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ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
5 Exercises Men Can Do for Better Sex
Move over, Viagra: Regular exercise could be the best medicine for a man to improve his sex life.
Jan Sheehan
By Jan Sheehan
Medically Reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH
Last Updated: March 12, 2012
Medically Reviewed
You know that working out is good for your health. But did you know that hitting the gym could also help you have better sex? "Working out three to four times a week can do a lot to help your sexual technique, flexibility, and endurance," says Pete McCall, MS, an exercise physiologist and personal trainer for the American Council on Exercise (ACE). So what types of exercise are best for better sex? McCall recommends the following five "sex exercises."
Better Sex Exercise No. 1: Weight Lifting
Strength training could be just what the doctor ordered for your sex life. The reason: "Weight lifting causes the body to produce testosterone, which is the primary precursor for the male sex drive," says McCall, who recommends lifting enough to feel fatigue by the 10th repetition. In fact, some studies have linked short intense exercise, such as weight lifting, with increased testosterone levels. To improve your sex life, do some push-ups, sit-ups, and crunches. These muscle-building exercises can help lead to better sex by strengthening the shoulders, chest, and abs. Strong upper body strength can increase stamina since these muscles are used during intercourse.
Better Sex Exercise No. 2: Kegels
Doing Kegels is considered a good sex exercise for men because these exercises can help endurance and control by toning the pubococcygeus (PC) muscles — the ones that let you stop the flow of urine mid-stream. Named after Los Angeles physician Arnold Kegel, they strengthen the muscles in your body's pelvic floor, which can lead to better sex. "Men can use Kegels to delay ejaculation by contracting these muscles just before orgasm," says McCall. To do Kegels, start by interrupting the flow of urine when going to the bathroom to get familiar with your PC muscles. After that, you can do Kegels anytime and any place by squeezing the PC muscles. Hold for 10 seconds, relax, and do as many reps as you can before tiring.