Social commentators are constantly trying to tell people to be happy with the bodies that they have, and that living a healthy and happy life is what counts. Unfortunately, everywhere you look there are images displayed identifying what the perfect body should look like. If you’re like the ordinary American, you look nothing like the models to which we are supposed to aspire. There wouldn’t be a man alive that doesn’t want the kind of body that makes finding a potential partner that much easier. Whether you are actually one of those people who are actually willing to put the time and effort into making that desire a reality is another thing. Being in shape and looking after yourself does not necessarily mean that the gym has to become your second home. Having said that, it is unrealistic to expect significant changes in body image if you don’t put in the required work. The amount of time you should spend exercising depends on the types of activity to do. Some people can get away with only doing a few hours a week, others require more. It is important though not to get too obsessive about your workout routines and how long you spend on them. There is no doubt that a well defined and toned guy is attractive to the majority of women. For this reason, most guys have a tendency to focus on muscle building activities when they exercise. The fundamental component of any muscle building routine is weight lifting. There are a number of different methods of weight lifting including using weight machines, free weights and using no external weights (that is using your own body weight to create resistance). Each of these systems is performed quite differently and they all have quite different benefits, but they all can give you the results that you require. Weight machines generally offer a higher level of resistance and have a lower tendency to cause injury than free weights. Alternatively, free weights enable greater muscle specific strength gains and offer a greater degree of flexibility within the workout. Either way, you need to follow the advice of experienced trainers to get the best out of each style. You can also use your own body to create an effective workout. Push-ups and sit-ups can be effectively used to tone various muscle groups around the trunk and upper body in addition to triceps. You may need to do more repetitions than on a weight machine but they can be done virtually anywhere at any time. The other benefit of these routines is that they don’t require specific equipment. There new muscle building routines being developed all the time. Even if you don’t like the new styles of exercising you can always adapt the older methods to suit your own needs and environment. There is not necessarily a need to join a gym but they can offer benefits other than just the use of exercise machines. They can offer support and motivation to continue getting results or help you adjust your program so that you continue to lose or tone. There is also a wide range of information including routines and support groups online that can keep you motivated.