Did you know? You can burn up to 200 calories in one session of sex!
Many people may not realize that sex is not only a great way to connect emotionally, but it can also be a fun way to exercise. Scientific studies have...
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Many people may not realize that sex is not only a great way to connect emotionally, but it can also be a fun way to exercise. Scientific studies have shown that a single session of sex of average duration can burn about 150 to 200 calories, which is close to what you’d burn if you […]Show Less
Many people may not realize that sex is not only a great way to connect emotionally, but it can also be a fun way to exercise. Scientific studies have shown that a single session of sex of average duration can burn about 150 to 200 calories, which is close to what you’d burn if you went for a 20-minute jog (source: New England Journal of Medicine). So it’s a double whammy: enjoying intimate time and achieving your “exercise and fitness” goals at the same time!
How does sex burn calories?
During sex, our bodies perform the following activities to help burn calories:
1. Heart rate acceleration
According to the American College of Cardiology, during sex, the heart rate usually increases to 110 to 130 beats per minute, which is similar to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise.
2. Whole Body Engaged in Exercise
Different postures and movements will mobilize the core, legs, arms and other muscle groups, like a mild strength training.
3. Hormonal regulation
Scientists have found that after sex the body will release dopamine and oxytocin, which not only brings pleasure, but also promotes metabolism and accelerates calorie consumption (source: U.S. National Library of Medicine).
4. Calorie consumption in different positions
Interestingly, the choice of position during sex also has a direct impact on the level of calorie consumption. Here are some common positions for calorie consumption reference:
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- Woman on top: the dominant partner needs more movement, calorie consumption can be up to 180-200 calories.
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- Standing Position: Due to the need for lower limb and core strength, calorie consumption can be as high as 250 calories or more.
How to make sex more “fit”?
If you want to make sex a more efficient “fat-burning exercise”, you can try the following methods:
1. Extend the duration
Generally speaking, the longer the duration of sex, the higher the calorie consumption. However, the focus of sex is always the enjoyment of each other, do not sacrifice emotional communication for “fitness”.
2. Try different positions
Each position on the muscle exercise is different, try more changes, not only to increase the fun, but also exercise the whole body.
3. Incorporate more foreplay and afterplay.
Like kissing, touching and hugging, these foreplay actions can also help you burn more calories during sex.
Other health benefits of sex
In addition to burning calories, sex has many additional health benefits:
Reduces Stress: According to research published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine, sex can significantly reduce levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), making you feel more relaxed and happy.
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- Boosts the immune system: Regular weekly sex can boost immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels and boost immunity (Journal of Psychological Science).
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- Improves sleep: Oxytocin released after orgasm helps to fast-track deep sleep, which studies have shown to be especially effective for insomniacs (source: National Sleep Foundation).
Health Alert: Balancing Sex and Exercise
While sex burns calories, it’s not a complete replacement for regular exercise. Making sex a part of your daily health habits, paired with proper cardio and strength training, can really improve your physical condition.
