Thanks to Wikimedia and Maria Ly for the image.
A fitness study reports that women ranked rock climbing as the sexiest sport, while the men who were asked didn’t even put it in their top five. The author writes, “To me, the sexiness of climbing is less about muscles and super-hard moves, and more about the passion and commitment that climbers have for their sport.” I agree that the dedication climbers show is sexy; however, since I’ve been rock climbing for a few years now, I have to note that the chiseled muscles (think rock-hard abs and defined shoulder and back muscles) are also a major plus when people-watching at the climbing gym.
One of the other benefits to discussing rock climbing in a relationship or sexual context is that it is based on trust. If you are top-roping, it means you are relying on a belayer (person holding the rope as it’s fed through a locking device) at ground level to make sure you don’t fall. Even if you’re bouldering, which isn’t done at great heights hence doesn’t require a safety rope, you often have a spotter to help you feel more secure and make sure you don’t land awkwardly or painfully if you fall.
Yes, rock climbing is difficult (moreso if you are afraid of heights like I am). But it could be a fun activity to try on a date or with your partner(s) to not only practice trust, but get some good heart-pumping exercise that can inspire confidence. Full disclosure: I first met my partner at a rock climbing gym. And I couldn’t be happier about the fact that we share an activity that is healthy, challenging, and (in both of our opinions) sexy!
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