You might think that bodybuilding and sexuality have nothing to do with each other, but they do – in fact, they’re linked at the hip. Bodybuilding both motivates and makes you feel sexier in general, and it can also affect your testosterone levels, which in turn affects your libido and performance in bed. Here are some of the lesser-known ways that bodybuilding affects your sexuality.
The Incredible Connection Between Bodybuilding and Sexuality – Bodybuilding 101 with Coach Maxwell Alexander – Presented by HARD SUPPS
Bodybuilding Motivation
Sex is a major motivator. Studies show that even just thinking about sex causes our testosterone levels to increase, making us feel more motivated. Sex has been shown to improve physical fitness; an ongoing study at Queen’s University in Ontario found that healthy middle-aged men who had more sex had lower BMI scores than those who didn’t have sex as often. What does all of that mean? Having sex boosts our motivation to work out, so you can hit your workouts with a renewed sense of energy—and achieve better results. Not only that but having sex will actually increase your testosterone (read: muscle growth) for up to 24 hours after your orgasm. Some people refer to it as a refractory period, but it should be called a recovery period. If you want to build muscle or lose fat faster, do what feels good: get some action in bed!
Testosterone
Bodybuilders who lift heavy weights naturally produce more testosterone—that’s a fact. A 2010 study of male powerlifters found that those who incorporated intense, heavyweight training into their routines boosted their testosterone levels by up to 30 percent. Researchers suspect that testosterone plays a key role in driving muscle mass increase because it increases protein synthesis. And increased protein means more lean muscle for men and women alike. Another reason you should hit the iron: high-testosterone men have been shown to be considerably more virile than guys with average or low levels of testosterone, according to a study conducted at Northwestern University. Having enough testosterone is especially important for men as they age since studies show lowered levels may lead to lower sex drives and an inability to maintain erections. It takes quite a bit of effort (think lots of reps!) to get big muscles; unfortunately, all that exertion isn’t without risk if your blood pressure’s on the rise, so infuse your bodybuilding regimen with a weekly hike or two to destress mentally and physically.
Psychology
Making a connection between bodybuilding and sexuality is easy. The mere fact that both lead to toned, athletic bodies is enough for most people. But it goes deeper than that. In fact, bodybuilders often use sex to get themselves in shape as well! The secret is sexual energy; it’s a driving force behind every human on earth. And when harnessed correctly, it can be used to accomplish goals of all kinds: like eating healthier food or working out more often. Once you understand how to make sex work for you during bodybuilding workouts, you’ll realize there’s no limit to what your mind and body can do together!
Balanced Nutrition
Let’s face it—although testosterone is an essential component of male sexual health, a man with excess body fat will more likely experience erectile dysfunction than one who has a healthy body composition. It is true that as men gain weight their testosterone levels usually drop in tandem, but that doesn’t necessarily mean their sex lives are suffering because of it. Just ask basketball great Shaquille O’Neal. His testosterone was 11 times higher than average in 2004 when he was awarded Sexiest Athlete by People magazine.
Training Your Confidence
A new study suggests there may be a link between building physical strength and boosting our sense of confidence. What is it about bodybuilders that gives them such power? It’s not muscle mass or athleticism; it’s psychology. Bodybuilders use weight training to reinforce what they see as their masculine traits, from their physique to their attitudes, all of which depend on sexual hormones such as testosterone. The key here isn’t just lifting weights, but working out with a goal in mind—and for many people, having a purpose to work toward (and a strong self-image) can boost sexual performance in itself.
Conclusion
Build a Body to Build Your Confidence The simple act of building up your body will directly affect your psychology. Attractiveness is self-reinforcing; people respond to your attractiveness, which leads to more confidence, which makes you more attractive, and so on. The cycle isn’t one that ends—it just goes on forever, as long as you keep it going with hard work in the gym.
