Intense Workouts Could Be Ruining Your Sex Life, Study Finds (4 photos)
Modern society heavily promotes fitness culture, framing a lifestyle without regular workouts as unappealing and prone to disease. However, recent research shows that grueling gym sessions can actually take a toll on male virility and lead to frustration in the bedroom. 
Couch potatoes everywhere can now breathe a sigh of relief and stop agonizing over buying a gym membership. A study conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina, led by Professor Anthony Hackney, revealed that a fit body doesn't always come with a healthy sex drive. 
The study surveyed 1,100 men who regularly hit the gym. Participants were asked about their workout routines, exercise intensity, and intimate details of their personal lives. Because the survey was anonymous, there is no reason to doubt their honesty.
The results showed that men who pushed themselves to the limit—believing a good workout must be exhausting—had significantly less sex. Surprisingly, this hardly bothered them; their reduced libido meant they were perfectly fine with the lack of action. 
Even when these gym-goers did decide to engage in intimacy, they struggled to impress their partners with staying power, as this group saw the highest rates of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Heavy exercisers ended up being the most frequent clients for urologists, sex therapists, and psychologists.
It turns out that building muscle as a guaranteed way to sweep women off their feet might backfire. While a toned physique might make a great first impression, it carries a high risk of disappointment later on. Dr. Anthony Hackney blames physical exhaustion from overtraining, which tanks the body's production of testosterone—the vital male hormone. 
Until recently, exercise was thought to directly stimulate hormone release, including testosterone. While that remains partially true, Hackney warns that moderation is key. The line where exercise stops being beneficial and starts causing harm can be hard to spot, but keeping workouts reasonable guarantees you'll reap only the benefits.
