Without further ado, welcome to your step-by-step guide to hacking the oldest text on love, The Kama Sutra! Maybe you have some questions about the Kama Sutra that you’ve been too scared to ask your girlfriends. That’s why we’re here! We’re going to break it down so you can satisfy ALL of your sexual cravings and find out the answer to your burning question, is sex good cardio?
You’re about to experience how these sexercise workouts will intensify your cardio workout and leave you feeling like the sex goddess you are. Real talk, these postures are going to burn some serious calories, tone up your tummy and thighs, make you smile, and enhance your love life.
What Is Sexercise?
Every hour millions of us are doing it. Sexuality is as much a part of our lives as eating and sleeping, but there is still a lot about sex we don’t understand. For instance, what the heck is sexercise? If you’re like me, when you hear the term “sexercise” you think of some funny Richard Simmons workout video where a group of people dressed in neon 80s gear, headbands, and tight spandex are yelling, “Now let’s sexxxxeercisssse!!” Or maybe I’m the only one thinking that. Either way, you’ll be happy to know that sexercise does not involve 80s clothes and Richard Simmons (unless you’re into that 😏).
So, what is sexercise? Plain and simple, sexercise translates to working up a sweat while you’re doing the best thing ever: Having hot sex! When you’re getting it on, your muscles are working hard to get the blood flowing to all the … um… important areas. Sexercise workouts build up a sweat and increase your heart rate, leaving you huffing and puffing by the end.
It’s helpful to think of sexercise like an intense gym session where you get to bow-chicka-wow-wow. And in the world of sexercise, positions matter. Think about how you get your heart pumping at the gym: Same stuff applies in between the sheets. You’ll burn more calories during 60 minutes of super hot, intense sex involving challenging positions as opposed to chilled out sex where you don’t move your body a whole lot. Less motion of the ocean and more hurricane season!
If “runner’s high” is a real thing, then a “sexercise high” is a completely next level flooding of positive emotions. So go ahead and hop on the sexercise bandwagon, or should we say bang-wagon!?
How many calories does sex burn?
I’d venture to guess that almost every person on the planet has wondered, at one point or another, how many calories they burn during sex. Sometimes you emerge from a sweaty session feeling like you just ran a marathon. Other shag sessions leave you feeling like your heart is pumping but you didn’t really get a workout in. Either way, your body goes through an interesting physiological change when you have sex and orgasm. Your heart rate and blood pressure increase and your pupils dilate! When it comes to calorie burn, men burn more than women during sex. Which I know, it’s totally not fair.
On average, women burn 213 calories during a 30-minute workout of light running, and men burn 276 calories. When having sex, men burn 101 calories every 30 minutes, and women burn 69 calories. That translates to an average of 3.6 calories per minute. Not too shabby.
So, how do you increase your calorie burn during the next romp in the sheets? The first step is making sure you’re in the mood for some intense, mindblowing sex.
5 Tips For “Getting In The Mood”
Intimacy and having a healthy sex drive begins with one thing: Desire. You’ve probably heard it before, but your biggest sex organ is your brain. It only makes sense to check all the boxes that help get your head in the game: Whether it’s eating certain foods, filling your house with certain smells, or practicing certain self-care rituals, your brain deserves some foreplay too.
Tip 1: Eat and drink foods that boost libido
Sure, popular aphrodisiacs like oysters, dark chocolate, and cinnamon get a lot of press in the sex world, but a little root named maca is way cooler. Maca is a natural aphrodisiac and a magical ingredient that you can add to a smoothie or coffee to help you get in the mood! In fact, studies show it’s effective in improving sexual function for men and women while also treating sexual dysfunction.
Maca is just one of the banging flavors in SkinnyFit Beauty Juice red superfood powder! Try it out for yourself: Buy Beauty Juice
Tip 2: Boost your confidence
Ladies, how awesome is it to feel like a supermodel when you’re having sex? Freaking awesome, right? When you’re confident and connected to your partner, you feel like a million bucks, and you’re able to vocalize what you need and want. Sex becomes a lot more fun when you’re not worrying about what your person is thinking. Ditch the second-guessing of “How do I look in this position?” or “Am I doing it right?” and instead do whatever you need to do to get in your confident zone.
Get naked, listen to your favorite song, tell yourself how awesome and beautiful you are. Do you, girl!
RELATED: 8 Ways Self-Care Can Boost Sexual Confidence (& Spice Up Your Sex Life!)
Tip 3: Bust out the sensual scents
Did you know that a scent can actually turn you on? Yessss. Experiment with different scents like candles, incense, oils, foods, and room sprays until you find one that you like and arouses your senses. Studies have found that women actually have a neural response when they smell a sexually-aroused partner. That saying, “The couple that sweats together stays together” has some science to back it up. For more on getting excited and sweaty, read the next tip!
Tip 4: Do a quick workout
Certain movements, especially ones that get the blood flowing to your pelvic area (ie squats and certain yoga poses like bridge or wheel) are great ways to flip your switch to: Turned on. Schedule a workout or try out a new physical activity (rock climbing, hot yoga, surfing, hiking, or running are great places to start!) with your partner to bond and build up the sexual tension while your body gets pumping with endorphins and oxytocin, even before you bust out the superpowers of The Kama Sutra!
Tip 5: Practice healthy living
Taking care of your overall physical and mental health has a huge impact on your desire. Don’t just take my word for it. When you feel healthy, fit, and happy, you have an easier time getting hot and heavy. If you feel depressed, low energy, or have problems sleeping, you’re going to have a harder time feeling aroused. Mindfulness practices like meditation and yoga can help you connect with your body and release any stagnant energy that’s getting in the way of feeling like your best self. As always, get enough sleep, drink more water, and always prioritize your health first.
What is Kama Sutra?
Before we get to the good stuff (and I mean really good stuff) let’s take a step back and understand where these positions come from. Like what the heck is the Kama Sutra? Here’s a short explanation: The Kama Sutra is an ancient book of love, not just a book full of descriptions of different sex positions. The Indian text was written around the third century in the Sanskrit language and the title translates to something along the lines of “love lessons,” “desire song,” or “pleasure treatise.” Although the book is known for its detailed descriptions of somewhat unimaginable acrobatic sex positions, the book outlines the sacred act of making love and falling in love. In between chapters of how to engage in “the acts of congress” (AKA sex), there are lessons on everything from how to kiss, look deep into your lover’s eyes, choose the right essential oil or perfumes to use, and of course, how to find the most pleasurable position during sex.
With that, are you ready to take a page out of the Kama Sutra and find out the answer to the question, is sex good cardio?!
Best Kama Sutra Positions For Amazing Sexercise
In no particular order, here are 7 juicy Kama Sutra positions to try out tonight. Chances are, you’ve done these positions before, without knowing they were from one of the most famous books in the world. In that case, hats off to you, you sexy Kama Sutra master, you!
Position 1: Splitting the Bamboo
I personally love the name of this position because it sounds… unfathomable. Do you have any idea how strong bamboo is!!? According to Google, it’s as strong as steel and three times stronger than timber! With this position, your legs are the bamboo. Your partner is going to “split” your bamboo legs by lifting one of your legs up and resting it one of their shoulders. This somewhat easy position is a great introduction to the world of spicy sex positions. Lie down on your back and use your partner’s body to hold up your leg up while they go for it. If one of your legs gets tired in this position, switch legs and continue!
Splitting the bamboo will fire up your core, hip flexors, thigh, and hamstring muscles! Warn your partner before moving into this posture to not put all of their weight on you, to prevent crushing you or causing any pain. Although it can take some maneuvering to find the sweet spot where both partners feel comfortable in this pose, that’s part of the healthy communication and fun! Plus, once you find your groove, the position can provide an intense level of pleasure. It’s definitely a deep stretch so if you missed your yoga class this week or you listed “improving flexibility” as a personal goal, this position is your new best friend!
Position 2: Suspended Congress
This is your partner’s chance to hold you up like Tarzan. Your partner picks you up and puts their back against the wall. You use your toes to push against the wall as your partner thrusts in and out. It gets intense real fast, but stay for the cardio! Depending on how much you are holding yourself up, this can be quite the sexercise for your upper body, core, and legs.
Position 3: Wheelbarrow
Here’s a brag-worthy position. This one will fire up your arm, leg, and core muscles and test your endurance levels. Steady yourself on your hands and have your partner grab your legs and hold them on either side of their hips, like a good ol’ fashioned wheelbarrow. Really let out your wild side and move your arms back and forth for some added animalistic movements. This position is definitely acrobatic, so warm up with a few other positions before testing your upper body strength. Each thrust is a rep, and have your partner aim for 20 before you move onto the next position. Of course, communicate with your partner if you are feeling tired or need to take a break.
Position 4: Crab Legs
This pose is the birds and the bees meets Barry’s Bootcamp. Face your partner as they kneel in front of you. Lie on your lower back and kick your legs up to frame your partner’s face. With your feet resting on their shoulders, have your partner plunge deeply into the pose, while they make back and forth movements. This position will fire up your lower obliques and hip flexors in no time! Try to do 20 reps for some intense, extra core work.
Position 5: The Climbing Tree
Calling all flexies! Ever feel like you just want to climb your partner like a tree? Well, your wish has now come true! This Kama Sutra pose is all about the delicate balance between flexibility and strength, and it works best if you are almost the same height as your partner. Look deep into your lover’s eyes as you stand in front of them. Wrap one leg on their shoulder as if you wanted to climb them like… well… a tree. Grab onto each other for balance as you steady yourself for the best and most challenging and erotic tree climbing experience of your life.
Position 6: The Pretzel
Remember crab walks? Yes, they’re great for your triceps and glutes, bu they’re also a great way to sexercise. To get started, both you and your partner get into the crab walk position (hands and feet flat on the floor and your stomach facing towards the ceiling) and literally crab walk towards each other. Talk about a mating dance! Raise your pelvis and lower it onto your partner and ride them like the true queen you are. This position is ALL about communication while you get a full-body workout.
Position 7: Booty Bounce
This is a fun one and best paired with a sexy piece of lingerie. Your partner kneels down on their knees and you stand with your back to your partner. Squat down so they can thrust up and bounce you up and down and let that booty bounce! This position is 100% thigh power. It’s an intense workout for your leg muscles and will give your partner a sexy view of your backside. Flip your hair back, it’s time to ride without inhibitions!
The Verdict: Is Sex Good Cardio?
Although these Kama Sutra positions won’t replace your ab workout, they can definitely help you build up your heart rate and have fun in the bedroom! Who knows, after reading this article, sexercise may soon become your new pastime. Now stop blushing and get your sexercise workout on!
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