How does sex affect your athletic performance?

Have you ever been curious about how sex may be impacting your athletic performance?Many professional athletes choose to abstain from sexual activities before a competition, while others claim it has no effect on their performance. 

While we’re sure you’re excited to put the theories to the test, we’ve also done some (strictly scientific, of course) research of our own.

Find out if science says that you should abstain from sex, or rather engage in it before your workouts or competitions.

Isn’t sex just another form of exercise?  

At first glance, sex and exercise are similarin many ways. Both are physical activities that involve the expenditure of energy, increased heart rate, and the release of endorphins. 

Having sex can elevate your heart rate to between 90 and 130 beats per minute and burn 100 calories (or more, if you get really into it!). 

But there are big differences in how sexual activity and exercise impact your mind and body.  

While exercise is usually a prolonged activity that targets specific muscle groups and to improve physical fitness over time, sex is generally shorter in duration and involves a different kind of emotional and psychological engagement. 

Exercise involves a focus on goals, discipline, and competition. The psychological benefits include stress relief, improved mood due to the release of endorphins, and increased self-esteem from achieving fitness milestones. The emotional engagement is generally self-focused. 

Sexual activity, on the other hand, can have complex emotional implications, involving feelings of vulnerability, excitement, sometimes even anxiety. The release of hormones like oxytocin during sexual activity also fosters feelings of bonding and affection, which are generally not present during exercise.  

Should you abstain from sex if you want better performance?  

Some research suggests that sexual activity before workouts or competitions can lead to a decrease in testosterone levels, affecting muscle strength and stamina. Because of its emotional implications, it can also negatively affect focus.  

However, it’s important to note that the timing between sexual activity and athletic performance is a crucial factor.  

If the interval between them is less than 2 hours, your athletic performance could be negatively affected by energy depletion, muscle relaxation, and loss of mental focus.  

However, a 10-hour gap allows for enough recovery time for some positive effects on performance. These positive effects can be very similar to those achieved with exercise: better sleep, improved mood & relieved stress. Another unique “side-effect” of being sexually active, is a boost in testosterone that positively impacts your competitiveness and muscle development.  

Now we know what the science says, but whether you choose to abstain from sex for at least 10 hours before your workouts or competitions is completely up to you. We won’t blame you if you want to test these theories firsthand, and then decide.  

Improving physical and sexual performance goes hand-in-hand  

While sex can have both positive and negative impacts on your performance at the gym or track, there are some ways you can experience those same positive effects without the negative and improve both your sexual and athletic performance along the way. 

Supplements that contain certain ingredients can be a great boost to your energy and stamina, as well as hormonal production (without actually taking hormones).  

Look for the following ingredients: 

• L-Arginine: the amino acid is a precursor to nitric oxide, which helps improve blood flow. Improved circulation can benefit both sexual function and athletic performance.
• Zinc: essential for testosterone production, zinc can help in maintaining sexual health and muscle growth.
• Ashwagandha: supports the body’s resistance to stress, boosts energy, helps gain muscle mass, and maintains physical and mental balance. 
• Maca root: known for its ability to boost energy and endurance, Maca can be beneficial for both sexual and athletic performance. 

Not coincidentally, we’ve gathered all these ingredients and then some in our premium testosterone-boosting supplement Mr Testosterone.

It is designed to naturally supercharge your performance in- and outside of the gym by boosting your energy, improving muscle gains, and helping maintain a healthy sex drive.