Dad bod owners rejoice. A new survey confirms that women prefer dad bods over six-packs. The national study was commissioned by Planet Fitness, which seems counterintuitive that a company built on fitness would offer reasons to owners of a flabby mid-section to not get to the gym. Be that as it may, the results point to “an ever-increasing appreciation for and acceptance of the ‘dad bod’ physique.”
In its third year, the study has looked at how American men and women feel about the dad bod, and like previous years, it seems this physique “exudes more sexiness and confidence now than ever before.” According to the study, over 23 million men identify as having a dad bod physique. Similar numbers were reported in 2018. The difference, however, is that this year, more men believe that there is universal acceptance of the dad bod as compared to last year (71 per cent in 2019 vs. 63 per cent in 2018). That has led to more men being happy with their body (79 per cent vs last year’s 62 per cent). These men are more relaxed and even believe that having a dad bod has improved their life in some way. Confidence levels have also increased. Nearly four in five men and women believe that a dad bod is a sign that the man is confident in himself. And it looks like others feel pretty good about people having dad bods. An 8 per cent increase in respondents reported that more Americans find the dad bod attractive (up to 65 per cent from 57 per cent). More people found the dad bod “sexy” (61 per cent over 51 per cent last year), and an additional 10 per cent think that the dad bod is the new six-pack (51 per cent up from last year’s 41 per cent).
“As home of the Judgement Free Zone,” says Jamie Medeiros, Vice President of Marketing at Planet Fitness, “we’re proud to offer a comfortable environment for all of our members, regardless of body type. This Father’s Day, Planet Fitness is challenging everyone, and not just dads, to be comfortable I their own skin and accept others for who they are.”
