Fit & Flirty...Does Working Out Make You Frisky?!

If you're a fitness enthusiast, you've probably noticed how a good workout can leave you feeling energized and invigorated. However, you may also discover yourself seeking a different kind of “workout” after hitting the gym. You may have glimpsed some post-workout behavior in the locker room showers at your gym. It's a situation we can all relate to, even if we don't talk out loud about it. I'm talking about the link between exercise and sex drive.

Have you ever wondered how physical exercise affects your sex drive? According to a recent study in the Psychophysiology journal, German researchers found a clear connection between physical stress and sexual arousal in men. The study found that physical exercise can increase your sensitivity to sexual stimuli. The article is titled "Increased Pupil And Heart-Rate Responses To Sexual Stimuli In Men After Physical Exertion," which (let's be honest) doesn't exactly scream SEXY, so I've broken down the important bits!

The study examined how male students in their 20s physiologically respond to physically demanding tasks followed by images ranging from graphic violence and sexuality to mundane visuals. The study found that when physical stress comes before erotic stimuli, the body reacts more intensely, with the test group demonstrating a heightened response. This suggests a clear connection between physical stress and sexual arousal in men. The study found that physical exercise can increase sensitivity to sexual stimuli, even when the task is demanding or arduous. This could explain why some people find it easier to become aroused after working out, as the body may be more attuned to receiving pleasure from the stimulus following a physically taxing workload.

As a total control freak, the idea of being the test subject makes me a bit uneasy but also… aroused? 🙈

It’s interesting food for thought next time you spot your crush at the gym. Keep lifting and stay curious!