This exactly. Any exercise, especially by a male, outside of being on a sports team is considered “vain, gay, silly, etc.” I’ve worked out intensely since I was a teenager, it’s always been the fat body slobs who can’t do a single pull up who talk the most trash.
It’s gotten a little bit better, but 30 years ago, it was really bad. You are right, some people actually considered it indicative of homosexual leanings!
And one more thing I have observed when I go back to Alabama...I really think a lot of the culture looks at men being overweight as signs of being successful, and living a good life with your family. Almost, like they have inverted what is considered attractive there.