What Does Being Jacked Even Mean?

Being Called Out

I got called out by a comedian the other day.

“Guy in the back, you are jacked”.

We had a quick back and forth and then he went on with his skit. Which was mostly about him thinking he might be gay. No conclusion in case you were curious.

But, besides obviously being flattered. It made my wife ask, “Why does no one say that to me?”, “Does that mean I’m fat?”

After successfully dodging a loaded question, it does bring up the question of, what’s it take to be called “jacked”.

Difference Between Being Jacked And In Shape

My wife is definitely in shape. She is an avid Crossfitter, squats heavy after class, runs and bikes in her free time, and eats far healthier than most people.

But, being in shape does not mean being jacked.

Being in shape is having the physical capability to achieve anything you want to do with your lifestyle.

Jacked, is just a slang aesthetic term. That is only applied when you have someone that looks outside the normal.

It takes you either being a massive guy, a very low-fat percentage, or a moderate combination of both.

And it helps to have a little bit of genetics in your favor to determine where you do store that excess fat.

Why The Difference Matters

Having the motto of “words mean things”, being beaten into my head by the Marines, you need to know that not only do words mean things, your thoughts mean things too.

If you think about it for more than a second or two, you care.

People that workout want to be seen as someone who works out.

No one wants to spend hours in the gym to then be called fat by your fat neighbor Johnny.

They want to be recognized and they want to be looked up to. For a lot of men, despite what they say, being jacked is the goal.

There are two things you have to do. 

The first is, if you really don’t care, you shouldn’t be stressed out if people don’t think you’re jacked. It has no meaning on your physical capability or your level of health.

The second is, if you do want that level of aesthetics. Accept what your real goal is. Understand that it’s ok to want to look Jacked and that you shouldn’t be afraid to let the public know (that is the point).

So, with that in mind, you already know the answer. Put in the work.

Best,

Coach T