Burn Calories And Boost Your Bond: Understanding Sex As Exercise
GENEEN ROTH
Writer, author, & teacher
Intimacy is not something that just happens between two people; it is a way of being alive. At every moment, we are choosing either to reveal ourselves or to defend ourselves, to value ourselves or to diminish ourselves, to tell the truth, or to hide. To dive into life or to avoid it. Intimacy is making the choice to be connected to, rather than isolated from, our deepest truth as that moment.
Did you know that healthy people burn about 3.6 calories every minute during sex, according to a 2013 study? This fact shows that sex is more than just a way to connect. It's also a great way to stay fit, offering many physical health benefits similar to regular exercise.
Sex is good for your heart, muscles, and flexibility. It also helps your mind by reducing stress and making you feel happier. As we explore the benefits of sex as exercise, it's clear that these moments can be a fun part of staying fit.
Key Takeaways
- Sex as exercise can burn approximately 3.6 calories per minute, comparable to other moderate activities.
- Regular sexual activity promotes cardiovascular health and enhances fitness levels.
- Kegel exercises can intensify orgasms and improve muscle control for both men and women.
- Engaging in sexual activity can lead to the release of endorphins, boosting mood and reducing stress.
- Exercise can improve self-esteem, positively affecting sexual desirability and performance.
Introduction To The Physical Benefits Of Sex
Sex as exercise is a key to better health. It's fun and boosts fitness by working many muscles and increasing heart rate. This mix of joy and exercise helps with both physical and emotional health.
Understanding Sex As A Fun Form Of Exercise
Many see sex as a way to stay fit. Studies show it's good for the heart, especially for women. Women who are active in sex have a lower risk of heart problems later on.
But, for men, too much sex might not be good for the heart. This shows sex can have different effects on people. So, it's fun to stay fit and close with your partner.
The Connection Between Sex And Physical Activity
Sex is like a light workout, similar to walking fast or climbing stairs. Studies found that happy older women tend to have lower blood pressure. People with high blood pressure can usually safely enjoy sex.
Regularly dealing with emotional closeness, sexual or not, helps keep stress down. This link between exercise and relationships boosts both physical and emotional health.
The Science Behind Sex as Exercise
Sex can be seen as a workout, offering many health benefits and burning calories. Hormones change during sex, affecting mood, well-being, and health. This makes sex not just fun but also good for fitness.
Top Exercises For Better Sex
We all want to be good in bed, don't we? Here's a quick routine you can do as often as every day to mobilise, strengthen and release your deep core muscles (including your pelvic floor). You can do it alone or with a partner.
Hormonal Changes During Sexual Activity
Sex releases hormones like endorphins, oxytocin, and prolactin. These hormones help improve mood, relax you, and help you sleep better. Studies show sex increases breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. So, sex is like moderate exercise, offering many health perks.
Calories Burned: Can You Count Sex As A Workout?
Sex does burn calories, making it a real part of your daily activity count. A six-minute session burns about 21 calories. Thirty minutes can burn 85 to 100 calories. Some studies say sex is as good as brisk walking. This proves sex can be part of a healthy lifestyle.
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Sex As Exercise: Aerobic And Cardiovascular Benefits
Sexual activity boosts your heart health. It makes your heart work harder, similar to moderate exercise. This makes it a fun way to keep your heart healthy. Studies show that regular sex helps your heart work better.
Improving Heart Health Through Sexual Activity
Regular sex can lower the risk of heart disease. Men who have sex at least twice a week have fewer heart problems. Women who are happy with their sex lives also benefit.
Staying active in your relationships helps keep your heart strong. This is key for your heart health.
How Sex Functions As Moderate-Intensity Exercise
Sex is like moderate exercise. During sex, your heart beats fast, similar to a brisk walk or jog. This shows that sex can be good for your heart, just like traditional exercise.
Enhancing Blood Circulation And Cardiovascular Fitness
Sex also improves blood circulation. This means your body gets more oxygen. Regular sex keeps your blood pressure in check and reduces stress.
Good relationships from sex can also make you feel less anxious and depressed. These feelings can increase the risk of heart disease.
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Sex And Mental Health Benefits
Sex and mental health are closely linked, showing how important hormones like endorphins and oxytocin are. These hormones make us feel good and help reduce stress. People who have sex often feel closer to their partners, creating a supportive space that's good for their mental health.
The Role Of Endorphins And Oxytocin
Endorphins and oxytocin are key to the mental health perks of sex. Endorphins boost our mood, easing pain and making us feel happy. Oxytocin, the "love hormone," strengthens bonds between partners, making us feel safe and trusting. Together, they help us feel emotionally stable and less stressed.
Reducing Stress And Anxiety Through Sexual Activity
Sex is a great way to cut down stress and anxiety. Studies show it lowers cortisol, the stress hormone. This means we feel more relaxed and can handle life's pressures better. Being sexually active also helps us talk better with our partners, easing anxious feelings.
Sex As A Mood Booster And Its Psychological Advantages
Having sex often makes us feel happier. People active in their sex lives tend to have better self-esteem and emotional health. The benefits of sex go beyond just feeling good; they help us stay positive and resilient. Seeing sex as key to mental health is a smart move.
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Integrating Sexual Activity into Your Fitness Routine
Combining sexual activity with fitness is a great way to boost your health and improve your relationship. By using specific positions and exercises, you can turn sex into a fun workout. This makes your lifestyle more balanced and interesting.
Recommended Positions For An Effective Workout
Some sex positions can also be great for working out. Here are a few positions that are good for your sexercise routine:
- Squat Position: This position works your core and leg muscles while still being intimate.
- Cowgirl: It helps strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, which can improve your sexual performance and also tone your legs and core.
- Doggy Style: This position is great for building endurance and toning your lower body.
Creative Exercises To Incorporate Into Sex
You can boost your fitness by adding these exercises to your sex routine:
- Kegel Exercises: Do these 10 times, three times a day, to strengthen your pelvic floor. This can make you more aroused and improve your sexual experience.
- Bodyweight Exercises: Add glute bridges and push-ups to work on your core and upper body strength. This can help you perform better in all areas.
- Pilates Movements: Use thrusting power and flexibility exercises to boost your strength and stamina.
By adding these elements to your routine, you can enjoy more pleasure and satisfaction with your partner. These activities are good for your immune and metabolic systems and can make you feel happier by releasing serotonin and dopamine. This new way of looking at fitness shows that it can be enjoyable and rewarding.
| Exercise | Targeted Area | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Squats | Legs, core | 5 minutes |
| Glute Bridges | Pelvic floor | 5 minutes |
| Kegels | Pelvic floor | 10 reps, 3 times a day |
| Push-ups | Upper body | 5 minutes |
| Pigeon Pose | Flexibility | 5 minutes |
Adding these tips to your sex life can make you fitter and strengthen your relationship. It makes the experience more fun and beneficial for both people involved.
The Bottom Line
Seeing sex as a workout shows its big role in physical health and well-being. It's not just fun; it's also a good way to stay fit. Men burn about 101 calories and women around 69.1 calories during sex. This shows sex is a real way to exercise.
Sex boosts heart health, improves blood flow, and makes you feel better with mood-boosting hormones. It's as intense as a 30-minute workout, making it key for both physical and emotional health. This strengthens the bond between partners.
Adding sex to your fitness plan makes your relationships better and supports an active life. Seeing sex as exercise helps us understand its health benefits. It encourages us to focus on our sexual health, leading to a better approach to wellness.
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FAQ
Yes, sex can be seen as moderate exercise. It involves physical activity that raises heart rates and works many muscles.
Sex boosts heart health and emotional well-being. It also burns calories and strengthens muscles in the pelvic area. This adds to overall physical health.
Sex can burn about 3.6 calories per minute. This means around 50 calories in a typical session of penile-vaginal intercourse.
Yes, sex lowers stress and anxiety and makes people feel happier. This is due to hormones like endorphins and oxytocin, which help with bonding and relaxation.
Regular sex is good for the heart. It improves blood flow and lowers the risk of heart disease. This makes it a type of aerobic exercise.
Some sex positions, like squats and lunges, can be changed to work out better. This makes the activity more fun and beneficial for fitness.
Yes, adding sex to your routine can improve communication and closeness with your partner. This strengthens your relationship.
Yes, doing pelvic floor exercises, like Kegels, during sex can improve sexual performance and fitness. It also benefits overall fitness.
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