It’s the saucy debate that’s got everyone hot under the collar. Can we swap gym sessions for sex and still see results?
Hundreds of Reddit users weighed in on whether getting frisky actually counts as exercise. “A workout less than five seconds? Hell nah,” one user joked, while another chimed in: “Only if you go pro.”
But for those of us tired of whiling away hours at the gym and in search of a more fun alternative, can sex really bring the same benefits as a more conventional workout? Kieran Sheridan, a physiotherapist based in the UAE, says it depends.
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“It sort of can, but it would require too much effort and time. You may need to target some muscles,” he said.
According to Sheridan, a six-minute romp will burn about 21 calories. To make it a proper workout, you’d need to be indulging in steamy sessions three or four times a day for half an hour each. That would equate to 315 to 420 calories burned per day.
However, between our busy work and social lives, squeezing in that much action is likely to be a bit of a stretch for most of us. Sticking to a more traditional workout plan that suits your body might just be the smarter move – even if it’s not quite as thrilling.
And Dr Lawrence Cunningham, a GP with UK Care Guide, also urged fitness fanatics to think twice before swapping dumbbells for duvets. He said: “To ‘count’ as a moderate workout, sexual activity would need to be vigorous and sustained, similar to brisk walking or cycling, which is rarely the case.
“The key components of fitness, such as cardiovascular endurance, strength, flexibility, and body composition, are not adequately addressed through sex alone. The intensity and duration of physical activity during sex can vary significantly, and typically, it does not meet the recommended levels of cardiovascular or strength-training guidelines suggested for health benefits.”
(Image: Getty Images)
However, both experts acknowledged intercourse has an array of health benefits even if it isn’t a gym alternative. Regular sex boosts feel-good hormones like oxytocin and serotonin, which can enhance your mood by reducing stress and anxiety.
One study even found it can bolster your immune system. Sheridan continued: “Having sex does not only increase libido and intimacy but also develop health benefits such as improved sleep, lower blood pressure, improved immune system, and [can] address anxiety.
“It’s still better to do exercises the traditional way because it can better improve your health and it will definitely target muscles and joints that you need to work on.”
Dr Cunningham added: “A balanced approach, incorporating regular cardiovascular and strength-training exercises, alongside other lifestyle measures, provides the best formula for health.”
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