We all seem to be living in a world where fitness is “in.” From overhearing your coworkers talking about training for a marathon to seeing your friend’s gym selfies or post-workout shakes on social media — whatever the reason, more and more people are turning to exercise, and rightfully so. Working out is a vital part of staying healthy. It not only promotes weight loss, boosts energy levels, and keeps your bodily systems healthy but has a positive impact on your mood, mind, self-esteem, and spirit. But along with a healthy diet and the right amount of sleep, exercise can be part of a balanced lifestyle that leads to…. wait for it… better sex.
Confidence Booster
Think about it. When you’ve been working out really hard, you see yourself differently. You don’t actually have to lose any weight to start noticing changes in yourself. Exercise changes your body and your psyche. It leads to a more positive self-view, which makes you feel sexier and more confident in front of your partner.
Hyper-Enhancer
Exercise helps enhance everything. And I mean everything! When you feel at your best, you perform accordingly. Men and women who regularly work out are more likely to be turned on than their counterparts who don’t work out. Plus they are also more likely to have orgasms. Working out increases blood flow, which heightens sensitivity and boosts lubrication setting you up to have easier, more intense climaxes.
Strength Training and “Kegels”
If you watched Sex and the City, you all know about Kegels (and that Samantha apparently does her exercises under the brunch table). Doing Kegels strengthens your pelvic floor muscles, helping you “tighten up” during sex and avoid incontinence issues later on. By the way, Kegels are not only for females but males can also benefit from them. For females, they come in handy when giving birth as well. If you strength train, you’re probably working those muscles already. Besides, any sort of exercise that engages the core contracts everything from the top of the abdomen to the pelvic floor.
Strength and Flexibility Spices Things Up
A lot of times sex involves holding positions for a given amount of time, usually, until someone can’t hold it anymore. If your workouts include strength training, calisthenics, or even yoga, you can notice an improvement in your ability to hold positions for longer periods and even experiment with the new ones that you and your partner want to try. You can try playing games such as the ones taught here with your partner to spice things up as well.
Fight Off Stress and Anxiety
No one is ever “in the mood” when they’re stressed out. If you’ve got a lot on your mind and the idea of sex is less than unappealing, exercising can help clear your mind and lower your stress levels. When you’re stressed, your body responds with more cortisol which can adversely affect your interest in sex. Even a quick workout can increase your feel-good hormones and lower cortisol levels.
Better Endurance
Sex is an intimate act between two people, and you want it to last long enough that you both feel fulfilled in the end. Exercise increases your body’s overall cardio and muscular endurance leading to longer-lasting lovemaking. There are even specific exercises you can try to increase your sexual stamina.
Going for a Long Haul
For all the above reasons and more, people who regularly exercise have better sex lives as they age. It’s hard to deny that there are more challenges to sex after a certain age but there’s no reason you can’t continue enjoying an active sex life for years and years, as long as you’re taking care of your body by working out regularly and having a healthy diet.
While exercise can be a great way to cure a lot of life’s woes, just like with anything, the key is moderation, and to use proper technique. Overdoing the workouts can have the opposite effect. You can end up too tired and/or injured, which can hinder any enjoyable time with your partner. If you don’t know where to start, seek out a personal trainer or fitness program to help guide you on your fitness journey.
To a Fitter Healthier You,
The FitnAll Family (Stephanie James -contributing writer)
