Incel-lingo has been bleeding into mainstream culture ever since wider knowledge of the term skyrocketed in the early 2010s. The term "incel," which stands for "involuntary celibate," has birthed other "cels" which act as stand-ins for any given insecurity a man can face.

From femcel to wordcel to voicecel, here's where the term "gymcel" got its legs.

Where Did The Term 'Gymcel' Originate'?

While the exact origin of the term "gymcel" on the internet is unknown, the term likely emerged from lookism and incel communities on the internet, some of whom thrive in the 4chan /fit/ board.

In 2014, an Urban Dictionary user provided the earliest clear definition of the term "gymcel," saying that such a person is one who is not able to woo women no matter how hard he tries to get buff in the gym.

How Did The Term 'Gymcel' Spread Online?

Use of the term "gymcel" continued to spread on the internet in the latter half of the 2010s, with Redditor /u/wazzuper25 drawing the idea in the form of a Virgin vs. Chad meme. The term continued to gain steam as time went one, with one 4chan user drawing an image saying that the cartoon Johnny Bravo predicted gymcels.

What Are Some Memes About 'Gymcels'?

The term "gymcel" inspired the naming of an Instagram meme page, with @gymcels posting a meme using the term in 2023 alongside the word "gymp." Also in 2023, an iFunny user called internet fitness influencer LeanBeefPatty a gymcel.

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For the full history of the Gymcel, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.