Exercise & Your Love Life

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February 13th, 2017 - ISSUE 68

Love life not what it used to be? Perhaps it is time to do a little less of the thumb workouts, and move a lot more! Research shows that sweating in the gym can lead to more workouts in the bedroom. “Exercise makes you feel better and improves your energy level and self-image,” says American Council on Exercise spokesman Richard Cotton. Exercise also keeps your “equipment” in better running condition.

Specifically, exercise:

gives you more energy.

“Sex itself is an intense physical activity requiring strength and endurance. As you exercise, both your strength and endurance will increase, opening the possibility for more varied sexual positions that require greater physical control.”

makes you feel sexier.

“Being more comfortable with your body leads to better and more relaxed sex. Eighty percent of men and 60% of females who exercised two to three times weekly rated their own sexual desirability as above average. As the number of days of exercise per week increased, so did the ratings of sexual desirability.”

improves sexual performance.

“Among people who exercised four to five days per week, 88% of the women and 69% of the men reported their own sexual performance as above average or much above average. The reason for this could simply be an increase in confidence because of an improved body image, or a physiological reason (such as better circulation and blood flow).”

Further, a Boston University School of Medicine study found that sedentary men could significantly lower their risk of erectile dysfunction by burning at least 200 calories a day (the equivalent of walking about 2 miles briskly).

Women benefit too, says female sexuality researcher Cindy Meston, PhD, who found that women are more sexually responsive following 20 minutes of vigorous exercise. “Exercise activates the sympathetic nervous system, which encourages bloodflow to the genital region,” she says. “It’s better than a glass of wine or a bubble bath.”

While any type of exercise can do the trick, says sex therapist Laura Berman, PhD, coauthor of For Women Only, here are a few that may be more likely to get you in an amorous mood:

Pilates increases blood flow to the pelvic region.
Strength training builds and stretches your love-life muscles and boosts confidence.
Belly dancing loosens your hips and pelvis.
Taking walks together(while talking!) can do wonders for the emotional aspects of a relationship.
Yoga increases flexibility.
Salsa, tango, or swing dance lessons offer a reason to hold each other close—and set off at least a few sparks!