Can sex be considered physical exercise?

Can sex qualify as exercise? If you look at the research and the responses of most personal trainers, the answer is disappointing.

One study found that an average 25-minute sex session (including foreplay) burns approximately 101 calories in men and 69.1 calories in women. But compared to a 30-minute jog, which burns 279 calories in men and 213 in women, sex can hardly be considered rigorous exercise.

Another study found that men expend approximately 3.5 calories per minute during sex, which is equivalent to walking at a modest pace.

An average sex session lasts only about six minutes (without foreplay), and thus the calorie burn turns out to be small.

"Sex may not be considered physical exercise in terms of burning calories and building muscle. However, burning 4-5 calories per minute is better than zero," says Sara Silberstang, reports the Telegraph.

"One way to turn sex into a cardio exercise is by extending the time of the sex session," she added.

And this is true! Every minute you spend engaging in any physical activity is better than sitting. As an added bonus, sex has other health benefits.

"Ten minutes of sex contributes to cardiorespiratory health, sex increases levels of serotonin (the happy hormone), and improves sleep," says Silberstang.

Studies show that sex can alleviate everything from anxiety and depression to high blood pressure.

When men experience orgasm, their bodies release serotonin, oxytoxin and prolactin. Numerous studies have found links between regular sex and a reduced risk of heart disease and prostate cancer, as well as a stronger immune system. /Telegraph/