If you haven’t ever considered it, your girlfriend definitely has. How many calories does sex burn? While not always, it most certainly can be a wildly strenuous activity. The heart rate increases. Breath intake is sharper. You may even get a cramp. These are all the same symptoms of exercise. Common sense says there must be an ample amount of calories burned just out of sheer effort. Why do some people think because sex ends in an orgasm it is any less physically challenging than some other types of physical activity? Even if you aren’t the one putting in most of the effort, you’re still experiencing a fair amount of muscle stimulation and heart rate fluctuations. So, how many calories does sex burn off realistically? It depends on the position, velocity, and duration, but its probably more than you think.

The Stats

This question has been batted around for years. The truth is, there are just too many variables to give any sort of safe estimate. Any little thing can change the statistic drastically. However, there are some very fundamental yard sticks that apply. Men, on the average, burn roughly 100 calories per sexual interlude. Women burn a modest 69 in comparison. This is where we see the most obvious ways these stats are hard to build because the length of the session has a great impact on the number of calories burned.

Assume the Position

Different sexual positions burn off more calories than others. Another similarity to exercising. Even Khloe Kardashian has been quoted as saying reverse cowgirl burns the most calories. The deciding factor here is if you are the one on the top or the bottom. The person on top in a missionary position will burn about 150 calories in 30 minutes of lovemaking. Whoever is on the bottom burns a measly 50 calories and still has to worry about working off the chili-cheese fries from lunch. It’s a great ab workout if you’re on top, too. The upper body, hips, and core all engage. The same goes for men with doggy-style, although women can burn almost 100 calories for 30 minutes. If she goes full-on cowgirl, you going to have to intentionally get rid of those calories by thrusting you hips up in several reps and flexing the ab muscles. Both sexes burn about 100 calories while spooning.

• Missionary – 150
• Doggy-style 150
• Cowgirl – 0
• Spooning – 100
• Legs-up – 130
• Against a wall – 145

Figuring Out the Question “How Many Calories Does Sex Burn?

This is a very common question and something that people discuss a lot. The information comes from all sorts of different places in varying degrees of dependability and relevance. Surprisingly, there have been some important studies on the issue including a 2013 study by the University of Montreal who asked their study group to wear sex-fitness trackers while having sex. It showed men burn approximately 4.2 calories per minute. Women only burn 3.1. Another 2013 study, this one in the New England Journal of Medicine, debunked it all claiming that sex only lasts bout 6 minutes and isn’t burning any significant number of calories at all.

Oral History

In the category of unusual stats you don’t hear every day, performing oral sex burns roughly 100 calories per 30 minutes. You can burn even more by incorporating a few push-ups during the action. Go the other route and throw in some yoga poses to boost the burn. Downward facing dog and planks are fantastic ways to add calorie burning power to your sexy workout.

What it all boils down to is having sex burns about as many calories as a leisurely stroll in the park. It isn’t going to make you buff, but its better than sitting on the couch. You definitely burn calories during sex unless you are just lying there without movement. That isn’t the biggest health benefit of sex though. Sex has a lot of surprising benefits including

• Boosts the immune system
• Increases libido
• Lowers blood pressure
• Lowers risk of heart attack
• Acts as a pain reliever
• Improves gallbladder control in women
• Reduces risk of prostate cancer

Like many things in life, sex is good for you in moderation. Enjoy it while you can.