Working Out Improves Sexual Attractivity

Your nose is crooked, your complexion bad, you lack a nice sports car, aren’t a millionaire either and think that is why you lose in the game with the opposite sex? Why don’t you use what nature has intended for you?

Carpe Corpus

Researchers at the Technische Universität Chemnitz in Germany looked at the role fitness performance plays in perceived sexual desirability and in what relation this is to facial attractivity. In their results they found that men who displayed fitter bodies also reported higher mating success, independently of how attractive their faces were.

You don’t even have to strive for the physique of Hulk to have this trait bear fruit: studies repeatedly show (PDF) that women prefer muscular over very muscular men.

Self-fulfilling Prophecy

Another interesting aspect is that people who regularly work out also judge their own attractivity higher.

A study at the University of Arkansas had participants exercise 2 to 3 days per week and then looked at how attractive they judged themselves. Due to being active, 80% of the males and nearly 60% of the females rated themselves as above average or much above average in sexual desirability.

This increased confidence was also communicated to the environment, leading to more successful interactions with the opposite sex.

Evolutionary Traits

The reason why physical fitness plays an important role in mate selection is rather simple: a higher physical health signals better genes. This, in mankind’s long history, has proven important for producing healthy and successful offspring – before today’s modern civilization having the fittest genes was vital to our species’ survival.

Since then traits beyond physical fitness came into play, but our brains haven’t forgotten their ancestral heritage. It’s similar to those old mechanisms that lead us to food choices that in the current environment dont’t make sense.

Just Get Some Dumbbells

If you already are thinking about saving $20,000 for plastic surgery or a fancy car, you may want to first try a used set of dumbbells for $20. You will look better, feel better and have done something for your health. Without spending an insane amount of money.

You may even find that what you considered one of your disadvantages can turn into one of your strengths, as it adds a unique marker to your personality.

Picture courtesy of Chepe Nicoli.