I have been studying ancient greek sociology in my spare time, It seemed that they cared deeply about cultivating the greatest possible body that they could, encouraging all important men within the society to workout and turn their bodies into temples of strength. Now from my own experience I think working out is essential for the male psyche - men I believe, need to be physically empowered in order to be secure. Socrates even went so far as to say that ''No man has the right to forsake physical exercise'' I think this was an observation of some truths about how men actually work. I see a lot of men they hit the gym in order to gain the validation for others which is okay - if something gets you started working out that is great because your reasons can change over time. Physical excellence is validating of itself.