Share
14th June 2023
10:20am BST
A new study has found which male personalities have the biggest influence on British men's' views on health and fitness, with Tyson Fury coming out on top.
This week (12-18 June) is Men's Mental Health week and, as part of this, Better, the UK's leading leisure operator, has conducted research into men's health and the influence of social media on men, along with the positive impact exercise can have on mental health.
The survey of 2,032 men found a staggering 97% of men agreed that taking part in sport or exercise positively benefited their mental health.
But many admitted that social media can put a lot of pressure on them. For example, one in 10 men have considered taking steroids as a result of pressures from social media, with this rising to 15% amongst 16-24 year olds and 18% in 25-34.
And a shocking two-thirds of men surveyed stated social media impacts their body confidence in some way, with one in five feeling pressured to look a certain way.
Better also asked those surveyed what personalities have influenced their views on health and fitness most, specifically listing a combination of ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ influences.
Overall, it was heavyweight world champion boxer Tyson Fury who was the most popular overall, influencing almost a fifth of men (17%). This increased to a quarter for 25-34-year-olds specifically.
In second place was Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson (16%) and in third was Marcus Rashford (13%).
But worryingly, when it came to the youngest age group of 16-24, high-profile misogynist Andrew Tate was the most influential, with 29% admitting he had influenced them or someone they know.
A recent YouGov survey also found this, reporting that 27% of 18-29-year-old men had a favourable view of Tate and just two-thirds of those with a favourable view agree with Tate’s views on masculinity and what it means to be a ‘man’.
Overall though, just 11% of men said Tate influenced their views on health and fitness.
Related links:
Explore more on these topics:
