Fitness & exerciseGeneral wellnessWeight loss

5 reasons to work out that go beyond weight loss

Work up a sweat for these major health benefits.


LearnFitness5 reasons to work out that go beyond weight loss
It can make sex more enjoyable
You May Live Longer
You’ll Likely Sleep Better
It can help keep your MIND sharp
It could help stave off illness

1 of 6

Want to get stronger, manage your weight, and boost your energy levels? Regular workout sessions can help accomplish all of those things.

But there are other reasons why exercise deserves a spot on your schedule that have nothing to do with weight management—and they could boost your quality of life. Learn about more major payoffs from your workouts.

Sources: Fergus KB, Gaither TW, Baradaran N, et a... + 25
  1. Fergus KB, Gaither TW, Baradaran N, et al. Exercise Improves Self-Reported Sexual Function Among Physically Active Adults. J Sex Med. 2019 Aug;16(8):1236-1245.
  2. Simon RM, Howard L, Zapata D, et al. The association of exercise with both erectile and sexual function in black and white men. J Sex Med. 2015 May;12(5):1202-10.
  3. Sgrò P, Di Luigi L. Sport and male sexuality. J Endocrinol Invest. 2017 Sep;40(9):911-923. doi: 10.1007/s40618-017-0652-8.
  4. Carcelén-Fraile MDC, Aibar-Almazán A, Martínez-Amat A, et al. Effects of Physical Exercise on Sexual Function and Quality of Sexual Life Related to Menopausal Symptoms in Peri- and Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Apr 14;17(8):2680.
  5. Stanton AM, Handy AB, Meston CM. The Effects of Exercise on Sexual Function in Women. Sex Med Rev. 2018 Oct;6(4):548-557.
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Why Should People Be Active? Page last reviewed July 14, 2022.
  7. Carlson SA, Adams EK, Yang Z, et al. Percentage of Deaths Associated With Inadequate Physical Activity in the United States. Prev Chronic Dis. 2018 Mar 29;15:E38.
  8. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition. 2019.
  9. Lee DH, Rezende LFM, Joh HK, et al. Long-Term Leisure-Time Physical Activity Intensity and All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality: A Prospective Cohort of US Adults. Circulation. 2022 Aug 16;146(7):523-534.
  10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Measuring Physical Activity Intensity. Page last reviewed June 3, 2022.
  11. Kakinami L, O'Loughlin EK, Brunet J, et al. Associations between physical activity and sedentary behavior with sleep quality and quantity in young adults. Sleep Health. 2017 Feb;3(1):56-61.
  12. Bodziony V, Stetson B. Associations between sleep, physical activity, and emotional well-being in emerging young adults: Implications for college wellness program development. J Am Coll Health. 2022 May 12:1-11.
  13. Jurado-Fasoli L, De-la-O A, Molina-Hidalgo C, et al. Exercise training improves sleep quality: A randomized controlled trial. Eur J Clin Invest. 2020 Mar;50(3):e13202.
  14. Hasan F, Tu YK, Lin CM, et al. Comparative efficacy of exercise regimens on sleep quality in older adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Sleep Med Rev. 2022 Oct;65:101673.
  15. Brupbacher G, Gerger H, Zander-Schellenberg T, et al. The effects of exercise on sleep in unipolar depression: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Sleep Med Rev. 2021 Oct;59:101452.
  16. Ivy CC, Lockmiller MC, McKay M, et al. The impact of exercise on sleep in people with Parkinson's disease a scoping review. J Clin Neurosci. 2021 Apr;86:223-229.
  17. Alarcón-Gómez J, Chulvi-Medrano I, Martin-Rivera F, et al. Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training on Quality of Life, Sleep Quality, Exercise Motivation and Enjoyment in Sedentary People with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Nov 30;18(23):12612.
  18. Stutz J, Eiholzer R, Spengler CM. Effects of Evening Exercise on Sleep in Healthy Participants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med. 2019 Feb;49(2):269-287.
  19. Kovacevic A, Fenesi B, Paolucci E, et al. The effects of aerobic exercise intensity on memory in older adults. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2020 Jun;45(6):591-600.
  20. Ludyga S, Gerber M, Kamijo K. Exercise types and working memory components during development. Trends Cogn Sci. 2022 Mar;26(3):191-203.
  21. Harvard Health Publishing. Exercise can boost your memory and thinking skills. February 15, 2021.
  22. Ben-Zeev T, Shoenfeld Y, Hoffman JR. The Effect of Exercise on Neurogenesis in the Brain. Isr Med Assoc J. 2022 Aug;24(8):533-538.
  23. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Six Steps to Enhance Immunity. Page last reviewed September 30, 2021.
  24. Gustafson MP, Wheatley-Guy CM, Rosenthal AC, et al. Exercise and the immune system: taking steps to improve responses to cancer immunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer. 2021 Jul;9(7):e001872.
  25. Jones AW, Davison G. Exercise, Immunity, and Illness. Muscle and Exercise Physiology. 2019:317–44.
  26. da Silveira MP, da Silva Fagundes KK, Bizuti MR, et al. Physical exercise as a tool to help the immune system against COVID-19: an integrative review of the current literature. Clin Exp Med. 2021 Feb;21(1):15-28.
Written by Ana Lopez.
Medically reviewed by Megan Burke, MD.July, 2025
Updated onAugust, 2026
Written by Ana Lopez.
Medically reviewed by Megan Burke, MD.July, 2025
Updated onAugust, 2026
AskMDAskMD

Want to optimize your workout?

Get instant answers from our AI health assistant

Ask Now

Recommended for you

Regularly working out goes a long way toward protecting your health.

5 essential reasons to exercise today
Slideshow

Too often we rely on the scale to determine whether we're making progress with our fitness goals but weight loss takes time. Here are signs that you're on the right track.

5 signs your workouts are working despite what the scale says
Video

Learn how regular exercise benefits your health—and how tracking your progress can help.

Top reasons to track your fitness
Article

Breakthrough your weight loss plateau with expert-approved tips.

Working out and not losing weight? here's 5 reasons why
Slideshow

Find out how incorporating a simple daily walk can transform your life.

5 big benefits of walking
Video
AskMDHow can I be more consistent?
AskMD by Sharecare LogoAskMD by Sharecare Logo
Privacy policyConsumer health data privacyTerms of use
Cookie policyYour privacy choices

© 2026 Sharecare, Inc.

ask-mdask-md
AskMD by Sharecare LogoAskMD by Sharecare Logo
Privacy policyConsumer health data privacyTerms of use
Cookie policyYour privacy choices

© 2026 Sharecare, Inc.