Science of the Muscle Man Factor
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The stereotypical muscle men are much more likely to attract the babes and have short-term affairs and multiple sex partners than their less than brawny peers, according to new UCLA research. Photo Southside Canuck
“Most research is focused on what men find physically attractive in women and the career traits women find attractive in men.” said David Frederick, lead author and a UCLA doctoral candidate in psychology. “Much less research is devoted to what women find attractive.”
He said prior studies concluded a man’s desirability was influenced more by his earning potential and commitment. His study found physical characteristics mattered more.
“If you’re trying to figure out why men — especially young men — spend so much time at the gym, here’s your answer. The stereotype is that men work out to compete with each other, but our research suggests that pumping iron is a way for men to enhance their attractiveness to women.”
The 4-year study — by Frederick and co-author Martie Haselton — is the first published research that quantifies an association between men’s muscularity and their success in the sack. It also scientifically quantified for the first time women’s perceptions of the importance of muscularity in selecting short- and long-term partners, reports Physorg.
“A lot of mate-selection research focuses on what men find attractive.” Haselton said. “This shows women are putting a premium on attractiveness. Women care about muscularity when they choose sex partners.”
Frederick and Haselton lead a team that photographed 99 male undergraduates. A panel of independent judges rated the young men on a nine-point scale, with ’1′ being much less muscular than average and ’9′ being much more muscular than average. The researchers then asked the men about their sexual histories.
Young men who were more muscular than average were twice as likely to have had more than three sex partners in their lives as less-built types.
Frederick and Haselton asked 120 undergraduate males in a separate study to 
rate their own physiques on the same scale and then asked them about their sexual histories.
The muscular men had not only had more sexual partners than their less burly peers, but they were twice as likely to have had brief flings or one-night stands with women. They also reported having had an average of four partners, compared with an average of 1.5 partners for men with average or below-average muscularity. How does one have a half of a partner I ask you? (sarcastic humor)
Their study, published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, say their findings on muscularity are consistent with sexual characteristics of other animals, akin to elaborate tail feathers in male peacocks — they attract females looking for a virile mate.
“Everybody knows that testosterone is a hormone 
that promotes strength in men, but less well-known is the fact that the hormone is also associated with poorer immune system functioning.” Frederick said. “Secondary sexual characteristics are thought to have evolved as indicators of mate quality because they demonstrate an ability to flourish in the face of what’s really a drag on the system. Males in good enough shape to withstand the deleterious effects of immunosuppression have to be especially fit and are therefore more likely to transmit fitness to their offspring than less well-endowed males.”
“Evolutionary scientists have long maintained that exaggerated secondary sexual characteristics — such as large muscles in men — are cues to genes that increase the viability of offspring or their reproductive success.” Haselton said. “In an age when medical advancements play such a large role in the survival and health of children and so many people use contraceptives, it’s not clear whether these genes continue to offer reproductive benefits. But women today are still attracted to muscular men, just as their ancestors would have been, because that’s how we’ve evolved.” Photo top Alexanderphotographic, center JWSutherland, bottom Explortise
However, women in the study seemed to be on to muscular men. When presented with six standardized silhouettes of men ranging from brawny to slender, 141 undergraduate women consistently identified the most muscular ones as not only less likely to commit but also more volatile and domineering. They rated ‘toned’ guys — the physical type two notches down from ‘brawny’ — as the most sexually attractive.
“Moderate muscularity demonstrates that men are in good condition, but they’re not so overloaded with testosterone that they are volatile, aggressive and dominant.” Frederick said. “Just based on their experiences, women seem to be able to weigh good and bad male traits.”
But for those less endowed, do not despair. In a study of 82 college coeds, most women reported that their short-term partners were more muscular than their long-term ones. They characterized their long-term — and less muscular — partners as more trustworthy and romantic than their one-night stands or brief affairs.
“On the one hand, it makes them more sexy to women. On the other hand, it makes women more suspicious about their romantic intentions.” Frederick said.
“This suggests that the sweet-guy approach works better for less muscular men.” Frederick said. “The muscular men don’t need to put in this kind of effort, especially for a short-term relationship.”
Related stories:
Science of the Smell Factor
Science of the Ewww Factor
Research Proves Men Talk as Much as Women
Study Finds Men Not So Naughty – Women Not So Noble
The Face – Not the Body – Attracts a Mate
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Wow its raining men over in this camp lol my man’s pretty muscular too.
Morning Deborah still feelin the effects of YESTERDAY and deadbeat tired talk to you so I’m taillights
christina
I remember when I first began working out with weights, when I was 14 and, yeah, I was thinking about girls–a lot.
After reading about this study, I guess I’ll continue doing those sit-ups and stretches and leg-lifts, about all I have time for.
–Mike
Hope all went well Christina, I’ll be in touch.
Mike, it all depends what your goals are, for short term or long term relationships. If the latter, you’ll be doing all that you need to
Hey Deb… I am glad you posted this… visuals are usually pretty good motivator and i just did 3 miles at the gym
To write the same topic/day is do really hard bro, I’ve tried it. The first time I am blogging, I just thinking about money that I could earn. However, now, I’ve changed my mind. Blogging is not only about money, blogging is for fun, network, friendship, actualization, my shouting portal. Blogging can lead me to a place where people are free for spreading their knowledge. You don’t seeems like lack of idea… Hey, nice picture there, the man with great shape
Wow, 3 miles Pearl? You’re putting me to shame, haha! I’ve excercised my fingers on my keyboard today. Does that count?
Yes Suray, it does take a lot of work to post daily, but you’ll be rewarded by providing something of value to your readers with their return visits.
Very happy to hear that you’ve learned what blogging is really about
Muscles are for dudes who don’t have the skills to pull the ladies in the first place. Ladies are more attracted to a guy with a great personality, whose somewhat comedic and who knows how to treat her. Trust me, muscles never came up when it was time to get the girl.
I only workout now for health reasons. If all he’s got is muscles, he’ll still lose out.
When I was a very young woman, working out at the gym was not a big part of our culture. In fact, muscular men looked a little freaky and superficial. I have found that men who aren’t afraid to show their feminine side often understand women better and, therefore, “score” better when they want to.
My opinion is that this study is influenced by how the media portrays what is attractive. And maybe the age of the participants effects the outcome.
Interesting blog. Thanks.
I’m all in for that Rich! I’ll take a man with a sense of humor that treats me well over one with a bodacious bod any day.
So true Marsha. And when I was young there were never the fitness ads and infomercials that we have today trying to sell you something for fitness. All of the people in the studies were very young in college.
I think our interests and desires change a lot once we begin to grow older and realize that the physical side isn’t what makes us happy, it’s the mental aspect.
oh my god
it make me crazy,they are good looking.
i will make me more strong
oh sure I am with you on that one Deb.. sense of humor and how they treat you always takes over those six packs any day ..
oh Deb, I don’t do those 3 miles every day
and this post came right on time so I had to just boast.. thats all 
stop by and say a hi when you get a chance…
tc
John all anyone ever needs is to be tone, you don’t need those big muscles to attract the babes
Too funny Pearl, I took you literally
Will do! Hope the switchover is going smoothly for you.
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I have to agree that men with muscles won’t have long term relationships. That is some good research and enjoyed reading it.
Of course women like more muscular men. And of course they are going to be able to get more women then a guy that doesnt care about himself. Like I wouldnt go for a girl that doesnt look after herself? Of course I want a girl that has a nice body, why wouldnt women want the same thing.
The guys in the photos look alright, but I reckon guys like this is ugly http://www.musclemass.com.au
Interesting post. Thanks for sharing. Inspiring for men to build muscles.
like animal
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