Want to Get Stronger? Science Says Swearing Might Help

If you’ve ever let out a few choice words while grinding through a brutal workout, science has your back—you might actually be lifting, pushing, and enduring more pain just by cursing like a sailor.

Yep, swearing could make you stronger. And no, this isn’t just some locker-room myth. Researchers have been studying the effects of profanity on physical performance, and the results are hard to ignore. From boosting grip strength to helping with pain tolerance, a well-timed F-bomb might be more powerful than your pre-workout.

The Science Behind Swearing and Strength

It all started with a joke. Back in 2019, Nick Washmuth, DPT, a professor of physical therapy, was prepping for a bench press competition when a student sent him a study titled “Effect of Swearing on Strength and Power Performance.” Instead of laughing it off, he tried it out—yelling profanities before lifting—and, surprisingly, it worked.

Curious, he teamed up with Richard Stephens, PhD, a psychologist who has been studying swearing for years. Together, they started testing just how much of a difference swearing can make in physical performance. Their research found that:

🔥 Swearing during a Wingate power test (used to measure muscular endurance) increased performance by 4.5%.
💪 Shouting expletives before a grip strength test boosted strength by 8%.
🏋️ Dropping F-bombs during push-ups and planks increased endurance by 15% and 12%, respectively.

Basically, if you’re not swearing under your breath at the gym, you might be leaving gains on the table.

Why Does Swearing Make You Stronger?

At first, researchers thought it was all about the fight-or-flight response—the same rush of adrenaline that kicks in during high-pressure situations. But there’s more to it than that.

🧠 Swearing seems to unlock a more aggressive, disinhibited state of mind. It’s like flipping a mental switch that lets you push past your limits.
😈 It taps into our emotions. The sheer “taboo” factor of swearing might make it more impactful than just yelling random words.
🩹 It helps with pain tolerance. One study had people dunk their hands in ice-cold water while repeating either a curse word or a neutral word like “square.” Those who cursed held their hands in the freezing water a full minute longer.

Even more interesting? Researchers found that stroke patients who lost their ability to speak could still swear fluently. This suggests that swearing is deeply wired into our brains, possibly linked to primal survival mechanisms.

How to Swear Your Way to More Gains

Want to put this knowledge to work? Here’s how to (strategically) incorporate swearing into your training:

✅ Pre-Set Pump-Up: Before a big lift, let out a string of profanities (maybe in your head, unless your gym is cool with it).
✅ Mid-Workout Motivation: Struggling through the last few reps? Don’t hold back—curse your way to the finish line.
✅ Pain Management: Whether it’s an ice bath or muscle soreness, a well-timed curse word might actually help you push through discomfort.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Profanity in Performance?

Could we see a future where personal trainers actively prescribe swearing for peak performance? Maybe. Researchers are already testing whether certain words have more power than others (spoiler: the F-word seems to be the reigning champ).

So, next time you’re struggling under a barbell, don’t just grunt—cuss it out. Science says it just might make you stronger.