Better cyclists are more attractive, study finds (2024)

If you're good at endurance sports there's a decent chance you're a good looker too - that's the suggestion of an in-depth study into the attractiveness of Tour de France riders.

The study by Swiss evolutionary biologist Dr Erik Postma of the University of Zurich investigated how attractive 80 Tour riders were to a group of more than 800 people, 75 percent of which were female.

Postma's study found that the eight riders who performed best in the prologue, time trials and general classification scored around 25 percent higher in the looks department than the eight worst performers, reports the New York Times.

The study suggested that in humans' evolutionary past an attractive face signalled good endurance – and that was a crucial quality in a male because it meant they were better at hunting down prey to feed the family.

Postma's study - A relationship between attractiveness and performance in professional cyclists - was based on portraits of 80 riders from the 2012 Tour de France. All the photos were shot in a similar style and were shown in a random order to the study group, who didn't know where the rider had finished – any rider they did recognise was disregarded.

Postma even went to the extent of investigating more about his study group. He found that older raters – the average ages was 32 – generally marked riders up and younger members marked more harshly. Women who weren't using a hormonal contraceptive also marked riders higher.

The study group was also asked to mark riders based on perceived masculinity, a signal of their strength, but found that it didn't correlate with attractiveness.

Postma's conclusion: "You might think masculinity would be attractive — it signals testosterone, how strong you are.

"But if you try to hunt a gazelle, it might not be so important that you are strong enough to knock it out because it will run away. If you have the endurance to run after it, it might be more beneficial."

And the best looking rider out of the 2012 crop? Because the study only drew on averages the best looking rider turned out to be Amaël Moinard of BMC, an outlier who actually wasn't one of the top performing riders in the race.

Here's a big photo of him:

Better cyclists are more attractive, study finds (3)
Better cyclists are more attractive, study finds (2024)

FAQs

Are cyclists more attractive? ›

They're extremely attractive

According to an interview with LiveScience, Postma found that cyclists who excelled in the Tour de France were generally seen as being more attractive than the other athletes.

Does cycling make you look better? ›

Yes, cycling can build leg muscle because it targets hamstrings, glutes, quads and calves. This makes sense because the legs are doing most of the work. Building leg muscle away from the bike will also help support a robust cycling routine.

Are people who bike to work happier? ›

Mental Health

Cycling releases endorphins, the hormones that promote happiness, reduce stress, and improve mental clarity. Regular bike commutes have mental health benefits, positively impacting your overall well-being and reducing the risk of mental health issues.

Who are the happiest commuters? ›

A new University of Auckland study reveals that reliability, sensory stimulation, feelgood factor and social interaction are why cyclists are the happiest commuters.

Why are cyclists so muscular? ›

Another difference is that the peak forces in cycling are likely much higher than when running, especially when running on the flat. The need to produce high peak torques simply means that having more muscle mass is beneficial. More muscle mass normally equates to being able to more torque and power.

Does biking give you a nice bum? ›

Cycling works your legs and glutes, especially when you're climbing, but it doesn't stretch enough or provide enough resistance to build big muscles. In general, cardiovascular activity like cycling will burn fat around your glutes better than making your butt bigger.

Which body parts are toned by cycling? ›

Cycling is great for toning the lower body, particularly the legs. The hamstrings and quadriceps are two of the most targeted muscles during a cycling workout, as they play a huge role in pedalling. The hamstrings are positioned at the back of your thighs (the posterior) and are involved during the upstroke motion.

Why do cyclists look younger? ›

Reason #1: You'll look younger

Payne explains this phenomenon: “Increased circulation through exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to skin cells more effectively, while flushing harmful toxins out." Just make sure to remember your sunscreen!

What body shape does cycling give you? ›

It's evident that cycling puts the leg muscles to work - but that doesn't necessarily mean you'll gain tree trunk pins from pedalling alone. "It's a leg dominant sport, so you can expect to see your legs gain definition, but training doesn't necessarily attribute itself to size in a huge magnitude.

What is a downside of Biking to work? ›

In practice, though, there are a few common issues that stop people from riding to work. We often hear people say that their workplace is too far away, that their commute isn't safe, that their bike isn't secure, that they don't want to arrive at work drenched in sweat, or that it's simply too much effort.

Is cycling becoming less popular? ›

The proportion of adults in England who say they cycle at least once a month has fallen to 13.1%, the lowest figure since records began in 2015-16.

Why do people like cycling so much? ›

Bicycling is a stress reliever: Bicycling is a great way to reduce stress and clear your mind. The fresh air, exercise, and scenery can help you forget about your worries and enjoy the moment. It's just plain fun: Last but not least, bicycling is just plain fun!

Which US city has the happiest people? ›

Fremont, California

And there you have it. Fremont was named the happiest city in America. Among its plusses: It has the highest share of households with an income above $75,000, at 80%, according to WalletHub. The people in Fremont tend to have high rates of life satisfaction, low depression rates and more.

Why is cycling so happy? ›

Cycling Increases Serotonin Levels

They trigger us to feel pain and to experience feelings of happiness, among so many other remarkable things. It's the neurotransmitters in your brain that trigger you to feel different emotions and one of these neurotransmitters that affect your mood is called serotonin.

What US state has the happiest residents? ›

Utah is the happiest state in America

Utah ranked as the happiest state in the U.S., according to the 2023 WalletHub. According to the WalletHub report, Utah had the highest volunteer rate, with 40.7%, 2.6 times higher than Florida, with the lowest volunteer rate.

Does cycling improve body shape? ›

Absolutely! Cycling is a fantastic cardiovascular exercise that burns calories, including those stubborn ones around your midsection. Consistent cycling can help reduce overall body fat and, as a result, reduce belly fat. It's important to combine cycling with a balanced diet for the best results.

Which gender is better at cycling? ›

In the 24 h races, the sex difference decreased significantly in all age groups. Men cycled 9.6% faster than women in the 12 h races and 4% faster in the 24 h races. Both women and men improved their performance significantly across the decades.

Does biking get you in shape? ›

Biking is a top-notch cardio workout. You'll burn about 400 calories an hour. Plus it strengthens your lower body, including your legs, hips, and glutes. If you want a workout that's gentle on your back, hips, knees, and ankles, this is a great choice.

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