Sex may feel like a workout sometimes, but just how many calories are you actually burning under the sheets? Past research has concluded that sex equates to light to moderate exercise. Several more studies since then have been able to determine the average amount of calories burned during sex β and it's much less than going for a run or hitting the gym.
Important : The exact amount of calories sex can burn for you depends on weight, duration of sex, and other factors. Similar to measuring calorie expenditure for any physical activity, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The good news is sex offers plenty of health benefits beyond calorie loss. That said, here are some insights from the latest research on how many calories you burn during sex. Research has found that men burn an average of calories during sex, or about 4. Women burn an average of 69 calories during sex, or about 3.
These results are from a small study that compared the caloric burn young, healthy heterosexual couples experienced spending 25 minutes of having sex versus running on a treadmill for 30 minutes.
The researchers found that during the average sexual activity session β defined as foreplay, intercourse, and at least one partner's orgasm β men burned calories, and women burned Sex burned significantly less calories than when the same participants exercised on a treadmill β where men burned 9.
Another review concluded similar results β a man in his 30s might only burn 21 calories during intercourse if he's having sex for six minutes. Five to six minutes is about the average duration of sexual intercourse β not including foreplay. And, of course, calorie expenditure is individualized, meaning you may burn slightly more or fewer calories than these study participants. Let's get the obvious out of the way, first: Whoever is on top is probably doing most of the movement and will likely be expending more energy, meaning they will burn more calories.
