Beefcake

Beefcake is a slang word for erotic photos or realistic images of any well-muscled, well-built man, in a word play on 'cheesecake', used since 1934 of images of sexy young women. Beefcake is often used to denote male sexual attractiveness stemming from physical build, but is also used by women and men interested in bodybuilding and weight training.

Many professional male bodybuilders advertise their services, offering advice concerning nutrition, training, etc., often marketing their videos in which training programmes are demonstrated.

Since the late 20th century it has become more evident that buyers of such videos are attracted not just by a bodybuilder's mere bulk of muscles, but also by his toned body and sexual appeal. Browsing through a number of bodybuilders' home pages, one occasionally finds videos advertized which are said to include "frontal nudity", "sexually explicit material", etc.

A recent movie of the same name details the history of the Athletic Model Guild, an early company known for their photos of men.