[Der_Einzige]

Go into most gyms and it’s the opposite phenomenon. Men know that some types of physical activity (weight lifting) actually get them laid and others (I.e running) are the equivalent of what food does to get away from predators. The men who get good at that type of physical activity tend to be treated like the food is.

[gamblor956]

There are plenty of women who prefer guys with runners' physiques over guys with muscular physiques.

There was a dating website now-owned by Match Group that did a study years ago (pre-acquisition) that showed that college-educated women preferred guys with runners' physiques by a lot over guys with weight-lifters' physiques, and women without college degrees preferred muscular men by a lot over skinnier guys. In both cases, it wasn't even close. Unfortunately this study was taken down after they got acquired or I would link to it.

others (I.e running) are the equivalent of what food does to get away from predators

Running is how predators in nature catch most of their prey. Strength is not relevant until after they've caught their prey.

[ianburrell]

It was OkCupid that posted lots of data analysis posts before being acquired.

[saagarjha]

Guys is it gay to run

[hooverd]

There's nothing straighter than being being around sweaty shirtless men with big bulging muscles.

[hooverd]

Women don't like men who do cardio?

[bradlys]

Women like men who look good. Men who lift weights usually look more attractive than someone who has a “runners” body. (Skinny and not muscular) Some runners will look jacked but that’s probably due to steroids and/or weightlifting. Running alone doesn’t give one bulging biceps or a large chest.

[hooverd]

Men describing what they think women want physically usually reads like someone describing a Tom of Finland drawing. I agree that people generally prefer a physically fit partner.

[bradlys]

Are you really going to say that most women yearn for a man who has a body that looks like Kipchoge?

[christianqchung]

Probably <1% of American men look like Kipchoge. The average runner is just going to be healthier than the average American, not jacked to the point of uncanniness. This is also true for weightlifters.

[bradlys]

My point stands. Someone who is not on steroids and is closer in looks to Sam Sulek than Kipchoge will have more success. There’s enough studies out there on this that I shouldn’t have to even be saying this.

Most women like strong looking men and not flyweights.