Obsessed with lifting weights and not feeling muscular enough are not just signs of a gym rat. They could point to bigorexia, a condition that stems from deep self doubt
Representational image. Pic/iStock
Maitreya K, 20, spends as much time honing his musical skills as he does chiselling his body. The Pune-based musician who goes by the moniker Max Kate, says having a muscular body is like “personality development.” He spends roughly 16 hours a week doing a mix of heavy weight training, push-ups, pull-ups, legs and cardio. “I feel that if I am improving my physique, I am improving in personality and characteristics too.” While fitness experts are all for the young focusing on building strength, they are wary of the growing trend where young, male gym-goers are finding mental personality gratification in muscle strength. When this borders on obsession, it gets a name—muscle body dysmorphia disorder or bigorexia.