We’re proud to present an interview with pseudonymous author Wilma Fingerfit, whose book Sexercise: F*ck Yourself Fit and Burn While You Bang (Cleis Press). Learn more about these exercises and sex positions that can help keep you in shape while you’re getting it on.
How did you get the idea for this book and the various exercises in it? Did you test out all of the positions?
As humans we live such busy lives, and often neglect or forget to tend to some of our needs that benefit not only our physical, but mental health. How many times do we find ourselves saying there aren’t enough hours in the day to hit the gym, let alone make time for physical intimacy with our partner(s) or ourselves? Sometimes it’s all about consolidation; killing two birds with one stone so to speak. Sex can be a very strenuous activity, and research has shown that on average, women can burn up to 69 calories during intercourse, and men up to 101 calories. Sure, it’s not a session on the treadmill, but it will get your heart racing just the same and burn some calories! I do not believe that sexercising should at all replace regular fitness, but it is surely a fun alternative when you are short on time and need to connect with your intimate side. Most of the positions were inspired by sex positions that already exist, yoga positions, dances, and general workout moves.
Of course all the positions were tested out. You wouldn’t write a cookbook without testing all the recipes first, right ?
How easy is sexercise to incorporate into a person’s sex life? Do you have to have a certain level of fitness to perform them?
It is all about timing, and putting aside an hour or two in a day. It is dedicated to finding those little moments where physical activity is already taking place, and taking it to the next level. This book was written for rookie rompers, seasoned sexperts, and everyone in between! Within these pages, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Are these exercises people of any sexual orientation can do?
Absolutely! Sexercising favors nobody; it is meant for everybody. We encourage the use of toys whenever possible, and condoms and lube for safety. These are not just sex moves that require a penis or vagina; they were meant to be performed with whatever bits you are working with! We encourage everyone to make these workouts their own, tailored to their own specific needs or body type, so long as safety and consent are always the top priorities.
How can the exercises in Sexercise make sex more fun?
Someone’s sex life becoming “vanilla” is a common complaint I hear often. Whether you are younger and the bang is fizzling out quite literally, you are seasoned lovers and the spark has been lost over time, or are single and tired of your self-love routine, it is important to remember that mixing things up can make a huge difference. Sexercising can add fun, laughter, and a challenging aspect to sex with fun spin-offs of everyday positions. Not only are some of these positions hilarious, but they require us to step a bit out of our regular romp routine, which is always exciting because we can discover a new side of ourselves!
There’s a lot of humor in Sexercise; how are laughter and humor a part of sex and getting fit?
Glad you asked about this. Sex of course can be very serious, but it is also very fun. Laughter is such an important thing to factor into our intimate lives and relationships. Let’s be honest, sometimes situations get awkward or our endorphins are running wild. What’s the fun if we can’t laugh about it every now and then? It simply releases tension, allows us to breathe for a moment, and remember that we are human. Laughter is said to be the best form of medicine, but did you also know that laughter naturally improves your metabolism, exercises our abdominal core and can burn up to 40 calories! (This varies depending on how hard you laugh and your body type of course). And that is just if you laugh for 15 minutes a day. . . Humor can also bring us closer together and reminds us that we have a playful side that is easy to forget in the hectic, humdrum day-to-day routines.
You have sexercises that work the triceps, the core, the glutes and other muscles. Was it a challenge to try to incorporate the various muscle groups or did that happen organically?
Surprisingly, it happened quite organically. We don’t realize that we use almost all of our muscles when performing sex acts, which is why we can feel so loose afterwards, or even spent after a good roll in the sheets. The tricky part was figuring out how to incorporate sex positions with everyday workout moves or activities, like say reaching for the remote or turning off the beside lamp!
You include stretches to start and cooling down exercises at the end. Why is that important?
I wanted to structure this book the way an actual workout would be structured. After all, sex is a workout in itself. It is important to make sure your body is feeling limber, and “ready-to-go.” That is where stretching and foreplay comes in; you want to prep your body for the more taxing activities ahead. After a round or ten of sexercising, you want to cool down, just like you would with any workout at the gym. It is important to let the body have that period of relaxation and breathing during the “come down.” Enjoying these sexercises and having fun is the main goal, but we want to make sure that we are also taking care of our bodies, and not straining any muscles or causing unknown damage.
What’s your favorite sexercise position and why is it your favorite?
I’d have to say my personal favorite is a beginner’s move called “The Bridge of Thighs.” This is simply due to the fact that it can be performed on a bed or even a yoga mat, or any comfortable surface, and is such an important part of starting any sexual activity. Oral sex, although a wonderful form of foreplay, seems to often be forgotten or overlooked. This move gives partners the chance to experience one of the most intimate of activities, and can really get the juices flowing. This position also calls for equal opportunity and provides pleasure for all involved, as the “exercise” aspect is the physical act of getting up and taking turns. It is almost an “edging” experience as well, which can really make sex even more mind-blowing and orgasms more intense!
Anything else to add?
Just a few things: Safety is sexy, consent is always a requirement, and don’t forget to do your warm-ups. You don’t want your roll in the hay to become a week of back pain. Just like you would for any new health regimen or workout routine, please be sure to ask your doctor if it is safe if you have any pre-existing medical conditions. Oh, and this is super important: remember to have fun!