How many calories can sex really burn? Here are 5 positions you can recommend to patients looking for a fitness boost
Industry Buzz
Having sex can improve your endurance... depending on how creative folks get, you might work in different muscles. It definitely can be a form of exercise.
Kia-Rai Prewitt, PhD, psychologist, Cleveland Clinic
Sex has always been considered a form of physical activity—albeit a private one—but now there’s a tool that quantifies exactly how many calories are burned in the bedroom.
Telehealth provider NowPatient recently launched its “sex-ercise calculator,” which estimates calorie expenditure for different sexual positions based on intensity, duration, and body weight. []
Related: Let's talk about sex (it's what your patients want)Sex positions that burn the most calories
According to the tool, positions that involve more active movement—like standing or positions requiring lifting and support—tend to burn the most calories.
“Having sex can improve your endurance...depending on how creative folks get, you might work in different muscles. It definitely can be a form of exercise," said psychologist Kia-Rai Prewitt, PhD, from the Cleveland Clinic. []
Specifically, the sex positions that burn the most calories are:
Butter churner: burns 106-211 calories in 30 minutes (click here to learn how to do it)
Standing sex: burns 145-198 calories in 30 minutes
Doggy style: burns 103-182 calories in 30 minutes
Kneeling wheelbarrow: burns 149-167 calories in 30 minutes (here's how to do it)
Lotus position: burns 148 calories in 30 minutes (here's how to do it)
The takeaway for physicians
While this may sound lighthearted, the calculator has implications for patients who are curious about incorporating sexual activity into their overall wellness routines.
Many patients already ask about the health benefits of sex, and this tool provides concrete data that can normalize these conversations.
Physical activity matters: While sexual activity isn’t a substitute for structured exercise, it can contribute to daily energy expenditure, particularly for patients with otherwise sedentary lifestyles.
Cardiovascular and mental health benefits: Light-to-moderate sexual activity is associated with improved mood, stress reduction, and even better sleep—factors that indirectly benefit cardiovascular and metabolic health.
Normalizing patient conversations: Many patients hesitate to bring up sexual activity with their physicians. Being aware of tools like the sexercise calculator allows clinicians to engage in factual, nonjudgmental discussions about sexual health, fitness, and overall wellness.
Patient motivation and engagement: For patients tracking their physical activity or weight management, integrating sexual activity into energy balance discussions may improve adherence to broader wellness goals.