I know what you're thinking, 'Kegels? Pelvic floor? Isn't this stuff only for women?’ No! Whilst these phrases are commonly talked about in the context of women's health, they are just as important for men as well.
So why should anyone be doing kegels or pelvic floor exercises? The primary reason is to avoid weak pelvic floor muscles. Weak pelvic floor muscles can lead to incontinence.
Men can become particularly susceptible to developing a weak pelvic floor if they have health conditions such as diabetes, obesity or an overactive bladder. Other conditions or activities that can lead to a weak pelvic floor are sneezing, bronchitis, asthma, lifting heavy weights, traumatic injury, ageing, associated straining of chronic constipation or extending periods of time coughing.
Please don’t fret! There is plenty to be done to strengthen the pelvic floor and we’ve summed up some of our favourite exercises to get you started.
5 Exercises To Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor
1. Kegel Exercises
Kegel exercises are commonly known and designed to help strengthen pelvic floor muscles.
Tighten your pelvic floor muscles by squeezing and holding tight the muscles in your pelvic area. The idea is to isolate and squeeze tight your pelvic floor muscles.
In order to reach the most benefit, try not to use your stomach muscles (ie abdominals), buttocks or thighs.
Kegel exercises can be done, sitting, lying down or standing.
Continue to breathe in and out whilst squeezing and doing your pelvic floor exercises.
Trying not to hold your breath will help you find your pelvic floor muscles.
Hold the contraction for 3 seconds and then relax for 3 seconds.
Repeat this exercise in sets of 10.
Start once, then twice, then three times each day.
Try and aim to do 3 sets of 10 repetitions each day 3 times a day.
2. Pelvic tilt
Lie on your back on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor - your feet and knees can be slightly apart but no more than shoulder width apart.
Try to flatten your back by pulling your belly button and stomach inwards, tightening your pelvic area and abdominals towards your spine to help flatten your back.
Keep breathing normally in and out - do not hold your breath.
3. The Pelvic Roll-Up / The Bridge / Bridging
Whilst keeping your shoulders and upper back to the floor, slowly and gently lift your buttocks up off the floor - keeping your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
Squeeze your gluteus maximus muscles (glutes) and backside together.
Squeeze and hold for 5 seconds, and rest for 5 seconds, and repeat.
4. Squats
Stand with feet shoulder width apart and keep both feet flat on the floor.
Try putting your arms out in front of you for balance, or hands on your hips.
(Some people may need to hold on to a firm bar for balance).
Bend both your knees nice and slowly - keeping your back straight but leaning slightly forward - making sure your knees are in line with your feet.
Imagine you are almost going to sit on a chair before slowly rising to straighten upright again to a standing position.
Whilst bending your knees slowly down and up - squeeze your buttocks and pelvic floor muscles, and engage your stomach muscles to straighten back up.
Try and build up to 10 repetitions, then build up to 3 sets of 10 squats, and rest between each set of 10 for about 30 seconds.
5. Four point kneeling / 4 point kneeling
Your starting position is on all fours on your hands and knees.
Keep you back nice and straight.
Whilst supporting your core stomach muscles - bring your alternate hand and elbow, along with your alternate knee, in towards your stomach and then stretch your hand and knee back out again.
Repeat 10 times on one side then rest for 30 seconds or as needed. Then repeat 10 times on the other side, using your alternate hand and knee and rest for 30 seconds or as needed.
Build up to 3 sets of 10 on each side, with 30 seconds rest between each set or as needed.
Incontinence exercises
Pelvic floor muscle exercises can assist with preventing incontinence and remedial recovery of incontinence.
Pelvic floor exercises can help to tighten the pelvic floor, which in turn can strengthen the pelvic region in supporting the muscles and prevent the weakening of pelvic floor muscles, or strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, and also tighten pelvic floor muscles.
For Males: Pelvic floor muscle exercises can be used to assist with:
- Exercises for incontinence
- Bowel incontinence exercises
- Exercises for urinary incontinence
Some Men ask: How can I tighten my pelvic floor muscles fast?
The above exercises are a good starting point to try and help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
The rate at which you progress can be tracked, and will vary according to your personal condition levels.
Most importantly, you should seek proper medical advice from your doctor, or your clinic adviser / clinician.
Another good source of pelvic floor information is the Continence of Australia: continence.org.au - Pelvic Floor Muscles.
NIGHT N DAY is a registered NDIS provider.
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Disclaimer: No content on this website, or in this article, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.