletic are refused the title simple because of our connotations with fat and health. Truth be told, being muscular is still classified as being overweight. Let’s think about this. Take a 6′ tall male body builder. His weight is centered around 350 to 400 pounds. If this man was to list his height and weight only, people would immediately jump on the OMG YOU’RE UNHEALTHY AND UGLY AND HORRIBLE!!!!111!!elevenityfuckingone!!!1111 bandwagon. Now, if we add the element of him, then, detailing his body building, he would likely be cut some slack and flaunted over. However, this athlete would not be granted the description he deserves, athletic. After all, he is proficient in his sport, strong, and active.
Our society is so dreadful of the dreaded fat that we would rather strip pride from people than give acceptance and love. People are pressed into boxes with such vigor that anyone that doesn’t fit is outcast. This type of thing is why I’m not surprised when athletes use steroids and drugs to alter their performance. They’re already being stripped of the thing they have devoted their life to. They’re already being forced to fit into this standard. It’s an impossible quest, it’s shaming, and it’s built into our everyday language. It goes beyond just fat or obese, or anorexic skinny. It’s about nearly every person in the entire world, aside from a very select few, being told every single day they are not good enough, they will never be good enough, and they will never be accepted.
