She Strengthens

The Surprising Truth About Sex and Calorie Burn

Does Sex Really Count as Exercise?

While it’s not a replacement for your regular gym routine, sex can indeed help you burn some calories. But just how many calories are we talking about? Let’s dive in and find out.

The Calorie Burn During Sex

Research suggests that, on average, people burn around 3-4 calories per minute during sex. With the average sexual act lasting around 6 minutes, that’s a total of approximately 21 calories burned. Not bad, but not exactly a calorie-torching workout either.

Debunking the Myth: Can You Really Burn 100-300 Calories During Sex?

One study claimed that burning 100-300 calories during sex is a myth. According to their research, a 150-pound man working at a moderate intensity would burn around 3.5 calories per minute during sex, similar to walking at a 3-mile-per-hour pace. So, unless you’re going at it for at least 25 minutes, you won’t quite reach that 100-300 calorie mark.

Boosting Your Calorie Burn During Sex

Want to increase your calorie burn during sex? Here are some tips:

• Go longer: The longer you keep the intensity going, the more calories you’ll burn.
• Get sweaty: Turn up the heat and get moving to boost your calorie burn.
• Mix it up: Try different positions and contortions to give yourself a tougher workout.

The Real Benefits of Sex

While sex may not be a major calorie-burner, it comes with a range of other health benefits that are far more impressive:

• Healthy heart: A healthy sex life can lead to a healthier heart.
• Stress relief and bonding: Sex releases feel-good hormones that promote relaxation and bonding.
• Better sleep: Orgasming before bed can lead to better sleep quality.
• Stronger pelvic floor: Sex can help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, supporting your bladder, bowel, and uterus.

The Bottom Line

While sex may not be a substitute for your regular workout routine, it does come with some surprising benefits. So, enjoy sex for what it is – a fun and intimate way to connect with your partner – rather than relying on it as a calorie-burning exercise.