4 Workouts to Improve Your Love Life
Title: 4 Workouts to Improve Your Love Life , By: Stanten, Michele, Yeager, Selene, Prevention, 00328006, May2003, Vol. 55, Issue 5
Section: FITNESS NEWS
These moves can help get your groove back
Sex life in a slump? Put down the Harlequin, and pick up your sneakers. Research shows that a little huffing and puffing in the gym can lead to more heavy breathing in the bedroom. “Exercise makes you feel better and improves your energy level and self-image,” says American Council on Exercise spokesman Richard Cotton. Exercise also keeps your “equipment” in better running condition.
A Boston University School of Medicine study found that sedentary men could significantly lower their risk of erectile dysfunction by burning at least 200 calories a day (the equivalent of walking about 2 miles briskly). Women benefit too, says female sexuality researcher Cindy Meston, PhD, who found that women are more sexually responsive following 20 minutes of vigorous exercise.
“Exercise activates the sympathetic nervous system, which encourages bloodflow to the genital region,” she says. “It’s better than a glass of wine or a bubble bath.” While any type of exercise can do the trick, says sex therapist Laura Berman, PhD, coauthor of For Women Only (Henry Holt, 2001), here are a few that may be more likely to get you in an amorous mood.
- Salsa or swing dance lessons. All that holding each other close has to set off at least a few sparks!
- Pilates increases bloodflow to the pelvic region.
- Belly dancing loosens your hips and pelvis.
- Yoga increases flexibility.
- Doubles tennis builds teamwork–as long as one of you isn’t too competitive.
- Taking walks together. Talking while you walk together is a great aphrodisiac, and it can do wonders for all aspects of a relationship.
- Strength training builds and stretches your love-life muscles and boosts confidence.
Try these moves to get started. Do two sets of 10 reps, two or three times a week.
RAISED-LEG CRUNCHES
Lie on your back with your feet up on a chair or exercise ball, knees bent at a 90-degree angle. Place your hands lightly behind your head. Contract your abs, and raise your head and shoulders off the floor. Hold, then lower.
BENEFIT: core body stability and a flatter belly
LYING PRESS-UPS
Lie facedown with your feet together, toes pointed, and palms on the floor just in front of your shoulders. Lift your chin, and gently extend your arms, lifting your upper body off the floor as far as comfortably possible. Keep your hips on the floor. If you feel any strain in your back, keep your elbows bent and your forearms on the floor.
BENEFIT flexible muscles that move easier
SUPERMANS (OR SUPERWOMANS!)
Lie facedown on the floor with your arms extended overhead, toes pointed. Slowly raise your right arm and left leg as high as comfortably possible. Pause, lower, then repeat with the opposite arm and leg. When this becomes easy, try lifting both arms and legs at the same time.
BENEFIT: a stronger, more flexible back
BALL PUSH-UPS
Assume a push-up position with your shins resting on an exercise ball. Your hands should be directly below your shoulders. Bend your elbows, and lower your chest toward the floor. Stop when your upper arms are parallel to the floor. Pause, then push back up. If this is too strenuous, try bent knee push-ups on the floor.
BENEFIT: upper body strength and stamina
Exercisers Make Better Lovers!
Here’s what exercise does for you.
- Improves circulation, which helps prevent sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction
- Gives you more energy
- Tones muscles, burns fat, and helps you feel better about your body
- Boosts your mood and sense of well-being
- Builds strong and flexible muscles, so you’ll be less worried about hurting yourself
- Provides physical fun you can have with your mate, so you feel closer.
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By Michele Stanten
with Selene Yeager
Michele Stanten is Prevention’s fitness editor.
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Source: Prevention, May2003, Vol. 55 Issue 5, p76, 2p
