Over the years, I’ve tried countless hobbies ranging from gaming to surfing and everything in between. In this article, I’ll be ranking some of my favorite pastimes on a tier list, with S being the best hobbies and F being the worst. For each hobby, I’ll go over the pros, cons, costs, and my personal experience to explain my tier ranking.

Surfing – A Tier

I started surfing in 2020 during the pandemic as a way to get outdoors while social distancing. The startup costs are relatively low – you just need a wetsuit ($200) and a beginner longboard ($200).

Pros: Surfing provides a great cardio workout and there are proven mental and physical health benefits of being in the ocean. It’s also an affordable hobby compared to many others.

Cons: Most of America is landlocked so access can be limited. Oceans can be intimidating and there are risks like sharks, rocks, and drowning. Beginners spend more time paddling and falling than actually riding waves.

Overall: Surfing isn’t for the faint of heart but it’s a thrilling hobby if you have access to the coast. I rank it A Tier but the intimidation factor prevents it from reaching S Tier status.

Film Photography – C Tier

I got into film photography during the recent craze in 2010. Shooting on film is tactile and rewarding, but it has downsides.

Pros: The manual process makes it feel more mechanical and hands-on than digital photography. There’s excitement in waiting to develop your photos.

Cons: Film and development/scanning is increasingly expensive. It’s time-consuming and requires dedication. Most people lose interest after the novelty wears off.

Overall: Film photography is a dying niche hobby. While fun at first, the costs and time commitment caused me to lose interest after a couple months. It ranks C Tier for me.

Gaming – S Tier

Gaming is one of my favorite hobbies. I enjoy competitive games like Valorant and Rocket League as well as racing sims like Assetto Corsa.

Pros: Gaming is extremely social and a great way to connect with friends. There are games suited for every interest. Progression and ranking up is satisfying.

Cons: Gaming can become addictive if taken to an extreme. Some online gaming communities can be toxic.

Overall: Gaming in moderation provides social connection, stress relief, and fun challenges. The pros heavily outweigh the cons for me, earning gaming a top S Tier spot.

Going to the Gym – B Tier

I mainly go to the gym to gain muscle and strength as a naturally skinny guy. Making progress and seeing physical changes is extremely rewarding.

Pros: Going to the gym regularly provides measurable improvements to health, strength, and physique. It also improves mental wellbeing.

Cons: Progress tapers off over time. It can get repetitive and boring doing the same exercises over and over. Gym culture can be intimidating.

Overall: While beneficial in many ways, I find going to the gym less enjoyable as a hobby than others on this list, so it earns a middle B Tier ranking.

Riding Motorcycles – A Tier

I recently got my motorcycle license and bought a starter bike. Riding provides an unmatched sense of freedom on the open road.

Pros: Motorcycles let you experience roads and scenery in a whole new way. Riding also saves gas and offers convenient transportation.

Cons: Major startup costs for gear and motorcycle. Ongoing costs for insurance/maintenance/registration. Increased safety risks.

Overall: Despite the expenses, I find riding an extremely enjoyable hobby. The thrill and freedom push it to an A Tier ranking for me.

YouTube – S Tier

I quit my job in 2021 to pursue YouTube full time. Making videos allows me to help people while being creative.

Pros: Being your own boss offers flexibility and unlimited income potential. It’s extremely rewarding to build a community around your passion.

Cons: No company benefits like 401k or insurance. Requires wearing many hats and 2x the work of a normal job. Income takes time to build.

Overall: YouTube combines my interests in technology, filmmaking and helping others. The pros massively outweigh the cons, making this an easy S Tier hobby.

Final Thoughts

Ranking hobbies is certainly subjective, but thinking critically about the pros, cons, costs, and personal fit of each one can help identify which activities are most worth your time and energy. While I don’t love every hobby equally, I appreciate the variety of experiences and skills each one provides. A diversity of pursuits leads to a more balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.