The Surprising Sex Benefits From Exercise

It's common knowledge that exercise helps your heart and your mind — but did you know getting fit is also beneficial for your sex life? Recently, Kat Van Kirk, PhD, a marriage, family, and sex therapist — and the author of The Married Sex Solution: A Realistic Guide to Saving Your Sex Life — spoke with Shape about how exercise can rev up your sex drive.  Related: Track Your Fitness Without Shelling Out Any Cash For starters, exercise increases blood flow to all parts of your body, including the genitals. Dr. Van Kirk explained to Shape that this results in "swelling of the vaginal walls, labia, and clitoris" which in turn leads to "increased sensitivity, [which] can result in more intense orgasms." And, that's not the only way a workout can get you a better orgasm. According to Dr. Van Kirk, toning moves like a yoga bridge can tighten your pelvic-floor muscles, which helps “increase the...contraction associated with orgasm.” Related: Master This Move: Yoga Headstand Exercising can also help regulate your hormone levels. Dr. Van Kirk explains that "the more fat we carry on our body, the more estrogen we produce — and higher estrogen levels have been linked to lower arousal in women and men." So, the more you exercise, the more you want to bone. And, as Dr. Van Kirk told Shape, "the gym can be...a great place to meet partners." Click through to Shape for more ways exercise makes you better in bed. (Shape) Related: 10 Races Perfect For Running Beginners