It’s common knowledge that regular exercise delivers a bounty of benefits for women. Disease prevention, improved moods, and weight management are just a few of the positive effects of working up a sweat with a regular exercise program.
But did you know that regular exercise can improve your sex life and have a positive impact on your sexual health?
It’s true! Whether you deal with sexual dysfunction, low libido, or neither of the above, exercise can help to enhance sexual performance and enjoyment by increasing blood flow to the genitals, improving flexibility, and reducing stress levels.
So if you’re looking to amp up the spice in your sex life, hitting the gym could ultimately lead to better sex for you (and your partner).
Exercise can help to increase libido
Research has demonstrated a strong correlation between acute exercise and increased physiological sexual arousal in women¹. That’s because physical activity positively affects a variety of hormones, such as cortisol, oestrogen, prolactin, oxytocin, and testosterone. All of which have been linked to increased libido and sexual desire in women.
Acute exercise is defined as physical bouts of higher intensity over a short timeframe of work, whereas chronic exercise includes physical activity sustained over a longer period of time. Both styles of workouts — acute and chronic — can impact a woman’s sexual function, with intensity and frequency of exercise showing importance in increasing sexual arousal, sexual desire, increased sexual activity, and orgasm frequency in women.
Exercise reduces stress and anxiety
Exercise is well-known to boost mood and decrease stress, depression, and anxiety, causing an indirect effect of improved sexual satisfaction.
A study revealed that, among sexually active university students, 20 minutes of physical activity at least 3 times a week was associated with higher levels of sexual satisfaction². So, if you’re chasing a better sex life, a regular exercise regimen could be the answer to your dirty dreams.
Not only does exercise help to reduce stress and anxiety, which are both major libido killers that can cause performance anxiety in the bedroom, but regular sessions at the gym can also boost sexual well-being and sexual satisfaction by improving mood and increasing energy levels.
Aerobic exercise, in particular, influences mood by stimulating serotonin activity in the brain, which increases tryptophan in the blood³. There is also some evidence suggesting that resistance-based exercise has similar effects⁴.
Exercise can improve body image and self-confidence
Simple exercise science says that when you move your body and get the endorphins flowing, you’re one step closer to improving your body image, self-esteem, and self-confidence. And when you feel good about yourself, you’re bound to feel more sexually desirable and, in turn, have an increased sexual desire.
It is reasonable to expect that women who feel more positively about their bodies are also likely to experience less distraction during sex, allowing themselves to be more present and engage more fully in the sexual experience (rather than living in their heads). Poor body image is also associated with sexual avoidance, which, if we’re completely honest, is a total dampener on your sex life.
So, if you want to replace a negative body image with a positive body image, make the commitment to exercise regularly. You’ll not only notice results in your physical appearance but also in the way you feel about yourself.
Don’t take our word for it; research has shown that women who engage in frequent exercise have lower levels of body dissatisfaction than those who exercise less often⁵. For example, a study published in the “Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology” found that women who participated in an aerobic exercise program exhibited significant gains in body esteem over the course of a 10-week study compared to women in a social psychology course who did not experience such gains. These results suggest that regular exercise can have a positive impact on body image and self-esteem in women.
Regular exercise can lead to increased energy levels
Hitting the gym is a great way to increase heart rate and energy levels, which can translate into a better sex life for you and your lover. We get that sexual activity is the last thing anyone wants to do when they’re feeling tired or fatigued, but when you exercise, your body releases endorphins – the feel-good hormone – that boost mood and energy levels.
Exercise also helps to improve sleep quality, further contributing towards increased energy levels. And, if you continue with your exercise regime over time, you’ll enjoy the benefit of improved overall fitness level, which can lead to more sustainable energy levels throughout the day, and night.
So, if you’re looking for a way to boost your energy levels and feel happier, consider adding some regular exercise into your lifestyle. You may be surprised at just how much of a difference it can make!
Physical activity boosts blood flow and circulation
Aerobic workouts – such as walking, running, cycling, or swimming – have shown to increase circulation and good blood flow. When cardiovascular health improves, blood vessels open to allow blood to flow more freely to the genitals, which is vital for good arousal.
In short, the more you exercise, the more likely you’ll want to have more sex, more often. And if you have a male partner who experiences erectile dysfunction, working out together can provide a double-whammy of improved sexual performance and desire.
How to exercise more and improve your sex drive
If you don’t exercise regularly, start slowly. You don’t want to start on an overly-ambitious high, only to fall back into old habits when you find yourself waking up sore every morning with extreme muscle pain from muscle activity performed days prior.
Alternate between cardio workouts, such as walking, running, and swimming, and resistance training where you may use weights, kettlebells, or your own body weight for exercises like squats and push-ups. Whatever form of exercise you choose, make sure it increases your heart rate, and you’ll feel sexy in no time!
