Add a better sex life to the long list of benefits for spending some time in the gym. Along with preventing chronic diseases, obesity and diabetes, those who get more exercise feel more sexually desirable, according to a recent study in the October issue of the Journal of Human Sexuality.
Researchers at the University of Arkansas said that exercise helps to improve self-esteem and that those who feel better about themselves may perceive they are more sexually desirable, and they may actually perform better sexually. The study looked at levels of exercise frequency, perceived fitness, perceptions of sexual desirability and sexual performance in 408 college students.
Differences in sexual desirability and sexual performance ranged according to gender and exercise frequency. Of those who exercised two to three days a week, more than 80 percent of males and nearly 60 percent of females rated themselves as above average in desirability. When those that worked out four to five days a week rated sexual performance, 88 percent of females and 69 percent of males reported themselves as above average or much above average.
While the study was voluntary and targeted undergraduates, researchers said the results could be generalized to those who are far past their college days.
Previous research has shown a decline in both sexual performance and satisfaction with aging, but this research suggests regular physical activity may be an answer.
So, the next time a potential member or someone new to exercise comes in, you might just want to mention this added benefit to working out. They say sex sells – and for the fitness industry, that might just be the case.