Do You Need a Gym When You Have a Bedroom?

Getting cozy can sometimes mean working up a sweat, which actually aids in burning calories. So, it’s kind of a win-win situation for your love life.

Now, there’s a tool from NowPatient—the “SexerCise Calculator.” This quirky calculator estimates how many calories you might burn during various sexual positions.

But, a word of caution—don’t jump into it unprepared.

Emma Hewitt, a certified sex educator, suggests aiming for around 30 minutes of activity to reap the benefits. You should probably make sure you’re well-fed and hydrated beforehand.

This might sound easier than it is. Some research indicates that the average heterosexual encounter lasts only about five and a half minutes. So, if you’re looking to really work up a sweat, you may need to go beyond that.

For instance, there’s the “Butter Churner.” In this position, one partner lies on their back, lifting their legs as if in a yoga pose, while the other partner squats down to penetrate. It’s like a workout for the penetrating partner, burning about 211 calories in half an hour.

The receiving partner doesn’t get off easily either. They also engage their core and keep their body stretched. But, this calculator might not be entirely precise; other estimates suggest around 106 calories could be burned in the same timeframe.

Interestingly, this position offers some added benefits, too. According to Julieta Ciaramonte, a sex expert, it can facilitate deeper penetration and stimulation of both the G-spot and P-spot.

However, she warns that if you struggle with flexibility or strength, this position might not be the best fit for you.

If that’s the case, maybe standing sex might work better. It comes in second for calorie burning, with about 198 calories burned for the penetrating partner and 145 for the receiving partner in 30 minutes. It does require a bit of strength and balance, so be prepared for that. But, studies suggest women might have a harder time achieving orgasm in this position, with only about 17% succeeding.

Another calorie-burner is Doggy Style, where the penetrating partner can expect to burn around 182 calories, while the receiving partner can burn about 103 calories in 30 minutes. Notably, research shows this position leads to the highest incidence of female orgasms at around 79%.

Then there’s the “knee-leaning wheelbarrow.” Here, one partner supports the other on all fours while lifting their hips. It’s a bit acrobatic but creates some solid core and arm engagement. In this position, the penetrating partner can burn roughly 167 calories, while the receiver will burn around 149.

The fifth position is Lotus, where both partners sit facing each other with crossed legs. This one adds some nice hip and thigh activity, alongside core training, burning about 148 calories in half an hour.

According to NowPatient, various smoother movements can also burn over 100 calories in the same timeframe, like eagles, leg ups, and spoons.

But as you explore, the burn tends to decrease. The “Sexercise Calculator” shows that a standard squat position rarely burns more than 50 calories, while the reverse cowgirl drops to about 48 calories. At the bottom, classic cowgirl only manages around 39 calories.

One thing the calculator doesn’t factor in is the calorie burn from foreplay. Research indicates that the more time spent on activities like kissing and oral sex, the more calories can be burned—an interesting tidbit for those looking to maximize their time together.