Research has identified the most ‘appealing sports’ and those considered ‘the least attractive,’ with some newer trends taking a hit.
As someone who considers themselves far from athletic, I reluctantly drag myself to the gym and occasionally join a friend for a run, mainly to keep my mind from wandering too much.
What bothers me the most when I see others pushing through their workouts? Seeing them look good while doing it.
In my opinion, no one should look polished while exercising. The goal is to sweat and move your body, not to appear flawless. Looking good while doing it just adds insult to injury for people like me.
Nevertheless, people are now joining running clubs to meet potential partners. But which sport do singles find most attractive, and should you feature it on your dating profile? A study has already done the research for you.
Earlier this year, a study by Geezers Boxing analyzed which sports individuals find attractive or not… and the findings might surprise you.
The research examined a list of 35 sports, including padel, basketball, Hyrox, football, boxing, and swimming.
By scouring the internet, it utilized data from sources such as Reddit discussions, search trends, fan-fiction quantity, and global audience numbers to rank them from most to least attractive.
So, which sport took the top spot?
Basketball enthusiasts can celebrate, as their sport ranked first among ‘the sexiest sports’.
Following basketball were NFL American Football, ice hockey, rugby, and football, which rounded out the top five.
But which sports were considered the ‘biggest turn-offs’?
Padel enthusiasts, be ready to set aside your racquets. And a large number of you might be surprised to see the unexpected entry at number four.
Padel topped the list of the least attractive sports to feature on a dating profile.
Triathlon followed in second place, wild swimming was third, and Hyrox surprisingly secured the fourth position.
Leon Bolmeer, Personal Trainer and Director of Geezers Boxing, commented on the results, noting that ‘some sports are great for fitness but don’t necessarily signal attraction’.
When it comes to padel and Hyrox, while they may be ‘efficient and accessible,’ they risk being perceived as ‘performative or overly structured in dating contexts’.
He further explained: “Sports that score highest tend to showcase full-body athleticism, competitive intensity, and personality. These are things people instinctively find attractive, even if they don’t follow the sport closely.”
Looks like I might have to consider taking up basketball.