The link between physical fitness and sex is an interesting one, and
one that should not be underestimated. While there are several great
reasons to exercise, there is one more significant advantage: a better sex life.
Recent research indicates that people who are physically fit get more
enjoyment from sex and are more likely to be sexually active. Regardless
of age, regular exercise results in greater sexual confidence, desire
and ability to attain orgasm. Experts are not sure as to how and why
aerobic exercise boosts the libido.
One theory, however, is that exercise leads to endorphin release,
creating a sense of well-being that makes people more receptive to
sexual activity.Exercise that is performed over a sustained time leads
to a so-called “runner’s high,” caused by the release of endorphins.
These endorphins are stimulating, and as well as causing us to feel
great, they stimulate the release of sex hormones. The added bonus is
that exercise causes us to feel better. It elevates our mood and creates
a feeling of calmness. The lowering of heart rate, improved digestion,
lowered blood pressure and lowered stress hormone levels combine with
the feelings of well being caused by the endorphins. Add to that an
increase of another hormone, oxytocin, and the result is a relaxed,
content, person.
For women, the link between exercise and sex has been explored by
Cindy Meston and her colleagues. Their results indicate that working out
– albeit vigorously – primes women’s bodies for sexual activity. It is
not simply that exercise increases genital blood flow or makes women
sexually aroused. Instead, there seems to be something, as of yet
unidentified, that prepares women’s bodies. After working out, she found
that women’s bodies respond faster and more intensely to sexual content
(such as an erotic film). Her findings are exciting because they
counter the long held belief that relaxation is necessary for a good
sexual experience, and assumption that might be due to the link between
anxiety and erectile problems for men. I should mention that so far
these effects have been documented immediately after exercise and seem
to diminish quickly- indeed, they seem to be the strongest 15 minutes
after exercise and fade fast.
As for men, sexual experiences also benefit from exercise. White and
colleagues (1990) had two groups of men, whose average age was 48 years,
all of whom were sedentary but healthy at the start of the study. One
group engaged in walking, while the other in aerobic exercise. The
latter group reported higher levels of sexual intimacy, more satisfying
orgasms, and more reliable sexual functioning. Thus, men who are
physically inactive and then aerobically exercise three or four days a
week, regularly, for at least an hour at a time, soon report more sex
and better sex. However, all men experienced an improvement, leading the
researchers to conclude that enhanced sexuality is directly correlated
with their improvement in physical fitness.
Satisfying sex lives isn’t just about the nuts and bolts of biology –
it also involves self image. People who exercise often have a positive
self body image, which might make them simply enjoy their bodies more,
too. Penhollow and Young (2004) found frequency of exercise and physical
fitness enhanced attractiveness and increased energy levels. They write
that those who exercise are more likely to experience a greater level
of satisfaction and a positive perception of self, which may cause them
to believe they are more desirable and may perform better sexually
One last thought – sex itself is a physical activity and burns
calories and increases fitness. Many factors influence how many calories
are spent during sex, but most reports seem to indicate about 85 for a
half hour to hour session, which is about the same as bowling. Unlike
bowling, though, sex can also increase self-esteem, cardio-vascular
health, emotional intimacy, improve sleeping, and increase immunity!
One thing is for certain: the benefits of exercise are endless and
can lead to a longer, healthier and happier life. Despite the advantages
of an active life, more than 60% of Americans do not exercise
regularly, while a mere 18.8% of adults in 2009 met the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention’s Physical Activity Guidelines for both
aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity.
The Center for Disease Control recommends three or more sessions per
week of “activities that last 20 minutes or more at a time … that
require moderate to vigorous levels of exertion.”
Regardless of your
current exercise habits, it is never too late to begin a workout
program. You could join a gym, hire a personal trainer and learn how to
exercise correctly and safely. Consult a doctor if you are just
beginning an exercise regimen to maximize safety.
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