By: Natasha Archary
Chiseled torsos, ripped pecs and that “V” that some men have, has for a long time been linked to a man’s sex appeal.
Do six-packs hold the same attraction for women as shapely posteriors have held for men since the beginning of time?
Sculpted abs are often said to be a reflection of overall health but this is debatable amongst health experts.
Experts weigh in
Male health experts calculate that a man has to get down to about 10% of body fat in order for his abs to start peeking out.
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) released a guideline on essential fat and suggests that men should retain between 2 to 5% of fat. This is tough on the body.
Dropping below the 10% body fat ratio can put undue strain on your body.
Six-packs don’t necessarily mean you’re a lean, mean, fit machine.
A rigorous training programme aside, abs are made in the kitchen and pursuing a six-pack requires cutting out almost all foods. It means hours spent on workouts and meal preps.
Vanity metric
Remember the time when lean legs and a slender waist were considered appealing to men?
Thank goodness women embraced their curves because it freed the thick thighs, big busts and curvy rear for every women who did not fit into the size zero mould.
Equally abs are losing sex appeal with women.
It’s great to look at and run your hands over but what else?
Many confuse a six-pack with sex appeal. Granted appearances drive most of our decisions, especially around attraction. We associate happiness with how our bodies look.
Measuring physical attraction according to this vanity metric.
Would you still be interested in a man if he were ripped for days but had the personality of a doorknob?
In a survey of heterosexual women, from different age groups, only 2% of the 2000 odd respondents cited visible abs as a must-have with men they would consider dating.
27% said they didn’t care and rated a personality and a smile that was “to die for” as the top traits in a potential partner.
Sex appeal
Is a man’s sex appeal centred around his core?
Not according to most women surveyed.
Women prefer a man who can hold a conversation and one who has a sense of humour.
Finding intellectual stimulation or a connection to be more of a turn-on than abs. While a six-pack could get you noticed, most women prefer a man who doesn’t look like his abs have been airbrushed.
However sex appeal, like attraction is subjective.
The important thing is whether a six-pack defines you, as a man of the millennium.
Does it build your confidence, make you feel better about your self-image, give you a sense of pride? Because if it does, then go for it.
Just know, it’s not going to be enough to keep your partner’s interest in the bedroom.
