The dad bod has quickly taken over the dating world. Move over, washboard abs and man buns, there’s a new look that girls everywhere are gushing over.
If you’re a guy and you’re not sure what this is, don’t worry. You don’t have to go dressing like your father or telling a bunch of dad jokes to win over the woman of your dreams. Most of the time, having a dad bod means you get to just be yourself!
Here’s a closer look at what this term is actually referring to and why women are so attracted to it.
Defining the Dad Bod
The dad bod is basically the mid-point between a totally defined 6-pack or a big beer belly that looks like you drink a bunch of 6-packs. It means you have a little extra fluff here and there, which turns out, women find charming.
You can have a dad bod and still workout, by the way. If you have defined arm muscles or a toned booty, you still qualify. To pull off this look doesn’t mean you have to hide your love for the gym, it just means you don’t have to put as much pressure on yourself to be chiseled all over.
Not buying it? Check out why more and more women are starting to prefer the laid-back dad bod look over the put-together buff guy type of style.
Why Women Are Attracted to Guys with Dad Bods
The next time you think about hiding your dad bod when dressing to go out or feel nervous taking your shirt off in front of a woman, think again. Chances are, the girl you’re about to talk to for the first time or be intimate with for the first time finds you more attractive than you might think.
Below are the top three reasons why girls like the dad bod.
Having a Dad Bod Is a Sign of Good Character
When a girl sees a guy who takes good care of his muscles, it’s easy to make the inference that he thinks too much about himself. Most buff guys are total gym rats; they spend all their time lifting weights when they’re not working or studying and have more bros than a woman may have in her girl squad. It’s intimidating.
A guy with a dad bod, on the other hand, is much more approachable. You’re more likely to make funny jokes, care about what she has to say, and have a generally relaxed attitude.
A girl sees you and thinks this someone who probably works out here and there but has other interests, too. The dad bod is a sign you care about your health as well as personal hobbies outside of the gym.
Girls Don’t Feel as Much Pressure
Not only are you more approachable when you have a dad bod, but you make a woman feel more attractive, too. Let’s face it – no one is perfect. But, for a while, dating norms made a lot of people, single and committed, feel like they had to be.
Every girl needed to be a Barbie to find her Ken. With the rising dad bod trend, people can just be themselves. A girl doesn’t have to be stick thin or super toned to find a good guy, she can choose to workout for herself or not workout at all and know her prince charming is still out there.
Cuddles Are Way Better
Think about what you like when you hold a woman. Many men enjoy a few extra curves to grab onto rather than someone who is stick thin. Women are starting to catch on.
The truth is it’s much more comfortable to curl up with someone who has a dad bod than someone who feels like a rock. This is both in the physical and psychological sense.
Physically, you’re soft and cuddly in all the right places, but you still offer a sense of strength and support. Mentally, a woman isn’t worried about how her body looks or feels because she knows looks aren’t as big of a priority to you as they may be to other guys.
How to Work Your Dad Bod
It’s one thing to understand what are women attracted to and another to make certain things work for you. If you’re already ripped and buff, don’t sacrifice your health just to get a girl. Work on your character and approachableness instead.
If you do have a dad bod, don’t depend on it to get the girl. Use these three tips to seal the deal.
Don’t Use It as an Excuse to Be Lazy
The dad bod is not an excuse to be overweight or to not care about your health at all. A little extra fluff says you’re human, a lot of extra weight has the potential to put off a lazy vibe.
Of course, if a woman judges you on looks alone she doesn’t deserve you. You may be overweight because of a health condition, stress, or because you spend your time doing things that are more important to you than being in the gym. Such a situation is understandable and totally valid.
If you’re sitting on the couch every night after work and pounding beers every weekend, though, that’s a different story. Work on yourself a bit before you try to improve your dating game.
Up Your Charm
Maybe you know yourself well and take good care of yourself, but you just don’t know how to talk to women. Here’s a secret: it’s not rocket science!
All you have to do is relax and be yourself. In the same way that you can be quick-witted and sarcastic with your guy friends, you should be able to do this in front of a pretty lady.
If you’re still not having any luck, work on your jokes, your pickup lines, or maybe consider getting a wingman. When in doubt, play it smooth and remember, there really are plenty of fish in the sea.
Flirting, Dating, and Finding the One
Dating is different for everyone. Some people are relationship people – they always have a significant other around, often for long-term until things don’t work out and then they find a new partner. Others enjoy dating without commitment or barely dating at all.
Keep this in mind as you’re talking to new women and seeing how well you do with the dad bod. This alone won’t get the girl, but it may help.
Who knows, you could end up finding the one. The next time you go out, don’t put as much pressure on yourself and see what happens. Don’t forget to come back and tell us how it went!
