by When it comes to someone’s sex life, the number of partners they’ve had is usually kept private. But according to a fascinating new study from Washington State University, there might be a surprisingly simple clue: upper body strength.
The Study That Got Everyone Talking
Researchers Caroline Smith and Ed Hagen analyzed data from over 4,300 U.S. participants and found that people with stronger upper body strength—both men and women—tended to have more sexual partners over their lifetime.
In the study abstract, the team explained:
“We found a main effect of strength on mating success proxied by lifetime number of sexual partners and current partnered status, but not past-year number of sexual partners or age at first intercourse.”
Translation? Basically, people who can drop and do push-ups without breaking a sweat are more likely to have a higher “body count.”
Why Strength Matters in Attraction
The link between strength and sexual partners might be rooted in evolutionary biology. Historically, being physically strong was a huge advantage in survival—whether for hunting food or protecting family. That same perception of strength may still influence attraction today.
Upper body strength can tell a lot about a person. Credit: CasarsaGuru / Getty
Of course, this isn’t true for everyone. Some fitness lovers might be too busy chasing personal records at the gym to chase relationships, while others with more free time might rack up more dates without ever touching a dumbbell.
What’s the “Ideal” Number of Partners?
Interestingly, the conversation about sexual partners isn’t new. According to a study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science, people often perceive the “ideal” lifetime partner count as:
- 4–5 partners for men
- 2–3 partners for women
Meanwhile, data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the average American woman reports 4.3 lifetime partners, while the average man reports 6.3.
Americans aren’t having as much sex as they might think, according to another study. Credit: Witthaya Prasongsin / Getty
Still, the idea of an “ideal” number is subjective. What feels right for one person might not for another, and no research or society rulebook should dictate how many people you choose to sleep with.
The Reality of Sex in America
Despite living in what feels like a hyper-sexual culture, most Americans aren’t having as much sex as you might think. A survey by Talker Research for LELO found the average American has slept with 14 people total.
Even more surprising? According to sleep product company NapLab, the average American only has sex about once per week. In New York and New Jersey, it’s even less—around 1.2–1.3 times weekly.
Bottom Line
So, does hitting the gym boost your sex life? Maybe. Stronger people might have a better chance at finding partners, but at the end of the day, what matters most is personal happiness, confidence, and connection—not numbers.
💡 If you’re curious, you can check out the full Washington State University study or the CDC’s sexual behavior data for more insights.
