Pecs or Man Boobs? Does Bodybuilding Get Rid of Gynecomastia?

You may be surprised to know that many of our prospective gynecomastia patients are bodybuilders. You’re probably thinking that all the exercises bodybuilders use to create an extremely muscled physique would help tone the pectoral (chest) muscles and reduce the appearance of gynecomastia.

Surprisingly, this is simply not the case. Gynecomastia is actually quite common in bodybuilders. Why?

Exercise cannot reduce the glandular aspects of gynecomastia

Why would a man as fit as a bodybuilder have a problem with getting rid of man boobs? This occurs because true gynecomastia does not stem from being overweight. Therefore, it simply cannot be cured through exercise. In fact, bodybuilding and other exercise that builds up the pectoral muscles can make a person’s gynecomastia even more noticeable as they progress with muscle development and growth. This is because gynecomastia presents through larger than normal breast glands and excess breast fat. Thus, when exercise raises the chest muscles the breast glands and excess fat stand out as well. Since the glands themselves must be removed in order to see true resolution to this condition, gynecomastia surgery is the only permanent, effective option for male breast reduction.