Better Sex Now: An Age-by-Age Guide to Sexual Satisfaction and Health

Why Fit Women Have Better Sex

Can't get motivated to work out? Try thinking about all the great sex you'll have afterward! Research has shown that regular exercise plays a more important role in sexual satisfaction than many other factors, including testosterone levels, stress, or even the quality of your relationship. Basically, the more you work out, the happier you are sexually. Likewise, Finnish researchers recently found that 42- to 46-year-old women who work out strenuously have more orgasms than those who don't. Here's why:

• Increased blood flow to the vagina. "The better the circulation is down there, the more easily you become aroused physically and the more intense the orgasm you'll have," says Dr. Hutcherson. And we found proof: In one study, women with low libidos who did 20 minutes of fairly intense cardiovascular exercise (such as fast jogging or taking a step or Spinning class) before watching an erotic video became more aroused than when they watched the film without exercising first.
• Stress relief. Anxiety makes you tense, which inhibits arousal physically and emotionally, says Dr. Trupin.
• Body confidence. "Women who feel better about their bodies enjoy sex more because they're less anxious in bed," says Dr. Trupin. And in general, women who exercise regularly tend to feel better about their bodies than those who don't.
• Increased endurance. Sex is exercise, so the fitter you are, the more energy you'll have to, um, go the extra mile.

Originally published in FITNESS magazine, May 2007.