Readers Respond: Do You Prefer Muscled-Up Women?

Michelle Obama has been getting attention lately for reasons other than politics. Her regular workouts and the toned shape of her arms has lead to positive and negative comments in the celebrity media. Which body shape do you prefer - a fit, buff looking Michelle Obama or a leaner, yet obviously still popular, Keira Knightly?

Be fair, it's not a political poll or a celebrity poll. (You might like to indicate if you're male or female.)

I choose skinny

Muscle can make a woman look fat. There is really nothing I can see that is special about Ms. Obama's arms.

—Guest Deb

I LOVE Muscl and buff

I love that women have muscle and I like when they can show them off. Women with muscle ARE SEXY AS HELL. And I would Love to have a buff women in my life.!!!!!

—Guest darryl

no.

absolutely not, i like a tight bodied woman, not flabby, not jacked. nuff said.

—Guest jackshow joe

toned look better

Michelle Obama looks great bcoz she looks fit,toned and healthy.

—Guest tammy

"Being thin doest mean Im in shape"

I would pick Michelle Obama hands down. To have two parents who are healthy and active in working out. We can live life by their example.

—Guest running4fun

Michelle Obama's Arms

I'm dumbfounded as to how a woman with such poor posture, a very un-athletic appearance has gotten so much attention over constantly wearing sleevless clothing? I just don't get it.

—Guest houndrnr

compare age to age

Let's compare Michelle's arms to someone her age, not a 24 year old.

—Guest mary

Obama Vs Knightly

Nothing against Knightly - but I'd prefer my arms look tone and in shape and not as if I'm anorexic.

—Guest Buckster

They both look good.

I didn't vote because this is a silly debate. Knightly's arms go with the rest of her body. Same thing for Obama, although when I looked at the photos the contrast wasn't as great as I'd remembered. All the talk about Obama's arms primed me to expect the arms of a weight lifter. But I guess any issue that highlights strength training for women is helpful.

—Guest Reader

Let's hear it for the arms!

Let's hear it for healthy muscle! Study after study says the unfit-but-thin folks are as unhealthy as the obese - and less healthy than the physically active obese. Mrs. Obama is being a great role model for other women - go go Michelle! And, btw, I didn't vote for her husband, so it isn't that. I don't think much of anorexics who lack any muscle, and I cheer women who have a healthy amount of muscle.

—Guest wb

Go, Michelle!

I'd love to know her workout. Her arms look great. And I think she's proud of the way they look, because she wears sleeveless fashions a lot. So would I, if my arms were as great as hers.

—diabetes101

I love Michelle's arms!

What I like about Mrs. Obama's arms is that they are toned without being over-muscled, bigger without being flabby - beautiful and strong.

—Guest Barb

I Wouldn't Call Her "Muscled Up"

I chose Michelle Obama because I think she looks fit, healthy, and "normal", whatever that is. I definitely wouldn't call her look "muscled up", as that conjures up a female body builder-type image for me (not that there's anything wrong with that).

—Guest NatalieKita

Obama arms hands down

When I get in a canoe with a woman I want her to pull her weight. Nothing is more of a turn off for me than a woman who is too weak to keep up with me. I like physically strong women and if that means they have some shape to their arms so much the better. Who is it that thinks a woman with [skinny] arms (or legs for that matter) is attractive or sexy? Brother!

—Guest Bryan