Of Muscles and Men
Tatler Hong Kong|January 2023
More Asian men are hitting the gym, and they’re often chasing a chiselled look popularised by influencers and the increasingly diverse superheroes of the Marvel universe. Getting fit is a good thing, but when can it turn toxic? We spoke with guys about body image and the mental-physical health connection
Kate Appleton
Of Muscles and Men

Cut, ripped, jacked or swole: where do celebrities fall on the continuum and what are you? This was the premise of a 2021 Men’s Health story outlining what each adjective requires (in terms of chest, abs, arms and lower body definition) and an ascending scale of mass: from Fight Club-era Brad Pitt to ripped footballer Cristiano Ronaldo to Hugh Jackman’s jacked Wolverine to The Rock.

It’s the kind of scrutiny that women have faced since forever and that men are increasingly up against when it comes to their own bodies and the pressure to conform to hard-to-attain standards. At the same time, the story is suggestive of a genuine desire among many men to understand how they can look and feel better well beyond their 30s.

While social media and pop culture have played their parts to get us here, so has the explosive growth of the wellness industry—a roughly US$4 trillion juggernaut that includes yoga retreats, athleisure and supplements—and greater awareness of the value of exercise and nutrition.

For William Han, the wake-up call came around Chinese New Year 2018. The Singapore native had recently relocated to Hong Kong with his wife and two young daughters and was working in a high-pressure environment as managing director at a bank. Han spied a little bulging in his stomach in a family photo. “I was getting a bit conscious about that, and I also noticed my energy levels were dropping; mentally I wasn’t as sharp as I wanted to feel,” says Han.

Esta historia es de la edición January 2023 de Tatler Hong Kong.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición January 2023 de Tatler Hong Kong.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE TATLER HONG KONGVer todo
THE LAST WORD
Tatler Hong Kong

THE LAST WORD

Every issue, we ask our cover star a round of quickfire questions that give us a little more insight into their personalities. This month: Gulf Kanawut lays it bare

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
WOMEN AT THE WICKET
Tatler Hong Kong

WOMEN AT THE WICKET

Asia's women's cricket teams from outside the Indian subcontinent have been rapidly rising up through the ranks, creating opportunities, breaking barriers and changing the game as they go

time-read
10+ minutos  |
July 2024
TIME TURNER
Tatler Hong Kong

TIME TURNER

A 2024 Turner Prize nominee, British Filipino artist Pio Abad talks to Tatler about carrying on family legacy, unearthing historical connections and why the Philippines is always at the core of his work

time-read
7 minutos  |
July 2024
ROYAL RICHES
Tatler Hong Kong

ROYAL RICHES

Ahead of the opening of Prince and the Peacock, Black Sheep Restaurants' latest establishment, Tatler joins the hospitality group on a culinary pilgrimage to India

time-read
8 minutos  |
July 2024
MAKING HER POINT
Tatler Hong Kong

MAKING HER POINT

Foil fencer Daphne Chan is happy to see the rising interest in her sport since Cheung Ka-long's historic win, and is headed to the Games with impressive wins behind her. But she's not allowing the pressure to get to her, and is most excited about who she might meet in Paris

time-read
3 minutos  |
July 2024
IN IT TO WIN IT
Tatler Hong Kong

IN IT TO WIN IT

Hong Kong freestyle swimmer Ian Ho, whose Instagram handle @Amphlb_ian playfully alludes to his aquatic prowess, competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and won silver in the men's 50 metres freestyle at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. This month, he will represent Hong Kong at the Paris Olympics. He talks to Tatler about making Hong Kong proud, life as a student and professional athlete-and why relaxing is the way forward

time-read
3 minutos  |
July 2024
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Tatler Hong Kong

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Two-time Olympic swimmer Camille Cheng thought Tokyo 2020 would be her last Games, but competing in Paris was too big a draw for the French Chinese athlete

time-read
3 minutos  |
July 2024
INTRIGUE AND INTRICACIES
Tatler Hong Kong

INTRIGUE AND INTRICACIES

Parisian artist Ugo Gattoni takes us through his elaborately designed poster for the Olympics and Paralympics in his home city this month

time-read
3 minutos  |
July 2024
Crafting a New Legacy
Tatler Hong Kong

Crafting a New Legacy

Nicholas Lieou, creative director of high jewellery at Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, is reimagining jewellery, as the brand celebrates its 95th anniversary

time-read
2 minutos  |
July 2024
A Lasting Legacy
Tatler Hong Kong

A Lasting Legacy

Tatler explores Cartier's latest Watches and Wonders novelties with the maison's image, style and heritage director, who explains how the luxury house continues to create designs that are relevant today, yet rooted in legacy

time-read
3 minutos  |
July 2024