Iran might be known for religious modesty and a conservative dress code, but there was no sign of it at the Asian Men’s Bodybuilding and Athletic Physique Championships held in Tehran this week. Men from Asian and Middle Eastern countries including China, Thailand, Iran, and the U.A.E. flexed, strutted, and tried in vain not to get spray-on bronzer all over their thongs.

In this video the Associated Press made much of the idea that bodybuilding is an all-American activity associated with guys like Arnold Schwarzenegger. (Never mind that he’s Austrian.) But, as you’ll see, body building might actually be the all-Iranian pastime. There are 1,000 bodybuilding centers in Iran alone.

All this getting pumped paid off in the competition, when Iranian Baitollah Abbaspour took the overall championship title. (Iran also won last year in Thailand.)

The head coach of Iran’s team explains what buffness mean in his country:

This is not just an Iranian thing though. The rest of Asia has impressive pecs too. China’s Li Bo was looking mean. And Iraq almost came up from behind and took the crown.

Hamzeh Jabbar of Iraq, Nguyen Van Lam of Vietnam, Somkhit Sumbthowetchakun of Thailand, Jenas Asis Tam of Singapore strike a pose. Photo: Getty

Iran's Ehsan Khajavi took the gold in the men's 55kgs category.

China's Li Bo took the gold in the men's 60kgs category. Photo: Getty

Jiraphan Pongkam of Thailand, Khalid Abdulla Abdulaziz of the U.A.E. and Amnuay Chuangphan of Thailand. Photo: Getty

Najmeddin Abdullah of Iraq took the bronze (and used a lot of bronzer) for the men's 60kgs category.

Iraq's Hamzeh Jabbar is the definition of definition. Photo: Getty

Li Bo shows off his muscles and a little national pride. Photo: Getty

Featured Image: Behind the Scenes: Iran’s Mehdi Heydari gets ready to compete.
Photo: Getty