does abstaining from all sexual activity help increase strength gains when working...

[andrew112]

does abstaining from all sexual activity for an extended amount of time help increase strength gains when working out? also, if one abstains from all sexual activity for a very long time, does that increase strength gains even more? in other words, the longer one abstains from sexual activity, the stronger one's body will become over time. is this true?

[WhiteCrow]

Originally Posted by andrew112

does abstaining from all sexual activity for an extended amount of time help increase strength gains when working out? also, if one abstains from all sexual activity for a very long time, does that increase strength gains even more? in other words, the longer one abstains from sexual activity, the stronger one's body will become over time. is this true?

I have found that abstaining from ejaculation makes you more energetic, which in turn makes you stronger in the gym. Research supports this, finding an increase in serum testosterone after 7 days of non-ejaculation.

However, abstaining from SEX lowers testosterone, and thus lowers strenght.

[andrew112]

Originally Posted by WhiteCrow

I have found that abstaining from ejaculation makes you more energetic, which in turn makes you stronger in the gym. Research supports this, finding an increase in serum testosterone after 7 days of non-ejaculation.

However, abstaining from SEX lowers testosterone, and thus lowers strenght.

I have heard that if one gets an erection and does not ejaculate following the erection, one attains a condition called "blue balls", which is supposed to be painful. what if one just abstained from getting erections altogether--in other words, abstaining from pretty much all sexual activity or anything to do with sexual activity? would that lower or raise testosterone levels?

[rocksupreme]

Abstaining totally from sexual activity and thought is like becoming a virtual eunuch. I can't see how this would increase your strength.

Honestly, if you are looking to increase energy and testosterone for better results in the gym, there are much easier and better-researched ways. I'd suggest enjoying as much sex as you like and focusing on diet and recovery methods to manage your hormones and energy for training.

[jeff3]

Originally Posted by andrew112

I have heard that if one gets an erection and does not ejaculate following the erection, one attains a condition called "blue balls", which is supposed to be painful. what if one just abstained from getting erections altogether--in other words, abstaining from pretty much all sexual activity or anything to do with sexual activity? would that lower or raise testosterone levels?

That's not true, at least as an absolute. A normal adult male will have many erections without ejaculating , it's reaching a high level of arousal without ejaculating that causes the condition you mentioned.

You could avoid sexual thoughts and feelings if your testosterone level is low enough, but that would be counterproductive to bodybuilding. I think the idea is to channel the sexual energy into the workout so that it dissipates.

[andrew112]

Originally Posted by jeff3

That's not true, at least as an absolute. A normal adult male will have many erections without ejaculating , it's reaching a high level of arousal without ejaculating that causes the condition you mentioned.

You could avoid sexual thoughts and feelings if your testosterone level is low enough, but that would be counterproductive to bodybuilding. I think the idea is to channel the sexual energy into the workout so that it dissipates.

so in other words, if one gets a sexual thought or feeling, one should immediately start working out in order to increase one's strength gains, but if one abstains from all sexual thoughts and feelings altogether then testosterone levels will fall?

[sepiagal]

Each ejaculate contains vitamins, minerals and amino acids like zinc and arginine. Both zinc and arginine can boost sex drive. Bodybuilders use both zinc and arginine to improve performance.

So multiple ejaculations before an event might be counterproductive. I think it may be possible to compensate for a normal sex life or a moderate amount of sex with proper supplements. There aren't large amounts of nutrients lost in an ejaculate so it shouldn't be a bid disadvantagous.

[christopherspeer]

Has anyone done any real research on this? Links? Books recommendations?

[rocksupreme]

Originally Posted by andrew112

so in other words, if one gets a sexual thought or feeling, one should immediately start working out in order to increase one's strength gains, but if one abstains from all sexual thoughts and feelings altogether then testosterone levels will fall?

I'm sorry, but this just strikes me as very funny. The last thing I want to see when I go to the gym as a bunch of guys squatting and benching with giant boners...

[pjhaggerty]

I don't know scientifically rather this is true or not. But I do know that if I sacrificed sex to work out, I would resent working out as it was taking away sex. This would lead to me wanting to either stop working out so I could have sex, or break the habit and have sex. Psychologically it would be unsustainable.

[funchy]

I have the opposite experience, perhaps because I am female? The more activity, the better I feel. It's a release of stress that allows by body to relax, heal, rebuild, and feel better.

Originally Posted by sepiagal

Each ejaculate contains vitamins, minerals and amino acids like zinc and arginine.... Bodybuilders use both zinc and arginine to improve performance.

This strikes me as funny. It makes me wonder if women porn stars make for great bodybuilders?

[pauldickinson]

My friend once told me that some old school martial art teachers tell their students to refrain from sexual activity before a fight, I'm guessing it would be for focus and energy. But, I do think that sexual activity increases your testosterone, which is what you want if you're going in to the gym! Although like Sepiagal said, numberous times might be counterproductive. I know that if I spent the day doing it 10 times I'd stay in bed and be napping for the majority of that, especially since the chemicals released in the male body cause a sleepy reaction!

[Barcs]

Originally Posted by andrew112

I have heard that if one gets an erection and does not ejaculate following the erection, one attains a condition called "blue balls", which is supposed to be painful.

The condition you refer to is not caused by getting an erection and then not ejaculating. It is caused by sexual stimulation to the point of near orgasm and then stopping, and yes, it can be quite painful.

[andrew112]

Originally Posted by pauldickinson

My friend once told me that some old school martial art teachers tell their students to refrain from sexual activity before a fight, I'm guessing it would be for focus and energy. But, I do think that sexual activity increases your testosterone, which is what you want if you're going in to the gym! Although like Sepiagal said, numberous times might be counterproductive. I know that if I spent the day doing it 10 times I'd stay in bed and be napping for the majority of that, especially since the chemicals released in the male body cause a sleepy reaction!

then I guess refraining from all sexual activity at all times would be the best thing to do then because now that I think about it, there are people who can take down huge muscular fighters that are not muscularly strong/big at all, through the usage of martial arts or some other technique. so in other words, refraining from all sexual activity might lower testosterone levels and thus decrease strength gains, but one does not need to be muscularly strong in order to have victory; all one needs to be is mentally and psychologically strong in order to achieve victory. think about it, was christ himself an indulging being? no, he was not, and he was the most victorious being to have ever walked the face of the earth. he was also incredibly strong because of his discipline and nonindulging nature. therefore, I think I will stick to not indulging in any type of sexual activity or anything to do with sexual activity. also, I now remember reading that bodybuilders actually refrain from all sexual activity in order to obtain a more "ripped" and "veiny" physique, and in turn they actually have more muscular strength/energy.