If You’re Not Doing This Exercise, Your Sex Life Is Suffering
This probably isn’t the first time you’ve heard of Kegel exercises, but it might be the first time you hear of them for men. Kegels have traditionally been practiced by women to strengthen and tighten the pelvic floor muscles, with a specific emphasis on post-partum recovery. But these basic exercises are extremely beneficial for men, too, especially when it comes to bladder control and sexual performance.
What Are Dude Kegels?
Kegel exercises work to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which stretch from the base of your penis to the tailbone (think a hammock connecting the two). When we age, it’s natural for our muscles to loosen, but Kegels help to tighten them, preventing your bladder and bowel from sagging down and causing a whole host of inconvenient problems. The exercise was developed in the late 1940s by gynecologist Dr. Arnold H. Kegel (makes sense) to prevent women from leaking urine after childbirth without the need for pelvic-tightening surgery.
The Benefits of Kegels for Men
Kegel exercises are equally as important for men and can improve urinary and fecal control (so you don’t relieve yourself at inopportune times) and improve your bedroom activities. Kegels can increase sexual pleasure with better ejaculation control and stronger orgasms since your pelvic floor muscles are active during sex and help increase blood flow. Yep, they have the power to make you last longer and make sex feel better.
Sex Life
How Do I Find My Pelvic Floor?
Your pelvic floor muscles can control your ability to go to the bathroom, as they help your urethra and anus squeeze up into the pelvis. A real world scenario: Imagine someone walking in on you while you’re peeing and you need to quickly stop the flow. Those muscles you clench are your pelvic floor muscles. You’ve found them.
How to Perform Kegels
For those looking to strengthen these pelvic floor muscles, you can do Kegels sitting, standing, or walking, which makes them easy to do incognito and add into your daily routine. By tightening your pelvic floor muscles (in a manner described above), contract and relax for a few seconds with 10 reps three times daily.
Should Men Really Do Kegels?
No one is going to force you to work out your pelvic floor. No gym meathead will ask you how many Kegel reps you’ve done that day. But for men looking to improve sexual and urinary health, Kegel exercises are no brainers. You may be able to control your bladder just fine right now, but when it comes to the bedroom—both you and your partner will thank you. And probably the late Dr. Kegel, too.
