It’s Okay to Train for Vain
Introduction: The Taboo of Vanity
For as long as I can remember, it’s been looked down upon to work out purely to improve your looks. It’s seen as vain. Especially for men — and ironically, even for women now.
The media pushes this narrative that you should be satisfied with your body no matter the size. That even if you’re massively overweight, you’re still beautiful.
Whether you agree with that or not isn’t the point.
The real issue is this: if you’re not actually satisfied with your body, this message of “body positivity” can become a comfortable cop-out.
It gives you permission to ignore the quiet voice inside that’s begging for change.
It lets you avoid the gym while pretending you’re empowered.
But deep down, you know.
So be honest with yourself:
Are you really satisfied with your body?
Here’s another angle to consider:
Even though the media preaches body positivity, the same media still sells you images of lean, attractive people. Everywhere.
Because sexy sells.
And what’s considered sexy is biological.
You can’t logic your way out of primal attraction.
It tells you not to chase aesthetics — but rewards the people who do.
And in the middle of that contradiction, your soul might be quietly whispering: ‘I want more.’
In this post, I’ll break down why it’s not only okay to train for vain — but why it can be sacred.
And I’ll also show you the key pitfalls to avoid so that vanity doesn’t become your master.
Part I — Why It’s Okay to Train for Vain
1. Vanity as a Gateway to Self-Respect
Let’s be honest.
Almost everyone starts training to look better — even if they don’t admit it.
Even I did.
I didn’t know what “vanity” meant back then.
All I knew was that I wanted to look like Goku from Dragon Ball Z.
That was my spark. That was my first taste of power.
But here’s the thing — building an aesthetic body takes repetition, awareness, and respect.
You can’t fake your way into it.
You have to evolve. You have to care.
You have to meet your body fully.
And that consistent care — the meals, the workouts, the recovery — it builds something deeper than muscle.
It builds self-respect.
Think of it like owning your dream car.
You don’t trash it. You clean it, tune it, fuel it with the best.
And because you respect it, others do too.
They admire it. They don’t leave garbage in it. They treat it like it has value — because you do.
But here’s what makes the body different:
Your body improves the more you respect it.
It evolves with you. It becomes more capable, more magnetic, more alive.
Isn’t that fucking awesome?
2. The Energy of a Trained Body
We’re entering the spiritual layer now — so hold tight.
I believe the world runs on energy.
Not electricity-in-your-laptop kind of energy — I’m talking about the subtle frequency of life.
The vibe. The presence. The felt sense of who you are.
And before you tune out thinking this is some woo-woo fluff — let’s ground it.
Energy is movement.
Micro-movements. Posture. Breathing. Eye contact.
The way your shoulders rest.
The stillness (or chaos) behind your gaze.
It’s all communication — before you say a single word.
That’s what people respond to.
Your energy can make someone feel calm, secure, nervous, intimidated, safe, attracted — or repelled.
Not because of what you say, but because of what your body radiates.
So what creates this energy?
Your body.
A strong body doesn’t just look powerful — it feels powerful to others.
It carries a presence.
It naturally commands attention — not by force, but by frequency.
Now, don’t get it twisted — a strong body with sloppy posture can still feel weak.
But when strength is combined with control, breath, and awareness?
You become a force.
To build that energy, you don’t just read books or repeat affirmations —
You train.
You move heavy weight with intention.
You control your breath under stress.
You show up when it’s hard.
You refine your form. You find power in tension.
You master the technique of movement — again and again.
And through that process, you start to trust your body.
You feel grounded in it. Safe in it. Alive in it.
You start to radiate from it.
That’s energy.
And people feel it the moment you walk in.
3. Vain Is Sacred
Your body is your temple.
Bet your ass you’ve heard that before.
But let’s break that down.
There isn’t a single sacred temple on this planet that wasn’t shaped with insane care and beauty.
Why?
Because temples house spirit.
And when beauty is built from devotion — it becomes holy.
This is no different from your body.
Your body is the vessel for your spirit.
It’s where your soul lives.
So when you train it — when you sculpt it with discipline, intention, and respect —
you’re not just chasing aesthetics.
You’re honoring the divine that moves through you.
Yes, it’s vain.
But it’s also sacred.
Your body is your altar.
You offer your time, your effort, your breath — and in return, you radiate strength, stillness, and truth.
4. Training as Soul Work
Your soul wants to materialize itself into the physical world.
That’s my spiritual way of saying:
you have a dream body your spirit is trying to birth.
Sculpting that body is an act of art.
Just like a painter shapes a masterpiece with every stroke.
Just like a musician creates a timeless track, one note at a time.
Just like a programmer builds a hit product, one line at a time —
you sculpt your body, one rep at a time.
You’re not just lifting weights.
You’re translating vision into flesh.
You’re taking something unseen — a feeling, a fire, a form —
and carving it into reality with your own hands.
You offer your time.
You offer your breath.
You offer your pain and presence.
And in return, you create a vessel that is not only strong —
but alive with intention.
This is soul work.
Part II — Traps to Avoid on the Path
1. Chasing External Validation
We all want to be seen. Compliments feel good.
That’s normal.
But when your sense of worth depends on others, you’ve handed your power away.
Your confidence becomes fragile.
Your peace becomes public property.
Yes, build an amazing body — but build the one you want.
Not the one Instagram tells you to chase.
Personally, I’ve never wanted the mass of a pro bodybuilder.
Arnold’s a legend, but his look isn’t my vibe.
Same with Chris Bumstead or Sam Sulek — I respect them, but I’m not trying to be them.
I’m building the Brad Pitt in Fight Club body — lean, aesthetic, controlled. Maybe with a bit more muscle.
The point is:
Don’t train for other people’s applause.
Train for your own inner standard.
2. Comparison
In a world where you’re bombarded with perfect physiques and luxury lifestyles 24/7, comparison is the default setting.
Unless you’re hyper-aware, you’ll fall into it without noticing.
Yes, aim to build your best body.
But don’t lose your peace trying to outdo someone else’s highlight reel.
There will always be someone leaner, bigger, more aesthetic.
That’s not a threat — it’s reality.
Your mission is to become your best self, not a copy of someone else.
Comparison steals presence.
It puts you in your head and pulls you out of your body.
You stop living — and start performing.
3. Performance Addiction
This one hits home.
I suck at resting.
Most weeks, I train twice a day — even when I know it’s not optimal.
It’s ambition, yes.
But it’s also addiction — to progress, to control, to momentum.
But here’s the truth:
Rest isn’t laziness. It’s undercover progress.
Your body needs recovery to grow.
Rest doesn’t mean you’re falling behind — it means you’re honoring the cycle.
And if you’re honest with yourself…
Are you training out of love — or chasing the mirror, the numbers, the scale?
Progress is sacred.
But obsession will eat you alive.
4. How to Stay Rooted in Spirit
So how do you stay grounded?
How do you train with soul — not ego?
You come back to presence.
You train in silence.
You feel every rep. Every breath. Every contraction.
You ask yourself:
“Am I doing this from love — or for approval?”
“Am I following my spirit — or the crowd?”
Don’t chase outcomes.
Don’t train for applause.
Train to embody your truth.
Enjoy the process.
Live in your body — not in your head.
Let your dream physique emerge from the now — not from anxiety about the future.
Because comparison, performance addiction, and validation-chasing?
They all live in the future.
But you live now.
Closing: Be Vain, But Make It Art
Most of what people see online looks vain — like it’s all just flexing for attention.
But if you look deeper, past the surface, you’ll see something else:
Working out for your dream body is art.
Every rep you do is a brushstroke.
Every lift shapes the sculpture your soul is trying to create.
Every imperfection is part of the piece — not a mistake.
Every meal is fuel for creation.
Every rest day? That’s letting the paint dry before you go again.
So don’t hide the fact that you train to look good.
There’s nothing wrong with that.
In fact, it’s sacred.
It’s an honor to have a body — and a privilege to sculpt it with intention.
And if you want to share your progress online? Do it.
But don’t post to be approved.
Post to share your truth.
To show your process.
To offer your art.
That’s the real flex.
In the end, this whole journey — training for vain — it’s about honesty.
Are you building your body for you?
Or for the world’s applause?
It’s a fine line.
But it can be walked with grace.
And when it is?
It’s 100% worth it.