A Reddit post called the picture "red fash". I admit that it is controversial, since one may read it as mocking peaceful people who are not muscular, but on the other hand I think it is worthwhile to promote physical strength equally with mental strength and class consciousness. I bet that Specnaz, the special forces of USSR, were not formed from physically weak people. Maybe the picture is seen as a struggle between ideas of the "new left" and AES. What are your thoughts?
As far as we often use that picture as a meme, it seems those weren't even average gym teachers. If you search for the Soviet athletes, you will notice that while all of them look fit and healthy, most are nowhere near those muscles. Also there was some weird trend of shaving heads in 30's and 40's apparently.
That's because the peak Soviet man was bald, had badass facial hair, and dunked on Kautsky.
Ohhh right.