Is climbing sexy?
If you're a woman, according to a study by Quirkology and fitness expert Sam Murphy, then the answer is a resounding YES!
According to the study, 57% of women found climbers to be the most attractive and sexy sportsmen, far outstripping aerobics (9%), golf (13%), and bodybuilding (19%), which came in at the bottom of the sexiness rankings.
Men, however, found women climbers only so-so sexy, with 41% of men feeling climbing is an attractive sport for women. That's the same as hiking. Gotta love those hot women hikers! Men actually thought that aerobics (70%), yoga/pilates (65%), and going to the gym (64%) were the most attractive female sports, while bodybuilding (5%) and rugby (6%) groveled at the bottom of the rankings.
I'm not sure about the study's methodology, where it was conducted, and how random the sampling was, but they used over 6,000 subjects to gather their conclusions. Their analysis of the data reveals that "Women's choices appear to reflect the type of psychological qualities that they find attractive - such as bravery and a willingness to take on challenges--whilst men are more shallow, looking for a woman who is physically fit but not challenging their ego by being overly strong."
That makes me wonder: Are a lot of men afraid of women who are good climbers? Women who might climb better than they do? Are men really that shallow? Hmmmmm, hard to say. It seems that there are a lot of men out there what want to climb with a woman as their regular partner, but they want to lead all the pitches and take care of the little lady on the rocks. Maybe women find that sexy. What do you think?
Photograph above: Lauri Striker cranks on Cactus Cliff at Shelf Road in Colorado. Are women climbers sexy and strong? I say yes! Photograph © Stewart M. Green
Comments
Hey Stewart–We your friends here at Falcon Guides totally side with you on the question of whether women climbers are sexy. Uhm, yeah, they are. And we’ve got compelling visual evidence to prove it–our new 2011 Women Climbers Calendar! Tell your readers they see for themselves at the web page, http://www.womenclimbers.com, and join our fan page at:
http://www.facebook.com/womenclimbers.
I look forward to seeing you at OR this week. Note to Stewart’s friends and fans, if you haven’t heard: Stewart and his son Ian will be signing their new book, Knack Rock Climbing, at the Falcon booth, #33035, on Weds, Aug 4, at 3 PM. Come on by for a free autographed copy. Then swing by the Rock & Ice “Climbing Zone” (booth #2033) on Thurs at 3 PM to meet the women of the Women Climbers Calendar–and then tell us if you’re still undecided whether or not women climbers are good lookin’!
Interesting study! I expect that us men are afraid of being ’shown up’ or ‘out classed’ on the rock by a woman!
Colin
Mount Everest The British Story
The sexiest sport is sex.. climbing is more like acrobatics. Sure it can be related to action, but it has nothing to do with softness or letting go, which is all about sex…
The most dangerous sex is performed with the safest person… ♥ .. so it’ s all a paradox.. Actually I understand we talk about sex here, not love, which is another dimension.. but what did u mean Art?
And, for a woman’s perspective… the post that first drew attention to this study in climbing circles…
Rock Climbing: The Sexiest Sport, on RockClimberGirl.com
Thanks for keeping the conversation going, Stewart!