Want to give your sex life an added boost? It's as simple as hitting the gym. Exercise increases energy, tones your muscles, burns fat and improves your mood and self-image. But for more reasons than you may know, exercise can also improve your sex life. For instance, research shows that if you burn as little as 200 additional calories a day, you can lower your risk of erectile dysfunction. In addition to cardio and strength training, stretching is also loosens you up, enabling you to experiment with different positions. So even if you already have a pretty great sex life, try incorporating these 13 exercises and stretches into your workout routine and reap the benefits in the bedroom.
KEGELS
You read that right. Kegels are a beneficial exercise for men, too. They improve endurance and control by toning and strengthening the pubococcygeus (PC) muscles (the muscles that stop the flow of urine) and the perineal muscles (the muscles that support erectile rigidity and provide the power behind ejaculation). “Pelvic floor muscle training can prove helpful in many situations: overactive bladder, erectile dysfunction [and] premature ejaculation," says Andrew L. Siegel, M.D., co-creator of the Private Gym pelvic floor muscle-training program for men. HOW TO DO THEM: Start by interrupting the flow of urine when going to the bathroom to get familiar with the PC muscles. Once you’re familiar with them, your goal will be to progressively increase the squeeze duration, intensity and number of reps until you tire. But when you do them, don’t hold your breath, push down or tighten your stomach, buttocks or thigh muscles. Work up to five-second squeezes, relaxing in between each contraction, for 10 to 20 reps.
2 PLANK POSE
Holding a plank is one most effective ways to increase your endurance and stamina at the gym and in the bedroom. Planks give your arms staying power for missionary or other on-top positions. They also strengthen your core, which helps to improve thrust and supports your back to prevent injury. HOW TO DO IT: Start at the top of a push-up with your hands shoulder-width apart, arms strong and pelvis level. Think of your body as a solid wooden plank. While there, engage the abs, squeeze the inner thighs and butt cheeks together, tighten the quads and press the heels back so the feet are flexed. Hold for at least 20 seconds and work up to two minutes at a time. Do one to 10 reps a day, depending on the length of your plank holds. You can modify the pose by doing your plank on your knees, keeping the arms fully extended to the floor or by doing plank on your forearms. For an added challenge, place one foot heel to toe on top of the other and hold for 10 seconds, and then switch legs without compromising form in the rest of your body.
3 STABILITY-BALL CRUNCHES
This variation of the standard abdominal crunch requires balance and stability and targets your core. A stronger core improves your thrusting ability and strengthens your back, which can often be injured during sex, and the ability to balance in a variety of sex positions. HOW TO DO THEM: Place your middle to lower back on a large stability ball, with your feet (about hip- or shoulder-distance apart) planted firmly on the floor. Place your fingertips behind the nape of your neck, roll the shoulders back and slowly, while lifting through the chest, raise your upper body until your abdominal muscles tighten. Take it as high as you can manage without compromising form. Slowly return to your starting position and repeat. Work up to three sets of 30 crunches.
4 LYING LEG RAISES
Lying leg raises provide an intense core workout, which helps improve thrust and provide mild engagement in the quads and glutes, helping you last longer in upright positions. HOW TO DO THEM: Lie flat on your back with your legs stretched out in front of you. If you have any back issues, fold a towel and put it under the small of your back. With precision and control, raise your straight legs up toward the ceiling and stop when your legs are perpendicular to your body and the floor. Then, slowly lower your legs back down until they are about an inch off the floor. If the exercise feels too easy, try to lower more slowly. Repeat five times then rest for 30 seconds. Start with three sets and increase repetitions and sets as you get stronger. To modify this exercise, start with your legs bent at the knees and calves parallel to the floor. From there, straighten the legs to the ceiling then slowly lower the legs back into the bent-knee position. Lower your bent legs toward the floor until the toes are an inch from the ground. Return to the start and repeat.
5 PUSH-UPS
Push-ups strengthen your upper body and core, providing increased all-around endurance and enabling you to rock those on-top positions during sex. If you commit to doing them regularly, you’ll notice a difference in your staying power, your ability to maintain a strong thrust and your overall core and upper-body strength during sex. HOW TO DO THEM: Begin in a plank position, hands directly under the shoulders and feet hip-distance apart. Do not allow your pelvis to sag too low or lift too high. Lower your chest to the floor and slowly press back up. Do as many of these as you can manage at least twice a week. To modify, take your feet slightly wider apart or drop to your knees, keeping a solid plank position from your neck to your knees. For added intensity, bring your feet together and your hands in slightly. Try adding a clap between push-ups or do one-armed push-ups if you’re feeling really strong.