Does having more muscle make you more attractive? It’s a common question, and a primary motivator for many people to start lifting weights. But is all that time in the gym actually worth it when it comes to attracting a partner? To find out, I surveyed 50,000 people, asking them if they believed “more plates equals more dates”. The responses were mixed, with some emphasizing personality over physical strength, while others found strength appealing.
I asked participants to select their own body type and the body type they found most attractive, using a chart depicting various levels of muscle mass and body fat. The results were surprising, prompting further investigation. I posed additional questions about the influence of bench press strength and muscle mass on dating prospects. The survey also explored the relationship between leanness and happiness in relationships.
The survey revealed that increased muscle mass could indeed correlate with more romantic partners, and a higher bench press might also contribute to romantic success. However, certain factors significantly detract from attractiveness, with one in particular potentially hindering long-term relationship prospects. This article will explore the level of muscularity women find most appealing, whether a six-pack truly translates to more romantic partners, and reveal the single most crucial factor for a happy, lasting relationship.
Let’s start with the bench press. Does a heavier lift really equal more dates? Data from the survey showed that most men could bench press around two plates per side as a one-rep max, considered intermediate strength. Only a small percentage achieved three or four plates.
Comparing bench press strength to the number of lifetime intimate partners revealed a positive correlation. Men who benched over four plates had the highest average number of partners. This could be attributed to the perceived attractiveness of stronger men by heterosexual women, supported by existing research. The significant jump in partners for four-plate benchers might be linked to steroid use, which can increase libido. Age may also play a role, though the survey’s demographic primarily fell within the 18-34 age range.
The next question was about body type. Did having a six-pack contribute to attractiveness, or did men with higher body fat receive more attention? Men were asked to select their body fat level, ranging from shredded to overweight, and report their number of lifetime partners. Surprisingly, body fat had no discernible impact on the number of partners.
However, when romantic satisfaction was considered, a different picture emerged. Body fat did appear to predict romantic satisfaction, with individuals possessing higher body fat also reporting the most romantic dissatisfaction. This held true for both men and women.
Next, we examined the influence of muscle mass on romantic life. The data showed a positive correlation between muscularity and the number of intimate partners for both men and women. However, the more important question is whether increased muscle mass increases the likelihood of being in a relationship.
The survey showed that individuals with less muscle were less likely to be in a relationship, while those with more muscle had a higher likelihood. Gaining muscle could potentially increase the chances of being in a relationship by approximately 20%. Even reaching a moderate level of muscularity appeared to have a positive impact. It’s important to note that these are correlations, not causal relationships. Increased confidence resulting from muscle gain could be a contributing factor.
To determine the most attractive body type, women were directly asked which physique they preferred. The results were striking. The most attractive physique was a level three on the muscularity scale, with over 41% of women selecting this option. Only 10% found the highest level of muscularity most attractive. This suggests that a moderate level of muscle, achievable naturally, is preferred by many women.
Interestingly, men’s goals for their own physique differed from women’s preferences. Most men desired a level four muscularity, with level five not far behind. This highlights a discrepancy between what men strive for and what women find most appealing.
Finally, I investigated the most influential factor in dating success. While bench press strength showed a strong correlation with dating parameters, I suspected other factors might be more significant. Research revealed that strength and muscularity were the most strongly linked physical traits to mating success, but these traits, along with height, voice pitch, facial masculinity, testosterone levels, and digit ratio, only accounted for a small percentage of variance in mating outcomes.
This suggests that non-physical factors play a much larger role in romantic success. Kindness is consistently rated as a highly attractive quality. Studies have shown that kindness and intelligence are often ranked as more important than physical attractiveness. Being mean or a bully is consistently ranked as highly unattractive.
While physical attributes do matter, factors like grooming, hygiene, hairstyle, and dressing style are more controllable. Being a kind, well-rounded person is arguably even more important for long-term romantic success.
