Does bodybuilding increase sex drive?

[Swerdz]

This is kind of a weird question here, not sure where to ask it. I sat on my ass and drank beer all summer long, didn't do much of anything. Now I pretty much eat healthier, and do cardio / weightlifting. I notice a dramatic increase in my sex drive from summer to now. Does all this increase male potency or somthing?

[RU4A69]

This is kind of a weird question here, not sure where to ask it. I sat on my ass and drank beer all summer long, didn't do much of anything. Now I pretty much eat healthier, and do cardio / weightlifting. I notice a dramatic increase in my sex drive from summer to now. Does all this increase male potency or somthing?

Hell yes it does. Strength or hypertrophy training results in greater efficiency of EVERY bodily process-including hormone release.

[OKgymNUT]

and sex appeal

[NO HYPE]

"I sat on my ass and drank beer all summer long, didn't do much of anything."

Your previous lifestyle was identical to that of an alcoholic's lifestyle.... wich does nothing but negatively alter the healthy state that your body is supposed to be in.

To answer your question.... yes, a healthy lifestyle accompanied by a good diet and steady exercise will increase testosterone levels amongst many other things.

[LordHalbert]

Over trainning can sap your sex-drive like nothing else.

I beleive there is evidence that over trainning can lower testosterone.

After working all day and then hitting the gym hard, i'm sapped. I have no energy for anything after that except food and sleep.

[Swerdz]

Well I still sit on my ass and sleep alot when I'm not working out / at college (9 to 5 is going to suck!) but I don't drink much, and eat better also, fruit and veggies and stuff. I only lift like 1-2 times a week, I need to start a 3 day upper body lower body regime.

[prometeo]

also you're ignoring the fact that alcohol lowers testosterone...

[dexterium]

Doing compound movements such as Squats and Deadlifts with 6-8 reps can increase testosterone. Increasing testosterone will increase sex drive.

[Boiler23]

Yes resistance training is effective in increasing serum testosterone levels as well as growth hormone concentrations.

Increasing Testosterone:
1) use large muscle group exercises
2) use heavy resistance (85-95% 1RM)
3) use moderate to high volume
4) use short rest intervals (30-60 seconds)

Increasing growth hormone is fairly similar as above.

Source: Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. Baechle TR and Earle RW. 2nd Edition.

[asd1985]

Yes resistance training is effective in increasing serum testosterone levels as well as growth hormone concentrations.

Increasing Testosterone:
1) use large muscle group exercises
2) use heavy resistance (85-95% 1RM)
3) use moderate to high volume
4) use short rest intervals (30-60 seconds)

Increasing growth hormone is fairly similar as above.

Source: Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. Baechle TR and Earle RW. 2nd Edition.

I thought hitting 8-10reps for several sets (squats 3*10) was the way to go for T and GH.

[Boiler23]

I thought hitting 8-10reps for several sets (squats 3*10) was the way to go for T and GH.

Well yes that specific example would utilize points 1 and 3...and 2 to an extent. All four of the points don't need to be used at the same time. It has just been observed in the literature that those are the most effective ways to increase test or GH levels with exercise. Other types of exercise modalities will increase these levels as well, but not as great as what I listed before.

[melinyc]

Hi I'm a 33 yr old woman. My boyfriend bodybuilds alot. 6x week. We've been together 3 months now and I do notice his sex drive isnt that high. Its true what you said, all that training, he comes home and the first thing he does is eat. we dont live together. long distance. we see eachother only on weekends and when i see him, i'm horny as hell. Also hes 42 and built like a powerhouse. So guys, Im asking you now since you're all experts . How do I get his drive up?

[f4k]

Hi I'm a 33 yr old woman. My boyfriend bodybuilds alot. 6x week. We've been together 3 months now and I do notice his sex drive isnt that high. Its true what you said, all that training, he comes home and the first thing he does is eat. we dont live together. long distance. we see eachother only on weekends and when i see him, i'm horny as hell. Also hes 42 and built like a powerhouse. So guys, Im asking you now since you're all experts . How do I get his drive up?

Anabolics shut you down and generally turn off sex drive. Its probably something he is taking to get big. There are supplements you can take to increase sex drive on cycle, though.

[DRP7]

Hi I'm a 33 yr old woman. My boyfriend bodybuilds alot. 6x week. We've been together 3 months now and I do notice his sex drive isnt that high. Its true what you said, all that training, he comes home and the first thing he does is eat. we dont live together. long distance. we see eachother only on weekends and when i see him, i'm horny as hell. Also hes 42 and built like a powerhouse. So guys, Im asking you now since you're all experts . How do I get his drive up?

possible explanations for reduced sex-drive in a young, athletic man:

1. overtraining
2. certain stimulants
3. certain anabolics / steroids
4. he has another girlfriend

[Gator87]

possible explanations for reduced sex-drive in a young, athletic man:

1. overtraining
2. certain stimulants
3. certain anabolics / steroids
4. he has another girlfriend

You don't have to be "overtraining" to be too tired to want to have sex...especially if you're 42 or whatever. If you're giving it your all, you shouldn't have any energy left for boners...at least for a few hours.

[yeojdub]

5. "" boyfriend

[Grinners]

You don't have to be "overtraining" to be too tired to want to have sex...especially if you're 42 or whatever. If you're giving it your all, you shouldn't have any energy left for boners...at least for a few hours.

Agreed, after a good legs session I struggle to stay awake for the remainder of the night :S

[DRP7]

Harefuah. 2006 Sep;145(9):677-81, 702, 701.
Exercise and the male reproductive system


Eliakim A, Nemet D.
Child Health and Sports Center, Pediatrics, Meir General Hospital, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University. eliakim.alon@clalit.org.il

In contrast to the effect of exercise training on the menstrual cycle in female athletes, the effect of physical activity on the male reproductive system is described far less extensively in the scientific literature. The male reproductive system consists of the hypothalamic-pituitary unit and the testes. The testes are responsible for the production of sperm and androgens, mainly testosterone. Androgens are responsible for the development of secondary male characteristics, muscle and bone growth, production of red blood cells, sex drive and other behavioral aspects. The effect of physical activity on the male reproductive axis depends on the intensity and duration of the activity, the fitness level of the individual, and his nutritional status. A single bout of short and intensive aerobic and anaerobic exercise usually increases serum testosterone level. Prolonged moderate to intense exercise (> 2 hours) leads to an initial increase followed by a decline to or below the baseline levels. Exercise training frequently results in a decrease of serum testosterone, and may rarely be associated with reduced libido, sperm production and fertility. In addition, the reduced testosterone levels may attenuate the exercise-associated muscle hypertrophy, reduce the repair of muscle damage, reduce post exercise muscle rehabilitation and may play an important role in the development of over-training syndrome. Other consequences include decreased bone density and a possible effect on mood and behavior. Surprisingly, even in the medically well-supervised elite athletes, changes in testosterone levels and their effects on performance and health are rarely evaluated.

[Bane]

possible explanations for reduced sex-drive in a young, athletic man:

1. overtraining
2. certain stimulants
3. certain anabolics / steroids
4. he has another girlfriend

5. Not enough calories

[DRP7]

5. Not enough calories

exactely. and/or wrong diet (e.g. deficiency of saturated/monounsaturated fatty acids, zinc deficiency etc...).

[killmaggie]

well since ive been working out consecutively and noticing results., I notice girls wanting to touch me,. ., increasing my sex drive. its a pretty good thing. yes it is.

[tylerone]

Hell yes it does. Strength or hypertrophy training results in greater efficiency of EVERY bodily process-including hormone release.

thats what i say

[redsgift101]

Over trainning can sap your sex-drive like nothing else.

I beleive there is evidence that over trainning can lower testosterone.

After working all day and then hitting the gym hard, i'm sapped. I have no energy for anything after that except food and sleep.

ill second that

[killmaggie]

well since ive been working out consecutively and noticing results., I notice girls wanting to touch me,. ., increasing my sex drive. its a pretty good thing. yes it is.

ill second this

[skinnydude]

All I know is I worked out and bulked from 15 years old and was a horny mofo with 24hr boners but couldn't get laid for sh!t, always busy, eating, working out, being healthy, not drinking, never out much.

Then I spent 1-2 years as an on-off alcoholic binge drinker and I was getting pussy but had ED and wasn't much horny.

The irony.

[alaska21]

Since going low carb and low cal on this contest prep diet I have no sex drive whatsoever. However I am single right now so who cares lol

[Grimbeard]

Hi I'm new here so let me chime in by saying ever since I've been on a steady lifting schedule women stare at me now wherever I go, it's crazy...I always had some looks here and there before, but now it's like i'm a rockstar or somebody famous lol...must be the testosterone levels are through the fuggin roof!

[RMA08]

Can lack of calories really effect your sex drive.

[Bane]

Can lack of calories really effect your sex drive.

Most certan;ly yes

[RMA08]

Thanks for the quick response,So low calories for a extended time can cause a dip in sex drive and maybe possibly a slight case of ED you think.