by Maureen McHugh > University of Maryland, College Park | photos Roman Menchikov

Men’s Health Magazine calls the bed the single greatest piece of exercise equipment ever invented. Though sex will undoubtedly never be named an official Olympic sport nor, in most cases, will being skilled in this field help you get picked first by the team: one thing is undeniable—the health benefits of sex are comparable to, and even exceed, most forms of popular exercise in ways you might have never thought.

A study done by Queens University in Belfast suggests that vigorous sexual activity burns around an average of 200 calories, which is equivalent to about fifteen minutes of running or general cardiovascular activity. If you think that’s good, the pulse rate during sex for the average person rises from 70 beats per minute to about 150—the same rate as that of an athlete putting forth maximum physical effort. Remember though, calories burned during sex vary greatly from person to person depending on your weight and the intensity of the sexual activity.

This comprehensive study conducted by Queens University also suggests that aside from the immediate cardiovascular benefits, the more long-term effects of sex include a reduction of heart attack risk, reduction of depression through the release of endorphins, reduction of stress, and the experience of less cold or flu-like symptoms—effects which are comparable to those of regular cardiovascular activities such as running, swimming, or bicycling.

What can sex offer that almost all other sports can’t though, you ask? Aside from an increased sense of smell, improved bladder control, improved memory, and incomparable emotional connectivity with a partner, some sexual activities can prevent tooth decay in a way that even Crest Tarter Control can’t. But we’ll leave that to your imagination and your expert Googling skills.