Need another reason to start your fitness journey? You’ll want to sit tight.  

From firing up your sex hormones to getting your blood pumping, there’s more to the connection between exercise and sexual arousal than you might think. Let's break it down and iron out the nitty-gritty science of why exercise might just be your new aphrodisiac.

The Science of Exercise Making You Horny

First off, it’s important to understand how exercise affects your body. When you engage in any physical activity, hormonal changes occur. As it turns out, these hormones ramp up your sex drive —but there’s more to the story than a simple Y/N. Here’s how and why exercise can be a better pre-sex game plan than setting up a sexy playlist… but, let’s be real, we suggest doing both. ;)

#1 Increased Blood Flow to the Genital Area

You know how you feel warm and tingly after a good workout? That's your blood rushing to your muscles, heart, and, yes, your NSFW parts. This increased blood flow can, in turn, heighten sexual arousal. Think of it like charging your batteries—more blood flow means more sensitivity, preparing you to light up like the 4th of July (Thanks for the metaphor, Katy Perry).

#2 Boosts Sex Hormones Like Testosterone

Testosterone is a hormone that fuels sex drive, and yes, ladies, that goes for you as well! Exercise is a surefire way to get testosterone flowing, especially if you’re doing any resistance training, like lifting heavy weights. Science shows that Testosterone levels are directly tied to your libido… and hey, who are we to deny the facts?

Regular, intense exercises, like HIIT or weight training, can spike testosterone and other sex hormones, making you feel ready to jump into bed after your workout (and a shower, of course). While your sexual hormone levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day, getting a good workout will certainly give them an extra nudge in the right direction.

So, Which Workouts Should You Do For Increased Libido?

Resistance Training

When it comes to a spicy sex life, resistance training is one key ingredient. While lifting heavy gives you sex appeal with muscles in all the right places, it’s also a hormone-balancing, stress-busting, endorphin-pumping magic trick. It cranks up testosterone, kicks stress to the curb, and floods your body with those feel-good vibes. Bottom line? Resistance training doesn’t just make you stronger; it gets your libido fired up and your bedroom performance on point.

And if you’re wondering whether there’s a magic time window where exercise-induced arousal is at its peak, studies suggest just 20 minutes of moderate exercise can level up your sexual readiness. Yep, just 20 minutes! So, if you’re pressed for time, there’s still hope for getting your blood flowing before a booty call.

Cardio

Exercise is like a multi-benefit tonic for your body. Cardiovascular workouts, like running, swimming, or cycling, will keep your sexual endurance going all night long, literally. Improved cardiovascular health means more stamina, better blood flow, and a reduced risk of erectile dysfunction. 

So before you kick cardio out of the equation, just remember that cardio is a pro at helping with blood flow, which helps with enhanced sensitivity and erections.

Intense Exercises 

If you’ve ever experienced exercise-induced arousal, you’re not alone. This phenomenon, sometimes referred to as “coregasm” (yes, it's really a thing), can occur when engaging in particularly intense exercises, especially those that involve your core muscles. Exercises like leg raises, squats, or crunches can sometimes bring about spontaneous sexual arousal or even orgasm. It’s not common, but for some lucky folks, a solid ab workout might lead to some unexpected, er, side effects. If that’s not reason enough to get to the gym… then frankly, we don’t know what is. 

The Feel-Good Benefits

Ever notice how much better you feel after a workout? That’s because exercise releases endorphins, the natural “feel-good” hormones that make you feel like nothing could ever get you down (unless it’s the good kind of getting down.) As a bonus, exercise reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol, AKA the passion-killer. Basically, more happiness and less stress = a healthy desire for hot sex more often.

Sexual Medicine Backs It Up

Forget apples. At Woo, we like to think that sex every day keeps the doctor away. Okay, maybe not literally, but the field of sexual medicine has taken a good look at the relationship between exercise and sex drive, and the answer is loud and clear: staying active can improve your sexual health in a number of ways. Not only does exercise help reduce the risk of conditions like erectile dysfunction, but it also increases overall sexual satisfaction.

A review published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found proof that regular physical activity can lead to an enhanced sense of sexual arousal and satisfaction in both men and women. So, while hitting the gym might not instantly turn you into a sexual dynamo, the long-term effects are undeniable.

Sex and Exercise Work Both Ways

Here’s a fun fact: sexual activity is, in itself, a form of exercise. Sexercise, if you will. Sex burns calories and improves cardiovascular health, flexibility, and mood. And let’s not forget that regular sexual activity can keep your sex hormones at healthy levels, further fueling the desire fire. So, in a way, it’s a feedback loop—exercise boosts sex drive, and sex is another form of exercise. Win-win!

Takeaway: Does Exercise Make You Horny?

The answer is a resounding: hell yes! Whether through increased blood flow, balanced sex hormones, or the sheer mood-boosting effects of those feel-good endorphins, exercise is a fantastic way to improve your sex drive and overall sexual health.

Just 20 minutes of moderate exercise can make a difference, but the more consistent you are, the more benefits you’ll reap.

So, the next time you’re feeling a little sluggish in the bedroom, try hitting the gym first—you might be surprised by the results. Time to grab those weights, lace up your running shoes, and let your libido thank you later.