You already know that exercise does wonders for your body and your mind, but did you know that exercise sessions also boost your libido? It’s true. Scientists have found a strong link between exercise and sex. But not every workout is bound to make you better in the bedroom.According to one study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, moderate exercise can boost your libido by changing your hormone levels, mood, and brain chemistry. Researchers studied a small group of women and found that after running at a reasonable pace on a treadmill they were more responsive to erotic cues. So, certain workouts might work as foreplay—even if you do them alone.SEE ALSO:17 Tips For A Better Sex LifeBut exercising with your sweetie can also provide benefits, says Pam Spurr, Ph.D., a sex and relationship expert and author of Sex Academy, Essential Lessons in Seduction and Spectacular Sex. She developed the term “beforeplay” to describe activities outside the bedroom, like exercise, that involve “a little flirting, a little teasing, and having fun with each other during the day.” She says “beforeplay” ramps up sexual tension and helps to set up the possibility of more excitement later on. “Exercise is fantastic for your sex life,” says Spurr. “Not only do you get your heart rate and circulation pumping, but you also feel more alive and you get fitter to enjoy a more active sex life.” Learning about your body and making it stronger naturally keeps you focused on your physical responses, which is crucial to experiencing full sexual pleasure, says Spurr. Almost any exercise that you do before sex is likely to provide some bedroom benefit. But, by scheduling your workouts carefully, your fitness routine can boost your performance potential as well.Researchers and experts suggest that the best workouts before sex boost your body confidence, moderately increase your heart rate, and improve flexibility. Workouts that exhaust you are better off reserved for days when you don’t have a fun night ahead with your partner. SEE ALSO: Have Great Sex Tonight
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DO: Dance-Based Workouts
Workouts that enhance rhythm are perfect pre-sex activities, according to Spurr. Take a pole dancing class, hip hop, or sign up for Zumba at your gym. You might also want to try a workout like Animal Flow, a fluid, multi-planar workout that incorporates bodyweight exercises and gymnastics. SEE ALSO:Oksana Grishina’s Total Body Pole Workout
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DO: Run
Jogging indoors on a treadmill is fine, but try a run outside with your sweetie for a deeper connection. The shared outdoor experience may promote deeper intimacy. And the longer endurance activity gives you a chance to chat—or better yet flirt—while the miles tick by.
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Do: Yoga or Mind-Body Classes
You might get the biggest sexual bang for your buck in a mind-body class for a few different reasons. “Definitely stretching and yoga classes give you a sense of well-being and make you bedroom-ready by giving you flexibility,” says Spurr. If you’re not a fan of simple stretching classes, try something more adventurous. Suspension classes like Anti-Gravity Aerial Yoga and Anti-Gravity Cocooning increase flexibility, provide relaxing time for meditation, and promote trust.SEE ALSO: The Best Yoga Poses for Weight Loss
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Don’t: CrossFit
There are few workouts that kick your body into shape as quickly or efficiently as CrossFit, but it may not be the best pre-bedroom workout. Why? Spurr says that you should skip the workout regimes that might wear you down or make you too tired for sex. SEE ALSO: All About Crossfit
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Don’t: Boot camp/HIIT/Tabata
It’s great to get your butt kicked during one of these fat-blasting workouts, but they won’t leave much emotional or physical energy for your partner. In fact, they may even have a negative impact on your relationship with exercise. A new study suggests that too much high-intensity exercise may derail your long-term commitment to fitness.SEE ALSO: 17 Exciting Hiit Workouts To Try When Your Routine Gets Boring
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Don’t: Cycling
An indoor cycling class is great for your lower body, and the calorie-burning potential is off the charts. But bouncing around in the saddle can leave your sexy bits somewhat sore—especially if you’re not used to the bike. Save indoor cycling for the evenings when you’re flying solo.
You already know that exercise does wonders for your body and your mind, but did you know that exercise sessions also boost your libido? It’s true. Scientists have found a strong link between exercise and sex. But not every workout is bound to make you better in the bedroom.
According to one study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, moderate exercise can boost your libido by changing your hormone levels, mood, and brain chemistry. Researchers studied a small group of women and found that after running at a reasonable pace on a treadmill they were more responsive to erotic cues. So, certain workouts might work as foreplay—even if you do them alone.
But exercising with your sweetie can also provide benefits, says Pam Spurr, Ph.D., a sex and relationship expert and author of Sex Academy, Essential Lessons in Seduction and Spectacular Sex. She developed the term “beforeplay” to describe activities outside the bedroom, like exercise, that involve “a little flirting, a little teasing, and having fun with each other during the day.” She says “beforeplay” ramps up sexual tension and helps to set up the possibility of more excitement later on.
“Exercise is fantastic for your sex life,” says Spurr. “Not only do you get your heart rate and circulation pumping, but you also feel more alive and you get fitter to enjoy a more active sex life.” Learning about your body and making it stronger naturally keeps you focused on your physical responses, which is crucial to experiencing full sexual pleasure, says Spurr. Almost any exercise that you do before sex is likely to provide some bedroom benefit. But, by scheduling your workouts carefully, your fitness routine can boost your performance potential as well.
Researchers and experts suggest that the best workouts before sex boost your body confidence, moderately increase your heart rate, and improve flexibility. Workouts that exhaust you are better off reserved for days when you don’t have a fun night ahead with your partner.
Workouts that enhance rhythm are perfect pre-sex activities, according to Spurr. Take a pole dancing class, hip hop, or sign up for Zumba at your gym. You might also want to try a workout like Animal Flow, a fluid, multi-planar workout that incorporates bodyweight exercises and gymnastics.
Jogging indoors on a treadmill is fine, but try a run outside with your sweetie for a deeper connection. The shared outdoor experience may promote deeper intimacy. And the longer endurance activity gives you a chance to chat—or better yet flirt—while the miles tick by.
Do: Yoga or Mind-Body Classes
You might get the biggest sexual bang for your buck in a mind-body class for a few different reasons. “Definitely stretching and yoga classes give you a sense of well-being and make you bedroom-ready by giving you flexibility,” says Spurr. If you’re not a fan of simple stretching classes, try something more adventurous. Suspension classes like Anti-Gravity Aerial Yoga and Anti-Gravity Cocooning increase flexibility, provide relaxing time for meditation, and promote trust.
There are few workouts that kick your body into shape as quickly or efficiently as CrossFit, but it may not be the best pre-bedroom workout. Why? Spurr says that you should skip the workout regimes that might wear you down or make you too tired for sex.
It’s great to get your butt kicked during one of these fat-blasting workouts, but they won’t leave much emotional or physical energy for your partner. In fact, they may even have a negative impact on your relationship with exercise. A new study suggests that too much high-intensity exercise may derail your long-term commitment to fitness.
An indoor cycling class is great for your lower body, and the calorie-burning potential is off the charts. But bouncing around in the saddle can leave your sexy bits somewhat sore—especially if you’re not used to the bike. Save indoor cycling for the evenings when you’re flying solo.
