I
n theory, dad bods date back to
biblical times when “Jeshurun
grew fat” in Deuteronomy 32:15.
But despite the male species being
on show in public places ever
since, the term was only coined
in 2015, by Mackenzie Pearson, an
American 19-year-old student who
thought a “dad bod makes [guys] seem
more human, natural and attractive”.
Now a phenomenon that applies to all
men, not just fathers, striving for ‘dad
bod’ status is a refreshing change, and
in an age where body shaming is rightly
slammed, it’s great to see the acceptance
of all shapes and sizes.
Swimwear label Budgy Smuggler runs
a competition to find ‘the Most Ordinary
Rig’ and spokesperson Jarrod Allen
believes Aussies, especially, love a dad
bod. “People’s attitudes are changing
and a lot of it has to do with the larrikin
in us, embracing the ordinary in
everyone and getting on with it,” he says.
“We concentrate on guys you can grab
a beer with over the bloke that spends
hours in the gym, looking in the mirror.”
New dads out there can take solace in
the fact that, according to a study done
by Northwestern Medicine, you will put
on a few kilos. And though you may feel
pressure to stay in shape, research by
British psychologists in 2011 suggests
women are attracted to such body types
when they anticipate being married to
a high-income man. (Good to know.)
Today, with ‘dad bod’ evolving to mean
any type of physique – be it a more
rounded Leonardo DiCaprio or a ripped
Chris Hemsworth – we’ve compiled our
own dad bod workout tips, to embrace
and achieve the ultimate ‘dad bod’,
whatever that should mean.DAD BOD WORKOUT TIPS
- MIX UP THE FOCUS
Dad or not, everyone
is time poor these days,
so to keep motivated
about exercise, change
your focus and have
new challenges
throughout the year.
Spend a month training
for a 10km run, try
mountain biking or sign
up for a volleyball
course – instead of
sticking to one all year.
2. SEE A SPECIALIST
Personal trainers
cost the earth so seek
a one-off specialist
in a discipline you are
keen to take up, like
swimming. Grasp the
fundamentals then
get them to map out
a routine for a month
or so. You’ll soon realise
pushing yourself is
better than some
super-fit PT doing so.
3. BE SELFISH
A new parent’s achilles
heel is often his or her
inability to prioritise
‘me time’ into the
equation. A 20-minute
run or workout is a
great antidote to the
daily grind – and is
crucial for everyone
involved. Encourage
your partner to do
so too, without it
sounding like a nag.
4. DON’T STARVE
When it comes to pizza,
beer and chocolate, ‘in
moderation’ isn’t ever
the magic phrase we
want to hear. It’s a good
guideline but if you can
maintain a healthy,
balanced diet and
always keep yourself
hydrated, then treating
yourself won’t come
with that feeling of
guilt we often get.
5. CARE LESS
Budgy Smuggler has
the right attitude with
its #OrdinaryRigAU
search: “We sold out
of XL and XXL so knew
the message had been
received. It’s great to
see blokes embracing
their bodies and not
feeling the pressure
from social media
to bust out crunches
eve r y m o rn i n g.”
6. E N C O M P A S S
F I T N E S S I N T O
FATHERHOOD
6-12 months: kettle bell
lunges and squats with
your toddler have the
desired effect.
18-24 months: running
with a pushchair in tow
is great for endurance.
4+ years: surfing, footy,
swimming, rugby, right
up until they become
much better than you.THE SAYING GOES, IT’S EVERY DAD’S
DREAM TO HAVE A MINI VERSION OF
HIMSELF TO INTRODUCE TO SPORT.
THESE MEN SHOW YOU HOW
FATHERHOOD IS KEEPING THEM
AT THE TOP OF THEIR GAME.132- MICHAEL CLARKE
Future Australian captain Future Australian captain
in the min the making? Clarkey aking? Clarkey
shows us that there’s no shows us that there’s no
such thing as starting his such thing as starting his
daughter too young.daughter too young. - ANDY MURRAY
Six mSix months after becomonths after becoming ing
a dad, he won his third a dad, he won his third
grand slamgrand slam. The Scot is. The Scot is
showing us all how to showing us all how to
balance work life with balance work life with
parenthood, kind of? parenthood, kind of? - OWEN WRIGHT
The Aussie surfer’s son is The Aussie surfer’s son is
yet to myet to miss a stop on the iss a stop on the
tour, and already has a tour, and already has a
feel for the water. If it’s feel for the water. If it’s
possible, the Wpossible, the Wright famright family ily
mmight have another pro ight have another pro
surfer on their hands. surfer on their hands.
10 OF
THE BEST
SPORTING
FATH E R S
* OK , WE A C C E P T C ONOR MC GR E GOR E T A L D ON’ TH AV E YOUR AV E R A GE D A D B OD S.H AV E YOUR AV E R A GE D A D B OD S.252 GQ.COM.AU SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017FIT