Exercise and Sex
From Encyclopedia of Sex and Sexuality
Modern medicine places physical inactivity among the big health risks—others being cigarette smoking and high fat and high cholesterol diets. Physical inactivity is most evident among desk workers, but also among people who tire themselves out doing repetitive and limited physical tasks. Housekeepers, painters, plumbers, and factory toilers may not derive health benefits from the work they do. Everyone needs to learn, plan, and regularly carry out exercise that is known to be good for the body and for the enjoyment of sex.
Moderation is emphasized, especially for the person who has been habitually omitting or resisting exercise much of his or her life. A sudden violent venture into athletic activity is dangerous. People who go abruptly into heroic physical performance are, of course, comic strip material. A heart attack or wrenched back are only two of the serious possibilities.
The saying “No pain, no gain,” so widely known in this age of aggressively promoted exercise, is simply a lie, and a health threatening one. You do benefit from mild exercise, which may be very gradually increased. But the first feeling of strain is the signal to stop. It may just mean that you should moderate the exercise, or, if the signal is alarming to any degree, that you should consult your doctor.
An exercise program will produce serious benefits if begun cautiously, increased very gradually, and continued regularly. It will increase blood circulation, strengthen the heart, benefit the lungs, and bring bigger supplies of oxygen to all parts of the body. The danger of heart attack and stroke will be lessened.
All systems of the body will be improved—glands, muscles, bones, nerves, and brain. The most noticeable effect will be a lightened mood and increased capacity for sustained mental work. Chronic fatigue, the couch potato’s problem, will be replaced with periods of vigorous wakefulness and restful slumber.
While all of the above is promised in good conscience, direct benefit to sexual performance is another matter. Many other things in a person’s life may be impinging on sexual activity—money problems, office worries, relationship difficulties, ingrained negative attitudes—and all can contribute to sexual dysfunctions. A program of exercise will probably enhance your sex life if it is basically healthy anyway. Enhancement is not to be disregarded, but it is not necessarily a cure.
People of very limited physical capacity, including some for whom the only possible exercise is passive exercise with the help of a physical therapist, are still capable of sexual desire and meaningful gratification. This must be remembered.
Some women have complained about partners who are obsessed with conditioning and body-building. Some exercise enthusiasts leave no time for sex, or have no erotic interest in the bodies of others. A physical culturist, like a woman obsessed with her own appearance, can be less than sexually rewarding as a sex partner. But such problems do not originate in sensible, balanced physical activity.
When you hear “moderate exercise,” do not suppose that this means never needing to pause for breath or never breaking into a sweat. Moderate means moderate for you in your present physical condition. Moderate exercise can make you feel a lovely sleepiness, and can replace caffeine for waking you up and tranquilizers for calming down. The day after one that includes a brisk walk or a jog will probably find you feeling more cheerful, less irritable, more ready to take on challenges and chores alike, than the day after a day of slothfulness.
Besides the aerobics class, or dance class, or regular swim, or a cycle workout, it is wise to try to include exercise in ordinary activities. Use the stairs when you can, instead of the elevator. Walk to the coffee shop or news stand. At work at your desk, get up now and then to stretch and take a short walk. The work you do at the desk will benefit, and so will your sex life.
