Exercise to have better sex!
Follow H&F fitness expert Lucy Wyndham-Reed's tips for better sex today!
When you finally flop into bed after a busy day, it’s no surprise if a good night’s sleep is all you feel up to, but research from the University of Texas, Austin, shows that exercise can give you more energy and improve life between the sheets.
‘Working out three to four times a week can do a lot to help your sexual technique, flexibility and endurance,’ says H&Fs personal trainer Lucy Wyndham-Read (lwrfitness.com). ‘Not only does it give you fantastic body confidence, it also strengthens the smaller, stabilising muscles in your lower body and pelvis, which are vital for sexual function. Exercise also boosts your cardiovascular system and improves circulation, for that added bedroom bliss.’
By practising your Kegel exercises on a regular basis, you’ll gain greater control over your pelvic floor muscles and get more sexual satisfaction. To do Kegels, first you need to locate your pubococcygeus (PC) muscles by interrupting your urine flow when going to the toilet. Once you are familiar with your PC muscles, you can do Kegel exercises anytime and anywhere. Simply contract the muscles for 10 seconds, then relax. Do as many reps as you can before tiring. Try them when you have spare time – waiting in a queue or on your commute!
Researchers at the University of Texas studied a group of 35 women aged between 18 and 34. On two separate occasions the women watched a short X-rated film. For the first part of study, the women cycled vigorously for 20 minutes before watching the film; for the second, they didn’t. The researchers found that the participants’ sexual response was 169 per cent greater after exercising. A huge increase for a short 20-minute workout!
FUN FACTS!88 - the number of calories you burn per hour of sex – not bad for having a little fun!
20 minutes’ exercise is all you need to enhance your sexual arousal. Aim to keep your heart rate to a minimum of 70 per cent maximum heart rate during exercise for maximum benefits.
30% improvement in your immune function if you have sex every week.
4 main vitamins are proven to aid your libido – vitamin E, vitamin B, vitamin C and zinc.
54% of men think about sex several times a day.
20,160 minutes is the average amount of time a person spends kissing during their lifetime. Yay!
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