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Myth Check: "Sex Burns as Many Calories as a Workout"

Updated 2026-11-02 · Draft: awaiting expert review

Myth

Measured energy use during sex is modest and well below a typical workout session.

You may have read that sex burns hundreds of calories. Researchers who measured it found a much smaller number. Here is what the studies say.

The claim

A popular claim says a session of sex burns 100 to 300 calories per person, about the same as a gym session. Obesity researchers have listed this as a myth.

What the measurements show

  • In a study of 21 young couples wearing activity monitors, sex used on average about 100 calories for men and about 70 for women.
  • The same people burned about 276 calories (men) and 213 calories (women) during 30 minutes of moderate treadmill exercise.
  • One estimate suggests a typical bout of sex burns only about 21 calories, roughly 14 more than you would use watching TV for the same time.
  • In terms of effort, sexual activity is generally comparable to mild-to-moderate exercise, such as brisk walking or climbing a couple of flights of stairs.

Why it still matters

Sex is not a substitute for exercise, but that was never the point. Intimacy has value for connection and well-being, and regular physical activity outside the bedroom supports energy, mood, and sexual health.

If you have a heart condition, ask your doctor whether you are fit for sexual activity; for most people with stable heart disease, it is safe.

This article is for education only and is not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before starting supplements, especially if you are pregnant, have a health condition, or take medication.

Sources

  1. Myths, Presumptions, and Facts about Obesity (Casazza K et al.). New England Journal of Medicine, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsa1208051
  2. Energy Expenditure during Sexual Activity in Young Healthy Couples (Frappier J et al.). PLoS ONE, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0079342
  3. Sexual Activity and Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (Levine GN et al.). Circulation, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0b013e3182447787

We summarise research in our own words and link to the original. We do not copy text or images from these sources.