When it comes to the most enjoyable form of exercise, sex is the clear winner. Whether you try various adventurous poses or keep it simple, you could be burning a significant amount of calories while you are doing the deed.
“Passionate kissing by itself can burn about two calories a minute. You may end up burning as much as some of the less intense 15-minute programs.”
LoveHoney’s sex interest, Cooper, adds that sex can “tune all kinds of muscles.”
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“Be sure to add foreplay as a warm-up to your sex session,” she advises. “Not only will this prepare your body, but it can burn up to 100 calories per hour.”
So which sexual position burns the most calories? The so-called “butter spread” comes out on top. Not for the stiff. Basically, the woman lies on her back with her legs raised above and behind her head. Then her partner sits down and penetrates her from above.
These positions are estimated to burn up to 211 calories per half hour, according to Healthcare website from Mars who shared their findings from a sexual exercise calculator designed just for them.
Secondly, a standing position that can burn up to 198 calories in 30 minutes. However, according to previous research, this position leads to one of the lowest rates of orgasm (17%) for women.
Doggy style is where it ranks third, with up to 182 calories burned in half an hour. Fortunately for women, the position that research has shown brings most women to orgasm (79%).
Spooning may not seem like the most energetic of positions, but even this position is estimated to burn up to 100 calories per 30 minutes.
And even oral sex can be a calorie burner with the “69” position burning up to 78 calories.
“For the reverse cowgirl, you’ll want to make sure you stretch beforehand,” says Javay Frye-Nekrasova, sex educator at LoveHoney. “If your legs aren’t used to staying squatted for extended periods of time, this is the best way to reduce your chances of sudden cramps. If you know you’re going to want to do the cowgirl inversion more often, then adding some leg exercises to your regiment would be an idea. good.”
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For a standing position, she adds, you shouldn’t be afraid to use extra support. “If you’re standing against a wall, you can add a pillow for comfort. You can stand up and use a table or chair for extra support.”
As for the doggy style, Frye-Nekrasova says it can be helpful to strengthen your wrists if you’re going to hold yourself for an extended period of time.
“You can also add pillows to the sex position for more comfort and stability in doggy style. You can stretch before doggy style by doing baby yoga poses,” she advises.
Burning calories and staying fit aren’t the only health benefits of sex. Research has shown that engaging in sexual intercourse can help lower blood pressure, promote better sleep quality, reduce physical and mental stress, as well as improve self-esteem.
“The feel-good or happy hormones that are released during sexual activity are one of the psychological benefits of sex. Endorphins and oxytocin are released which can help you relax more,” Frye-Nekrasova explains. Other psychological benefits include stress relief, a stronger immune system, and a better night’s sleep.
Sex is also a great exercise for a woman’s pelvic floor muscles — the muscles that control orgasms and also stop urine flow, reducing leakage and incontinence.
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Pregnancy and menopause can greatly weaken these muscles, but the stronger they are, the lower the risk of developing stress incontinence and prolapse later.
Several studies have found that regular sex can prevent heart attacks, not trigger them as was once feared.
And sex can actually help make you look younger since estrogen gets pumped out during sex, which in turn can have a plumping effect on the skin, helping to smooth those fine lines.
As if we needed an excuse to replace the gym with our beds…
This article was first published in May 2022 and has been updated
Watch: The best sex positions for weight loss