We all know that exercise is good for your health, but did you know that it can also help to increase your sexual drive and performance? Regular physical activity can help to increase the production of testosterone, which is the hormone crucial to the male libido. When a man’s testosterone level begins to fall as he ages or due to other various health-related issues, a man’s sexual desire will usually start to diminish. Past studies have shown that exercise can have a positive effect on the sex drive of men. With that in mind, below are a few exercise that can help towards improve your sex life.
Weight Training: Lifting weights produces testosterone in the body which is central to the male sex drive. In fact past studies have credited short intense exercise with the increased production of testosterone. No more than 20-40 sets maximum per workout is suggested in order to ensure that you don’t overdo it with your workouts, in addition to helping prevent injury. Some weight training exercises to consider include:
- Bench press
- Bent-over row
- Stiff-legged deadlift
- Lunges
- Shoulder press
Kegels: Kegels are considered a great “sex” exercise for men because it helps to strengthen the muscles in the body’s pelvic floor. Toning the pubococcygeus (PC) muscles helps to improve both endurance and control. Kegels are simple and easy to do just about anywhere. Simply squeeze the pubococcygeus muscles for 10 to 15 seconds, relax and repeat as many times as you like or until you tire.
Aerobics: Aerobic activity such as running or jogging can help in preventing erectile dysfunction in men. A past study conducted at Harvard University found that men over the age of 50 who engaged in regular aerobic exercise decreased their risk for erectile dysfunction by as much as 30 percent. The reason that aerobic exercise is so beneficial towards increasing libido is because it keeps your blood vessels unobstructed which can result in stronger and longer sustained erections. 60 minutes a week of aerobic activity is the suggested minimum.
A word of caution however when it comes to exercise, too much can actually have the opposite effect on your libido. Adequate amounts of rest and sleep also play a large part in the increased production of testosterone. Always consult with your doctor prior to starting any kind of exercise program. Your doctor can help in developing the best exercise plan for you based on key factors such as your age, current physical health and family history.