Calorie Counting in the Bedroom: Does Sex Really Burn Calories?

According to studies, sex burns more calories than you might think! 

The new year has come and gone, and so have most of our weight loss resolutions. But fear not, your calorie-burning resolution might still be holding strong without you even knowing!

How many calories does the average person burn during sex? 

On average, a woman can burn around 69 calories, and a man can burn about 101, according to a study found on PLOS ONE.

The number of calories you burn during sex will depend on: 

• Body type
• Sex Position
• Movement 
• Duration

What sex positions burn the most calories?

For those who prefer our partners do most of the work, I'm about to burst your pleasure bubble. Gigi Engle, a SKYN Condoms sex and intimacy expert, is quoted on Woman's Day saying, "if you are on top, you'll get your heart rate up higher than in positions like missionary because you are controlling the thrusting and movement."

FROM MARS created an interactive sex calculator where you pick a position displayed on the page, enter in a length of time and it will tell you how many calories you could potentially burn. 

Here are the top 3 positions according to FROM MARS:

Butter Churner - 211 Calories: have you ever heard of the butter churner, also known as the pile driver or the squat thruster? If not, google at your peril! Having sex in the butter churner position for 30 minutes will burn around 211 calories for the person on top. That may be true, but who can stay in that position for 30 minutes? 

A word of caution: This position is not for beginners, and if you are not careful, it can land you in the ER or, at best, on your chiropractor's table for the foreseeable future! 

Standing -198 Calories: If you are the thruster in this position, you will burn around 198 calories. However, there are two caveats: 1. Most women can not orgasm in this position, and 2. Who wants to be shoved into a wall over and over for 30 minutes? 

Doggy Style - 182 Calories: Doggy Style is one of the most well-known and used sex positions for a reason. This position allows for both partners to have a chance to control the movements, and it enables most women to be able to orgasm from the deeper thrusts. In addition, doggy style will allow partners to incorporate multiple forms of pleasure and penetration for added fun. Check our our line of luxury toys you can incorporate into your next doggy style session. 

Can you burn calories while masturbating? 

The short answer is YES. There does not seem to be an average amount, but you can expect anywhere between 2-70 calories. 

The more creative you get with your position, how aggressive you are with your thrusts, and how long you have sex will set you up to burn the most calories. 

Four things you can do to increase the caloric burn when you masturbate

1. Set aside time to pleasure yourself. Longer animated sessions burn more calories. 
2. Pick positions that don't require you to just lay there on your back, the infamous starfish position. Move around and try different positions such as: - Standing with one leg propped and using a bullet vibrator / - on all fours with a wand massager / - Dancing sensually with a love egg inside.  You can thank us later. 
3. Increase the speed and voracity of your thrusts and gyrations. The more effort you put in, the faster your heart rate will go, the more calories you will burn. 
4. Don't forget the big O! While most of us won't forget to orgasm when we masturbate, we often forget to make noise. The moral vocal you are, the more your lungs fill up with air, which in turn will increase your heart rate over time. So let it out for all to hear. 

There are many reasons to have a great sex, and burning calories is one. You can do it with a partner or by yourself. The important thing to remember is to have fun with it and explore your sexuality through play. 

If you would like to learn more about masturbating with toys, check out our articles, The Benefits of Masturbation and How to Make the Most of Your Vibrator to Bring You Amazing Orgasms. 

In addition, if you are interested in knowing which foods would also support your sexual health go over to this list we wrote for you here! then you can pair it with the practice itself. Most importantly, don't stress over the calories in the moment and make sure you enjoy the pleasure! 

Resources: 

- The Surprising Amount of Calories Burned While Masturbating (spoon university.com)

- Does Masturbating Burn Calories? Average Loss and How to Burn More (healthline.com)

- Calories Burned During Sex May Surprise You - HealthyWomen

- How Many Calories Does Sex Burn? An Expert Guide (womenshealthmag.com)

- How Many Calories Does Sex Burn? (flo.health)