When do you want to stop standing up at concerts? Let’s ask science!

When I first started going to concerts, you couldn’t keep me in my seat. I was on my feet for the entire gig, sometimes even standing on my seat.

But over the years, that stopped. While there are occasions that prompt me to stand up, I honestly prefer sitting down. When did that happen?

A new study commissioned by Spaseekers.com (they help you find a spa that will cure what ails you) discovered that the cut-off age between standing at concerts and wanting to sit down is 30. Men start wanting to sit down at age 28. Women keep it up until 32 before they’re done with it all. Hence the average of 30.

Yes, you may be different, but this is a generalization taken from a survey of about 2,000 people. By 30, standing still-ish is hard work. It’s a lot of continuous low-level effort as your muscles hold you upright in a more-or-less static position on a hard floor. Your lower back and pelvis take a beating, causing the soft tissue in those areas of the body to get grumpy. By age 30, you’ve had enough of that, especially over the course of a full show (an opener or two plus the headliner, which can run upwards of five hours or more.

Being on the floor or in the pit becomes too much trouble, and you begin to leave for the stands. Meanwhile, Gen Z (33% of those in the survey) work to get as close to the stage as possible. If they’re in the stands, they’re the ones standing up in front of you, obscuring your view.

If you want to fight your body’s natural inclination, make sure you move instead of just standing. Dress sensibly. Have proper shoes. Take a break every once in a while. Hydrate. Understand that you’re not 18 anymore.

Getting old sucks.