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A few weeks ago, my brother competed in his first ever powerlifting meet.
You can watch some of his lifting highlights here:
The event was an amazing experience.
While I am not necessarily a powerlifter, the energy at that event motivated me to want to compete in it at least once.
And it makes sense if you understand the connection between competition, testosterone, and motivation for men.
In this post we are going to explore the acute effects of testosterone production and competition. While these effects are acute spikes, surrounding yourself in a competitive environments is very healthy for testosterone production.
Without further ado, let's dive in!
As we mentioned in a previous post, healthy competition can actually improve testosterone levels. From a psychological perspective, competition is in our nature as men.
If you have a little sibling or son/daughter, you know how good it feels to go all out and completely dunk on the little guy or gal... or to beat them at Mario Kart.
No mercy.
Jokes aside, let's get into some of the studies done on competition and testosterone levels.
Our sex hormones are tied to our social behavior. This is very important to understand, as we adapt to changes in our environment (neuroplasticity).
We can explore this further in various ways by looking at Game Theory.
In a systematic review done on Combat Sport competitors, it was found that testosterone levels were elevated prior to the event. The kicker of this review was that these increases in testosterone prior to competition were only found in men. There was no response with women.
From this study we can gather that there is a difference between men and women with testosterone production.
There have been a plethora of studies done on humans and animals alike that measure competition and testosterone levels. In fact, the acute increases in testosterone also increase the motivation to compete as well.
Competition not only applies to sports.
When it comes to social status between the sexes, men will encounter a boost in testosterone when they believe they're a winner.
According to one study, it was found that men only have to believe they've bested another man in a competition to attract a woman to get a testosterone boost.
And with that boost, men will feel confident enough to approach other women.
Game Theory, baby.
Believe it or not, we can take this further with clothing and social status. When people purchase apparel from high-end companies like Burberry, it is also a status signal to other men and women alike. This means that apparel can even be used to attract others to you, making you feel like a winner.
Once you see this, you can't unsee it.
To summarize, here are a few things to consider with competition and testosterone levels:
Lastly, remember that competition is everywhere, even if you don't see it.
Go out there and be a winner.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email us at support@reforgedperformance.com or contact us via Instagram. I feel that there is a lot to cover with this that goes beyond testosterone production, so if you want me to cover more of this, I will!
Until next time, Reforged Warrior.
In my own journey towards weight loss, I've experienced the frustration of overcomplicating and restricting my approach.
It was a journey marked by ups and downs, filled with tons of errors along the way!
However, through these struggles, I discovered several sustainable weight loss hacks that have transformed my approach to health and fitness.
These strategies not only helped me shed unwanted pounds but also fostered a healthier relationship with food and exercise.
In this post, let's explore 9 hacks for sustainable weight loss.
Let's dive in!
In the battle against depression, exercise stands as a powerful ally.
Yet, for many, the mere thought of hitting the gym or going for a run can feel daunting.
The key lies in transforming exercise from a chore into a journey.
A place where you not only become physically stronger... but mentally as well.
In this guide, we'll explore actionable strategies to enhance motivation, streamline the exercise process, and cultivate a consistent routine that amplifies its mood-boosting benefits.
Let's dive in!
Did you know that our relationship with food is deeply intertwined with our psychology?
The convenience and allure of processed foods often tap into our psychological triggers, making it challenging to break free from their hold.
However, by understanding our behaviors and implementing strategic psychological practices, we can successfully reduce our reliance on processed foods.
In this blog, we'll explore five behavioral strategies that leverage psychology to foster healthier eating habits.
Let's dive in!