# Can a dedicated high-intensity workout regimen improve sexual performance? \[TMI/NSFW\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 31, 2012, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-dedicated-high-intensity-workout-regimen-improve-sexual-performance-tmi-nsfw/645625 "2012-12-31T02:14:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2012, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-dedicated-high-intensity-workout-regimen-improve-sexual-performance-tmi-nsfw/645625/1 "2012-12-31T02:14:05Z")
After indulging in too many of the usual holiday fare (most notably pumpkin pies), I’ve increased the pace of my twice-daily workout regimen to the point that I max out the torque meter on my stationary bike for 10 minutes each (2x daily). Coincidentally or not, during this time I’ve also “suffered” from erections harder than anything I’ve experienced since my teenage years (no joke). By priming my cardiovascular system like that, am I also optimizing myself sexually too, given how the male reproductive system relies heavily on the former to initiate and maintain erections? Jokes are expected and welcome, natch. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2012, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-dedicated-high-intensity-workout-regimen-improve-sexual-performance-tmi-nsfw/645625/2 "2012-12-31T02:39:19Z")
Performance I don’t know, but physical exertion has a known tendency to increase sexual arousal. Basically IIRC, the brain appears to learn to associate physical exertion with sex and makes you horny when you exert yourself for other reasons. I’ve heard it recommended for that reason that people be cautious about relationships with people met at gyms and such, since they are in effect under the influence of a mild aphrodisiac. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2012, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-dedicated-high-intensity-workout-regimen-improve-sexual-performance-tmi-nsfw/645625/3 "2012-12-31T03:28:33Z")
I’d think attempting to engage in sexual activity **right after** a workout would be counterproductive, though. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2012, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-dedicated-high-intensity-workout-regimen-improve-sexual-performance-tmi-nsfw/645625/4 "2012-12-31T03:31:35Z")
Sure, being in shape isn’t necessary for orgasm, but having greater cardio capacity and good muscle tone will certainly (in my experience) makes your sexual performance vastly better. I imagine overall superior oxygen uptake and blood flow is also good for erection quality as that’s what Viagra targets. Sex (physically at least) is always better (vastly better) if you’re in shape. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2012, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-dedicated-high-intensity-workout-regimen-improve-sexual-performance-tmi-nsfw/645625/5 "2012-12-31T04:03:16Z")
I tend to be a bit horny after (not during) a good bike ride. I’m not sure if it is just general arousal, being fitter, or seeing my girlfriend in tight fitting lycra. Probably a mixture of everything. ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2012, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-dedicated-high-intensity-workout-regimen-improve-sexual-performance-tmi-nsfw/645625/6 "2012-12-31T14:47:57Z")
Probably related to prostatic stimulation from the seat. I would occasionally ejaculate while cycling from the pressure. I could also get prostatitis. A change of seat to one with a channel solved both issues. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2012, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-dedicated-high-intensity-workout-regimen-improve-sexual-performance-tmi-nsfw/645625/7 "2012-12-31T15:26:58Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > I tend to be a bit horny after (not during) a good bike ride. I’m not sure if it is just general arousal, being fitter, or seeing my girlfriend in tight fitting lycra. Probably a mixture of everything. what about your rockhard bike tires? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2012, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-dedicated-high-intensity-workout-regimen-improve-sexual-performance-tmi-nsfw/645625/8 "2012-12-31T15:47:05Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > I tend to be a bit horny after (not during) a good bike ride. I’m not sure if it is just general arousal, being fitter, or seeing my girlfriend in tight fitting lycra. Probably a mixture of everything. Or maybe you have a repressed helmet fetish. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2012, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-dedicated-high-intensity-workout-regimen-improve-sexual-performance-tmi-nsfw/645625/9 "2012-12-31T17:06:35Z")
> [@si\_blakely](#): > > Probably related to prostatic stimulation from the seat. > > I would occasionally ejaculate while cycling from the pressure. I could also get prostatitis. A change of seat to one with a channel solved both issues. I have a channel on my seat.