The Most and Least Attractive Hobbies for Men

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Dating Coach Eddy Baller explains which activities will have potential partners lining up, and which will make them run for the hills

Co-authored by Sophia Bell

Last Updated: December 17, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Least Attractive Hobbies
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• Most Attractive Hobbies
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• Why do hobbies matter?
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• Attracting a Partner
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• Video

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Have you heard about the viral survey where women ranked men’s hobbies in terms of attractiveness? We’re here to share the results—and then explain if they’re legit or not! We’ve got insights from real users plus relationship experts to give you the inside scoop on what women think about how men spend their free time. Just keep in mind that attractiveness is totally subjective, and what gives one person the ick might be a total turn-on for another! In the end, it’s all about finding the right person for you, so we’ve included pro tips from expert dating coaches on how to attract the right romantic partner.

What are the least attractive male hobbies?

Dating coach Eddy Baller says that the least attractive hobbies for men are building model trains or airplanes and playing chess. The most attractive hobbies for men are active and require strength and endurance, like sports. Active hobbies that can be shared with a partner, like hiking and camping, are also attractive.

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Section 1 of 4:

Least Attractive Hobbies for Men

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   Promoting Misogyny It comes as no surprise that women aren’t into men who hold misogynistic views or participate in misogynistic activities or communities. The “manosphere” and “porn” are ranked as the number one and the third least attractive hobbies, respectively, according to Date Psychology’s poll.

   • Now, that’s not to say that watching porn is inherently bad. Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP, says, “Contrary to popular belief, watching pornography is actually a healthy habit as long as it is used within reason and does not overtake other aspects of life.”
   • Global Sex Educator Cath Hakanson adds, “If watching porn starts replacing things like going out with friends or doing hobbies—if it starts taking over your life—then it becomes unhealthy. It’s really about moderation.”

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Eddy Baller is a Dating Coach and the owner of a dating consulting and coaching service, Conquer and Win. Eddy specializes in confidence-building, advanced social and communication skills, and building meaningful relationships.

   Alessandra Conti is a Celebrity Matchmaker and Dating Coach. For nearly 10 years, Alessandra has led a team of matchmakers responsible for hundreds of marriages through their knowledge of interpersonal relationships.

   Michelle Jacoby is a Matchmaker, Dating Coach, and the Founder and CEO of DC Matchmaking. With 12+ years of experience, she specializes in helping singles find healthy, lasting relationships.

   Cher Gopman is the Founder of NYC Wingwoman LLC, a date coaching service based in New York City that offers matchmaking, wingwoman services, 1-on-1 Coaching, and intensive weekend bootcamps.
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   Addictions & Bad Habits “Gambling” is the second least attractive hobby, while “Marijuana,” “Cigars,” “Drinking,” and “Clubbing” also make the top 15 list of least attractive male hobbies from Date Psychology. While we’re not sure we’d call things like gambling, smoking, drinking, or clubbing “hobbies,” it makes sense that women aren’t super psyched about a partner who has bad habits or spends a lot of time partying.
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   Arguing Online Both “arguing online” and “debating” make the list of least attractive male hobbies. This one totally tracks—most women are looking for a mature man that can scroll past something he doesn’t agree with, not get sucked into a nasty fight in the comments. And literally no one wants to date an online troll!
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   Funko, Anime, MTG & Cosplay According to Date Psychology, women find hobbies like collecting Funko Pops, anime, cosplay, MTG (Magic: The Gathering), and comic books pretty undesirable. Women may see these as childish hobbies, or it just may not be their thing. It’s totally okay if it is your thing, though! There are definitely women out there who would love to play MTG, watch anime, or cosplay with you.
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   Crypto While niche, crypto made Date Psychology’s list of least attractive hobbies. The “crypto bro” or “bitcoin bro” stereotype may be turning women off from men who work in the industry. Whether a guy can’t stop talking about how much money he’s made, uses jargon that’s hard to understand, or pitches crypto to everyone they meet, people are becoming annoyed with those who are obsessed with cryptocurrency.
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   Video Games The video game industry is super strong for a reason! Tons of people like to game, both men and women. This likely only becomes an unattractive hobby when a guy spends nearly all his free time glued to his gaming console—especially if he’s constantly yelling at the screen or arguing with other players.
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   Building Models Baller says, “The least attractive hobbies for males will be things like model trains [or] airplanes.” People typically think of models as a hobby for kids, so they may view this as a sign of immaturity. That said, it takes a lot of patience and dedication to build tiny replicas, and those are great traits to have!
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   Playing chess Baller says that women find chess to be an unattractive hobby. However, we can definitely make the argument that chess players are smart—and smart is sexy! Plus, chess has kind of come back in vogue after The Queen’s Gambit premiered on Netflix.
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Section 2 of 4:

Most Attractive Hobbies for Men

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   Reading & Language Learning Reading topped the list of most attractive hobbies, followed by foreign languages. Like we said, smart is sexy, so there’s no surprise that women are into men who spend their time devouring classics, thrillers, or literary fiction or learning to speak French (or Italian, Mandarin Chinese, or Russian!).

   • Our readers find these hobbies appealing, too. We asked 1533 people, “Which new hobby are you most excited to pick up?” and 30% said “Learning a new language.”
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   Playing an Instrument This came in third on the list of most attractive hobbies for men. It takes time, dedication, and patience to nail that piano piece or sax solo, and those are qualities that anyone can appreciate in their partner.
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   Cooking This one totally makes sense—who wouldn’t be totally charmed by a man who can cook for them? Just picture it—candles lighting the room, music filtering through the speakers, and the delicious aroma of chicken piccata, Spanish paella, or stuffed snapper delighting the senses. It practically screams romance!
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   Creative Activities Women find hobbies like painting, writing, and photography attractive, according to Date Psychology. So no matter what you like to create—from sculptures to swords—don’t be afraid to tell your next date a little bit about it!
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   Sports Baller explains, “The most attractive hobbies for men will typically be active hobbies where strength and endurance might play a part, like in sports.” Swimming, specifically, was in Date Psychology’s list of most attractive hobbies for men. So, whether you play basketball with your buddies or have a standing Saturday golf game or tennis match, the ladies will likely be intrigued by your dedication to staying fit.

   • Our readers agree that being active is a great way to spend free time. We asked 428 people, “What hobby are you most motivated to pursue?” and 46% said “Hitting the gym more often and more regularly.”
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   Outdoor activities Baller explains that, “Active lifestyle hobbies will also be attractive because they can be shared with a partner, like hiking, camping, or even sport shooting.” Hiking made Date Psychology’s list, as did gardening!
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   Woodworking, Blacksmithing & Archery Pastimes from bygone eras are definitely coming back into style, so we’re not surprised to learn that more than 80% of women find these traditional and masculine hobbies attractive.
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   Traveling Who doesn’t want to spend time exploring the world and delighting in new cultures and cuisines? When you find a partner you connect with, ask about their ideal trips and make a plan to visit one of their dream destinations.
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Section 3 of 4:

Why do hobbies matter?

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1. A lack of common interests can cause problems in a relationship. Dating Coach David Kornel Z explains, “Hobbies can be a deal breaker too, I'd say. You might have a hobby that you really want to share with your significant other, and maybe your other person just isn't into the hobby.” Matchmaker & Dating Coach Michelle Jacoby provides an example: "If you are an outdoorsy person, and your partner is a couch potato, that is a problem. If you can't find the overlap and the things you enjoy doing together…that means you're incompatible. And that's a problem."

   • However, that doesn’t mean a relationship won’t work with someone who has different hobbies. Jacoby says, “You don't have to have all the same interests as your partner. I mean, I'm a tennis player, my husband's a cyclist…He doesn't play much tennis, I don't ride my bike much, [and] it doesn't matter.”
   • Plus, it’s good to have things that are just for you. Matchmaker April Davis says, “You don't have to have all your hobbies in common, because sometimes you don't want to do your hobbies with your person. You want to have your own free time.”
   • Regardless of what your hobbies are, “Be honest, whatever that may be, that you like to do for fun, be honest about it. It could be just about anything. When you're honest about that answer, people see it, they can see and feel the passion you have in regards to that fun hobby, fun activity,” advises Certified Life Coach & Motivational Speaker Nora Oliver.

Section 4 of 4:

How to Attract a Partner

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   Remember that you’re more than just your hobbies. You may be tempted to ditch the things you love if they are on the “least attractive hobbies” list—but don’t toss out that chessboard or video game console just yet. Baller explains, “If [a man’s] whole identity is wrapped up in the hobby, then it's much more likely to be unattractive. But more importantly, what are his habits and attitudes outside of his hobbies? Is he confident and [does he have] social skills?”

   • If you need to, work on building your self-confidence by focusing on your positive traits and using positive self-talk.
   • If you feel a bit socially awkward, you can improve your social skills with practice. Strike up a conversation with a barista or make small talk in the elevator. Listen to what other people say, pay them compliments, and generally focus on being positive and easygoing.
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   Be the best version of yourself. Celebrity Matchmaker & Dating Coach Alessandra Conti says, “Do not try to be the person that you think that they want [you] to be...Ultimately, be the best version of yourself and shine. And when you're shining, then you're seductive." She goes on to explain that, “Attraction begins with feeling attractive. It's so important to work on yourself and to really feel attractive in the way that you look, the way that you're presenting yourself, and the way that you're feeling.”

   • Conti advises, “A very easy thing to do to boost your levels of attraction is to start taking care of your body by going to the gym...getting your body in shape, getting fit, or just feeling like you're looking like the best version of yourself through physical activity and that kind of physical self-care” will help you attract a partner.
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   Put yourself out there. The only way to meet someone is to, well, go out and meet someone! Celebrity dating coach Damona Hoffman recommends that you “find…a group that you can become a part of that might expand your social circle or your dating connections. Running clubs and hiking groups have become very popular dating venues.”

   • Look for people who share the same hobbies you do! Dating coach Cher Gopman says, “Meetup groups are great, if there's something that you're really interested in. So, for example, if you love wine tasting or you're into video games, going to a meetup group that has that interest is going to surround you with other people who have that common interest.”
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   Make a move when you meet someone you like. We know it can be nerve-wracking to strike up a conversation with an attractive stranger or ask someone out. But you can do this! Gopman advises, “If you find you're out and about and you see someone you're attracted to, [take] full advantage of the situation because it's never going to be the perfect time to meet somebody. But if you see someone who sparks your interest, [don’t be] scared to say hello.”

   • Rejection happens to everyone, so handle it gracefully if someone you’re into doesn’t seem interested. And don’t take it to heart—it just means that person wasn’t the right match for you, and it gives you the opportunity to find someone who’s better suited for you.
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   Focus on what you have in common to make a connection. Baller explains that, “Most women will not care if [a man] has particular hobbies as long as he turns them on and has other interests he can share.” Ask what your potential partner’s hobbies are and see if they interest you, too! “You also have to be open to trying new things, that's part of being in a relationship, that's compromise,” Jacoby advises. So make it a point to find common ground—maybe you’re both movie buffs and can enjoy cozy movie nights together, or perhaps you both love to ski and can hit the slopes once the snow falls.

   • After all, Relationship Coach Amy Chan explains, “The foundation of love is connection. So set your goal not to fall in love but to create a connection. The former is not something you can control, the latter is a choice you make, every day.”
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