Is Sex Cardio? Or Do You Need Both?
But can you actually consider sex an exercise? And if so, is it better than a traditional cardio session?
Benefits of cardio
First off, let’s look at the key benefits of cardio.
- Trains your endurance and improves your physical health
- Leaves you burning calories even after the workout is finished
- Reduces stress levels and anxiety
- Makes you more comfortable in your own skin
- Improves the quality of your sleep
Benefits of sex
- Balances your hormones and improves your mood
- Brings you closer to your partner
- Gives you unique pleasure (if an orgasm is reached)
- Helps you sleep better, just like cardio
Sex or cardio? What burns more calories
Not all sex is the same, so it’s really hard to compare it with a cardio workout. If you’re in your twenties and full of energy, and you meet your perfect match in the bedroom, you guys can go on for hours. In that case, sex definitely burns more calories than your typical 5K run.
Average sex is not that intense though, especially if the couple has already been together for some time and they’re not doing it multiple times a night.
There are conflicting data online, but the Once team concluded that an average sexy session burns about 100 calories over 20-30 minutes of action, give or take. Swimming, running, or cycling can burn 200-300 calories, and even more sometimes, over the same time period.
As much as we hate to say it, sex is not as efficient, on average, as cardio. However, if you compare the two, you must also consider additional benefits that cardio can’t provide. Sure, you can run in the park together and get closer, but it’s just not the same as having sex together. Similarly, exercise releases good hormones and helps reduce stress, but so does sex minus the risk of injury.
Can sex replace cardio?
How about that question for an icebreaker in your dating chat?
On a more serious note, we honestly don’t think you should exclude either option. Sex is a good way to fit in a bit of movement, but it’s not the best exercise in the world. You can definitely use sex as cardio and praise your sexercise routine, but you shouldn’t forget about the “real” sports and workouts.
If you want to train your endurance, and strength, and build muscles, you’ll need more than an occasional sex cardio session. Your heart rate will not be the same during sex and lengthy cardio training. You won’t build muscle like you would with powerlifting or other types of strength exercises. And the flexibility won’t be the same either. Yes, certain muscle groups will receive an upgrade as a result of regular bedroom activity, but you’ll be severely missing out compared to your peers who hit the gym a few times a week.
Don’t get us wrong, sex is great, and we love it! However, it’s best when sex is complementary to your fitness routine, and you do not rely on it to keep you active. You’ll need much more effort and time to reach your health goals than an average American’s sex life allows. Plus, it’s not fair to rely on sex and your partner to keep you fit. Remember the key mindful dating principle – you treat people how you want to be treated. So have sex with them because you lust for them, not to lose a pound or two.
So no, we don’t recommend skipping that workout class, even if you had sex that day. It’s pretty normal to work out less if you’ve only recently moved from dating online or slow dating to an active and hot relationship, and you’re having sex all the time. With time. though, you should go back to your fitness routine to maintain your physique.
Sex is more fun, but exercise is vital to your well-being. Here’s the final tip to motivate you to work out – the stronger and leaner you are, the better lover you can be. Think about extending the act itself, the new positions you can try, and being “in the mood” more often overall. Use exercising to your sex advantage.
