Does Sex Actually Count As A Workout?

Young gym Couple Kisses in the Gym During Exercise.

Photo: Getty Images

As we roll into the new year one of the biggest resolutions to be healthier. Eating right and of course working out. Walking, running, lifting weights. Sex? 

Many believe that sex can be a workout. But is it really?

Maxim posted an article that points out a couple of studies that say yes it is a workout. But at the end of the day, it's not much of a workout. 

Their first piece of evidence comes from a 1960s study that shows that having sex does increase your heart rate, blood pressure, yada yada yada, so does exercise. The second piece comes from 2013 where 21 couples were tested for doing 30 minutes on a treadmill and then having sex once a week. 

The result of that second study?

"Data analysis showed having sex qualifies as a “moderate intensity” activity. It's more or less the energy expenditure equivalent of walking uphill or playing tennis, but burns about half as many calories as running on the treadmill."

So yes, having sex can count as exercise. But it will likely only burn off 20 or so calories. Basically, keep exercising, but it's healthy to incorporate sex into your life. 



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