In any gym, there’s always that guy who claims to have lifted mountains of plates for reps. You aren’t the only one wondering if there’s a little exaggeration involved. Consider the findings of a study published in the journal Ethnicity & Disease that suggests survey-taking Americans like to shave a couple of pounds off their true weight and over-report their height. This is true for both men and women.

Researchers analyzed data from 2,672 men and 2,671 women who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2007 and 2008. Because it included both self-reported data and actual weight and height measurements, scientists were able to calculate the discrepancies.

True Strength Moment: While the under-reporting bias was considered small, within the range of a single BMI (body mass index) unit, the desire for a lean look is universal. Who doesn’t want to look better or lift more? The fact is anyone can if they’re willing to put in the work.