If you're not the owner of, um, erectile "equipment," then perhaps you are a person who likes to, uh, "utilize" such equipment, and therefore would be interested in any information pertaining to keeping said equipment in peak operating form.

According to a 2008 article in the International Journal of Impotence Research, "Overweight and obesity may increase the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) by 30–90% as compared with normal weight subjects."

Up to a 90 percent increased risk? Now there is a motivator for weight loss if I've ever heard of one.

Now, this study only looked at how being overweight could cause erectile dysfunction, but did not specifically address how exercise could make for better erections. So what role does exercise play in making Mr. Happy more happy?

Well, first of all, exercise generally does make weight loss easier. An overweight man can create larger caloric deficits (the key to weight loss) by coupling a calorie-reduced diet with additional activity. Beyond that, however, is there something specifically about sweat and effort that contributes to erectile health?

Learn more about improving erectile health after the jump

A 2003 study in the Annals of Internal Medicine provides further insight. The study looked at almost 32,000 men in the 53-90 age group and determined that, in addition to being at a normal body weight, physical activity was associated with improved erectile function.

So what type of exercise are we talking about here? The male version of the kegel that involves clenching your nether regions? Well, that might work some. What works better is exercise that burns lots of calories (because it helps keep your weight down) and gets your heart rate up. Prolonged and intense aerobic exercise serves to improve blood flow and has positive effects on cholesterol levels. If you know anything about how erections work, then you know that improved blood flow is a good thing.

There is also the fact that exercise improves mood in older adults, and if you're in a good mood then you're going to be more inclined towards playing a game of couch rugby than merely sitting on the couch watching some crappy reality TV show.

One final important bit of information is that erectile dysfunction can be an important indicator of forthcoming health problems such as cardiovascular disease. So if you or someone you love is suffering from ED, then take is as an early warning sign of potentially worse things to come.

So, is exercise really a natural form of Viagra? Well, let's just say that it should postpone your need to take those types of drugs, with the added benefit of exercise NOT coming with warnings like "If your erection lasts longer than four hours, consult your physician."

That just made me think of some poor guy at the three hour and 45 minute point lamenting, "Come on! Do I have to wait the full four hours? This thing is killing me!"

I leave you with that image burned into your brain. Enjoy.

James S. Fell is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a middle-aged family man with a desk job and not much free time, yet he's able to keep in shape because he loves exercise and doesn't mind eating healthy. He is the author of Body for Wife: The Family Guy's Guide to Getting in Shape. His column for That's Fit.ca focuses on weightlifting, running and exercise motivation.