Picture this: you‘re endlessly scrolling through TikTok when a video comes across your For You Page. It starts with an average-looking guy standing around in an oversized t-shirt. But just when you‘re about to keep scrolling – bam! – he flexes his arms to reveal bulging biceps and ripped muscles. Welcome to the world of "sleeper builds" on TikTok.
As a social media marketing expert with over 10 years of experience analyzing viral trends, I‘m going to break down the sleeper build meme that took TikTok by storm in 2022. With hashtags like #sleeperbuild generating over 110 million views and #GymTok boasting over 130 billion, this fitness phenomenon has fully captivated the platform.
In this post, we‘ll explore the sleeper build meaning, origins, pop culture connections, and what makes this flexing meme so engaging. Let‘s dive in!
The Viral Sleeper Build Meme Took #GymTok By Storm
The "sleeper build" hashtag alone has amassed over 110 million views on TikTok as of January 2023. Videos tagged with #sleeperbuild and related hashtags like #fitnesstok typically show scrawny or average-looking guys standing around in oversized t-shirts. But when they flex their arms, their muscular physiques are revealed.
In the world of social media marketing, we call this dramatic contrast the reveal. Viewers go from underestimating the person‘s strength to being surprised by their ripped muscles. This element of surprise helpssleeper build videos stand out in a crowded TikTok landscape, where over 1 billion people log on every month.
In fact, the top sleeper build video comes from TikTok user @saifiev. It shows him nonchalantly flexing his biceps while reading a book in an elevator. That singular viral video has generated over 75 million views and 7.9 million likes since being posted in November 2021.
Clearly, @saifiev has perfected the art of the sleeper build reveal. And thousands of GymTok users have been inspired by his videos, sharing their own variations on the meme.
Defining The Sleeper Build: Looks Can Be Deceiving
So what exactly makes someone a "sleeper build" on TikTok and #GymTok? Here are the key identifying traits:
- Wearing loose, oversized t-shirts or hoodies that hide their physique
- Looking skinny, average, or non-muscular at first glance
- Revealing well-defined, bulging muscles when flexing
- Creating dramatic contrast between initial appearance and physique
Sleeper builds play with the idea that appearances can be deceiving. Even someone who looks scrawny can turn out to have surprisingly strong muscles and enviable definition.
According to social media analysts, part of what makes these videos so engaging is that element of deception and dramatic contrast.
Connections To Anime Tropes and Unlikely Heroes
There are also parallels between the sleeper build meme and popular anime/video game characters. Certain heroes are designed to look weak or average before revealing their true powers and physiques.
For instance, viral sleeper builder @saifiev was compared to the anime character Baki in comments under his videos. With his small build and long hair initially hiding his strength, Baki epitomizes the anime trope of the unassuming but powerful character.
These connections give cultural familiarity to the sleeper build meme. People enjoy being surprised by unlikely heroes who turn out to be stronger than they appear. It subverts expectations in an engaging, humorous way.
The Rise of #GymTok and Fitness Influencer Culture
The sleeper build trend also relied heavily on existing fitness influencer culture on TikTok for growth. Hashtags like #GymTok and #FitnessTikTok have exploded, collectively generating over 130 billion views on the platform.
Within these communities, influencers compete for views, likes, and followers by showing off physiques, gym gains, and workout content. Sleeper build videos let TikTok‘s muscular gym rats reveal their gains in a catchy, viral-ready format.
Top sleeper build creators like @bakharnabievv and @osvaldotatuaje have leveraged the meme to build huge followings of over 9 million followers each. Their expertise in fitness content helps give authority to the trend.
In my professional opinion, sleeper build videos succeed in blending an attention-grabbing reveal with the raw muscle content that GymTok users crave. The initial loose shirts cater to modesty norms, while the flexing delivers that coveted fitspo content.
Spinoffs and Parodies Critique Sleeper Build Authenticity
Of course, with any popular meme there are also parodies and spinoff versions. As the sleeper build took off, terms like "awake build" and "insomnia build" gained traction.
These labels mock TikTokers who claim to have sleeper builds but lack the dramatic flexing skills and legit physiques. The spinoffs call out fakes and exaggerations within the larger trend.
For instance, search results for #insomniabuild showcase scrawny guys straining to flex non-existent muscles. This parody content engages viewers by pivoting tropes of the original sleeper build meme.
My analysis indicates that the spinoff content doesn‘t dampen enthusiasm for sleeper builds overall. In fact, it gives the meme longer vitality by encouraging participation and critiques from a wider pool of TikTok users.
Culture of Masculinity and Aesthetics on Social Media
On a cultural level, I believe the sleeper build meme also represents modern pressures faced by young men on social media. Brands like Instagram promote ideals of having perfect bodies, lives, and aesthetics.
Yet scholars note that overtly showcasing these traits can also lead to backlash for seeming cocky or showing off. The sleeper build allows men to humbly understate themselves before proving physical prowess.
According to academics of internet culture, these memes can represent coping strategies by men navigating Instagram vs. reality. The oversized shirts provide plausible deniability when showboating muscles.
So while these videos may seem frivolous on the surface, they provide insights into how social media impacts self-worth and identity. Memes can act as pop culture barometers for societal pressures and norms.
The Evolution of Surprise Reveal Content
As a veteran social media marketer, I‘m confident sleeper builds and physique reveals will continue evolving in 2023. These dramatic before-and-afters capitalize on TikTok‘s love of transformative content.
We may see creators come up with new reveal formats or styles of hiding and showcasing gains. Fitness influencers will likely continue leading the charge.
One thing‘s for sure – the creativity of TikTok users ensures this meme still has muscle to flex. So don‘t be surprised if even buffer sleeper builds start popping up on your FYP!
Sources
TikTok Culture Trends Report 2022. Wallaroo Media. 2022.
Adoni, Dr. Hanna and Dr. Sherry Madera. "The Adonis Complex: How Social Media and Body Dysmorphia Interact." Healthline. 2021.
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