"What a beast!", "Guy's a beast!", "That's beastly!"
Images and videos on social media of fit and strong athletes doing their thing are often inundated with comments like above.
For some, the motivation behind such labeling is the activity (movement or lift) itself. Usually, the observation of it being aggressive or exhibiting technical finesse and one that involves high intensity, energy or impact.
While others are more impressed by the personal aspects of the performer. Which are things like the athlete's fame or persona, their muscularity (size), the degree of leanness, track record and so on.
Thus, the concept of describing feats of strength and athleticism or muscular human beings with adjectives that literally imply the wild or savage are motivated mostly by semblances in size/look and aggression/behavior.
But what does it really mean to be a beast?
Out of the most easily available definitions of "beast", the following do sound relevant to the present context as they both conjure up images of size, power and aggression. (source)
- A very large or powerful person or thing
- Animal nature as opposed to intellect or spirit
However, the next two dictionary meanings make this adjective less pertinent to the context of mainstream lifting, athleticism or human musculature.
- An animal other than a human, especially a large four-footed mammal.
- A living organism characterized by voluntary movement (source)
The word "mainstream" in the previous paragraph needs to be stressed again. Because in this post, which is far from the mainstream, I will show you how the previous two meanings are much more relevant to acts of real athleticism.
Aspects of visual similarity
Let us look at some beasts of nature. While you look at the pictures, pay special attention to the shape of their torso region. That is the lower back, the diaphragm/ribs and lower-abdomen/pubic region.
Cheetah
Lion
Man's best friend
If you notice carefully, all these beasts have one thing in common. And that is the overall torso shape. Their torso is characterized by:
A bulging diaphragm/ lower-rib region relative to the lower abdomen/pubic region and an almost straight lower back.
Further, even in their resting posture, (visually) the spine is always neutral. It's as if they are naturally braced. Ready to spring into action at a moment's notice of danger or excitement!
Now scroll up and see the main picture of this post again. (which, by the way, is 2017 world champion Kim Tuan Thach).
Notice his torso shape.
See what I mean?
Let us look at one of the most decorated weightlifters of modern times: Lu Xiaojun
Also, someone not from Asia, rising Armenian superstar and 2018 world champion, Simon Martirosyan
See what I mean?
I will explicitly state just to be sure.
There is a clear similarity between the torso shapes of "natural" beasts and these "human" beasts who routinely lift world record weights. Bulging lower chest/rib region, narrow lower-abdomen/pubic region and an almost straight spine.
Here is our average Instagram "athlete".
See what I mean?
His torso shape tells us a different story. No, not a beast according to my standards. Looks like someone missed the memo on knowing to brace and maintain a neutral spine!
Manner or nature of the movement
While showing or faking aggression or making a lot of noise by shouting or banging bars does get one social media "beast points", in reality, they are superficial acts of venting the fear trapped beneath. They neither add kilos to the bar or take off seconds from the clock.
Quite the contrary, all it says about the athlete is that mentally and physically it called for a lot of effort in doing the act. That within them, perhaps a greater part, did not know if they were going to make it.
Ever watched a cheetah sprinting, a lion going for the kill or a dog playing around?
Do you see effort? Or do you see elegance?
Which is more impressive and beastly? Getting a world record and almost (looking like) dying in the process. Or do the same as if it is child's play?
"But shouldn't PRs or records take a lot of effort?" you say.
To which I say, it is fine if you never intend to unleash your real potential.
If you never intend to know your sport
If you never want to be a BEAST.