Just Do It ... For Guys
Posted by: Susannah Breslin
Filed in:
news
12:00PM, Wednesday January 28th 2009
What’s this ad really about? You tell me. Copyranter reports this ad campaign was created for the German edition of Men’s Health magazine. Both of the ads feature young women exercising to the point of sweaty, dejected exhaustion. In one ad, the woman leans over the handlebars of her bicycle, out of breath. In the other ad, the woman sits on her stationary bicycle, wiped out. The ad copy reads: “IT’S ALL ABOUT MEN.” Copyranter opines: “While it’s certainly not clear, the message of the campaign appears to be ‘that’s right babes, you keep exercising you little patooties off…for us men.’” It’s hard to argue with that position. One of the female commenters chimes in: “The only reason I exercise is so I can get laid.” I’d say she’s the truthteller. What do you think? Is this misogynist marketing or the face of reality? [Copyranter]
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Erin G
wrote on January 28 2009 @ 12:18 pm: [report]
The ad is a bit misogynist, no lie there. But sadly, its based in truth. I know we’ve had articles here on bigger women and sex, but lets not lie to ourselves, everyone finds fitter women sexier overall.
I mean hell, if sexy was fat rolls and cellulite, I’d be face first in some chocolate cake right now.
Although my next point is, women’s first reason for exercising isn’t men. It probably isn’t for the health or fitness either. Its for other women. High competition and a hell of a lot of jealousy.
jazzyj
wrote on January 28 2009 @ 12:49 pm: [report]
Its totally misogynistic, and right on. I think Erin is right, and women are also exercising for other women - but its directly related to competition for male approval. Top bitch status.
wittybitch
wrote on January 28 2009 @ 01:14 pm: [report]
The beauty about this ad and many other ads, is that its meaning can be taken in many ways. For instance, I read this not as that the woman is working out to such extremes to catch a man, but instead to release the frustration caused by men. I also think it has to do with where the ad is placed. Since this is put in Mens Health, the male audience will probably see it as women working out for them. If this were placed in a womans health magazine (Shape, Self for example) the meaning may change to the one I suggested. But perhaps I’m just biased, having studied advertising in college…
On a related note, I think its interesting that women are stating that the primary reason they workout is ultimately to impress a man or to compete with another woman. I appreciate the honesty but I’m going to be honest and ask what happened to working out because its good for you and you like the way you look in the mirror more after working out? What ever happened to working out for ourselves? Perhaps I’m in the minority on this one too…
jazzyj
wrote on January 28 2009 @ 01:38 pm: [report]
Witty you are so right about why we should be working out - but sadly, if I didn’t have to deal with the social stigmas attached to being out of shape, I can say that there are many, many times I would opt for a big piece of cheesecake with a side of fried chicken and a good book over sweating up my treadmill. That’s just plain delicious, and the book, well, that’s just me loving to get lost in places in my head.
I do love the way I look after a good workout, and I do love the way clothes fit and all that, but I have no doubt that if it were socially acceptable to be a size fourteen, I’d be loving the foods. The cheesecake is convincing by itself. The workouts took years of grade school to convince me by high school that if I didn’t work out, I would be left out.
If you work out just because you love it and if you didn’t you would just sit around getting fat not worrying about your sex life or chances of growing old alone, good for you. I just can’t say the same. I have a need for a good sex life while avoiding the stigma of being overweight.
nicefrenchgurl
wrote on January 28 2009 @ 01:42 pm: [report]
i would say that i exercise so im better in bed, as in fitter/more resistant?
honestly i dont give a damn about what men think about my body, i do it for myself, and my health. anyway, dont u think men can guess if ur body is ferm or not? even with ur clothes on? its a take or give
if i could exercise my face though…. lol
joyy
wrote on January 28 2009 @ 01:54 pm: [report]
Maybe it’s not supposed to mean that you’re working out to look good for men, but rather to be in a place to meet men?
I haven’t worked out in a gym since high school (I’m 23), but friends of mine in college preferred to work out in the out of the way gyms on campus over the newer, flashier ones since they referred to them as “fashion shows” where people were there to be seen/meet potential hook up buddies more than they were to just get a good workout in.
justme
wrote on January 28 2009 @ 02:10 pm: [report]
Is this misogyny? I don’t know. It feels like it, though it probably shouldn’t. The fact is that men are at the gym for the exact same reason, to get the girl. Would the ad work if it was a handsome male and placed in a women’s mag. Probably.
I hit the gym this morning for a number of reasons. Including pride, health, and sex.
BayAreaBeauty
wrote on January 28 2009 @ 02:50 pm: [report]
I exercise for serious health reasons. I don’t exercise to attract some guy that will eventually treat me like crap anyway.
SterlingSilver36
wrote on January 28 2009 @ 04:32 pm: [report]
The main reason that we can’t look at this and think it means women working out for themselves is how unhappy the women look in the photos. It’s not the look of “Oh man, what a great workout, I’m exhausted”. They look completely broken. The brokenness is less noticeable in the photo provided of the woman on the treadmill, but the photo of the lass on the bike looks completely demoralized.
Woman on Bike Advertisemnt
Humble Bee
wrote on January 28 2009 @ 04:51 pm: [report]
i just work out cause it makes me feel more confident, screw the guys, they like any pussy you give them, no matter what size. Quality men won’t notice if you go to the gym or not, they will mostly like you because your fun to be around. Thats just how I see it.
Lyz
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 08:13 am: [report]
I started working out after I got married. And since then I’ve run a half marathon and several other 5k-8k races? Why? Not for the guys. For the chicken mc nuggets. And because I’m too poor to buy new pants.
Mid-West_Fella
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 11:04 pm: [report]
As a man, I feel that the ad does indeed show some level of misogynistic behavior. And it’s been pointed out here several times, it is also correct in its premise. But scientific studies have shown numerous times that men AND women (especially in the United States) are more attracted to the opposite sex that appears to be in higher health, and this is also based on genetic predisposition to provide more health offspring and be able to provide better. Of course today we know that is not necessarily correct. So, I’m saying it might be wrong to make these assumptions about people, but we are (or at very least told we are) hardwired to think and act this way. Right or wrong, it’s the way things are, and those of us who are single deal with it. Attracting a woman is the main reason I go to the gym…