If you’ve ever been curious, researchers say there might be a clue
Let’s be honest—you probably haven’t spent much of your day wondering how many people your coworkers or friends have slept with.
But for those who do get curious, there’s a new study out there that might offer a little insight.
Unless you’re signing up for a dating reality show like Love Island or Too Hot to Handle—where people proudly drop their body counts like it’s a competition—most of us aren’t exactly bringing that up in casual conversation at work or while waiting in line for coffee.
Still, if you’re dying to know, researchers at Washington State University have pinpointed a physical trait that might give you a clue.
And it turns out, it has everything to do with how often someone hits the gym.
In a study involving 4,300 people, researchers discovered that upper body strength was linked to the number of sexual partners someone had throughout their life.
A new study has revealed a simple way to gauge how high a person’s body count it, not that it matters
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The results applied across genders and revealed that more muscle mass, especially in the upper body tended to be associated with a higher number of partners. Yes, seriously.
An excerpt from the study reads: “We found a main effect of strength on mating success proxied by lifetime number of sexual partners and current partnered status.”
The team behind the research believes this connection may be rooted in evolutionary biology. Historically, humans were more likely to choose strong partners who could help with survival tasks like hunting and protecting the group.
Of course, like most studies, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. That guy with the massive biceps might be too focused on his protein intake and workout schedule to spend much time dating.
Meanwhile, someone who isn’t glued to their fitness tracker might have more time to go on dates, meet new people, and build romantic connections.
This new research follows earlier studies that looked at what people consider the ‘ideal’ number of partners to have over a lifetime.
Gym goers will of course be ecstatic to read this
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According to findings published in Social Psychological and Personality Science, the so-called ‘ideal’ number of sexual partners is four to five for men and two to three for women. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also released data showing that, on average, women have 4.3 sexual partners over their lifetime.
For men, the number is a little higher, averaging out at 6.3 partners across their lives.
But at the end of the day, no study or chart should define your personal life. What feels right for you is what truly matters, not what a research paper or social expectation says is “ideal.”