Move your body, get your heart pumping, and have fun doing it.
That’s a definition of exercise many people can agree on.
But doesn’t it also sound like… sex?
So, does having sex count as working out? My Lubie investigated this burning question:
Is sex a form of exercise? Ready? 1, 2, 3: go!
Sex and sport — same thing?
It’s something you’ve probably noticed: during sex, your heart rate goes up, you’re out of breath, and your blood pressure rises. Think of an erection—clearly a result of increased blood flow.
From this point of view, the body reacts similarly to sex and physical activity: the entire rhythm of your body changes.
But let’s not get carried away! To get the same health benefits from sex as from a workout, your sexual activity would need to be very intense, frequent, and involve multiple positions.
In short: sex = moderate physical activity.
It’s better than nothing, sure, but it won’t replace weight training, a jog, or 30 minutes on a rowing machine.
Disappointed? Don’t be. Keep reading—you’ll see that sex still has a real positive impact on your metabolism, seriously!
Sex strengthens your muscles
Even if it’s not a sport in the strict sense, sex works out a wide range of muscles, which is good news for your sexual health.
This is especially true for the pelvic floor (perineum)—a key muscle in both women and men.
Heavily engaged during sex, a strong pelvic floor can greatly enhance pleasure by giving you more control over contractions.
A toned pelvic floor also helps:
-
prevent urinary leaks
-
reduce pain during vaginal penetration
-
delay premature ejaculation
So yes, sex does build muscle—at least in some important areas!
Burn calories between the sheets
Losing weight while staying in bed with your partner? Yes, please!
While sex won’t burn as many calories as a gym session, it can still burn up to 200 calories in 30 minutes. Not bad, right?
Researchers in Quebec even studied how much energy we use during sex.
Their findings? Moderate to intense sex burns more calories than a brisk walk.
Another fun fact from the study: men and women don’t burn the same amount of calories during sex.
Men average about 101 calories in 25 minutes of intercourse, while women burn only 69 calories (no joke!).
Make love, protect your heart
Just like working out, having sex is good for your heart health.
By building endurance, you reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Even the French Federation of Cardiology agrees: sex has very positive effects on your health beyond just mental well-being.
Got a fragile heart? No worries—heart attacks during sex are extremely rare.
Still concerned? Try slow sex—focus on connection, not performance.
Less stress and fatigue thanks to sex (and sport)
During sex, your brain releases feel-good hormones that lower your cortisol (the stress hormone).
And guess what? The same thing happens during your favorite workout!
Less stress means more pleasure—why athletes feel great post-workout is the same reason you feel blissful after an orgasm.
Exercise boosts your libido
Here’s where sex and sport are totally aligned: both are libido boosters.
Physical activity improves your overall health, and when you feel good in your body, you're more likely to crave intimacy, connect with your partner, or try out that clitoral stimulator you've been eyeing.
Someone who works out regularly will also have more endurance, both in and out of bed, than a sedentary person.
Dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin—these hormones are released during any kind of physical exertion, and yes, that includes sex.
Final word
Sex can’t replace a real workout and isn’t a competitive sport—but the two are deeply connected.
Physical activity often leads to better sexual health, and vice versa.
Even if you’re not aiming for top physical performance in the bedroom, you’ll still reap plenty of health benefits.
And remember: pleasure is what matters most!
Written by: Caroline Bédi
