Why Kegels Arent Enough: Training Your Pelvic Floor for Real Life.

When most people think of pelvic floor exercises, their minds immediately go to Kegels. You know, that classic “squeeze and hold” technique. While Kegels can be beneficial, they’re only one part of the puzzle. In fact, if you’re relying solely on Kegels to strengthen your pelvic floor, you could be missing out on a major piece of the picture—how your pelvic floor works as you move.

Pelvic Floor and Movement: A Dynamic Duo

Your pelvic floor isn’t meant to operate in isolation. It’s a dynamic part of your body that works in conjunction with your core, your breath, and how you move throughout the day. Whether you’re lifting your kids, carrying groceries, or going for a run, your pelvic floor is part of the team. If we train it to engage only when we’re sitting still, we lose out on the benefits of having a pelvic floor that’s responsive and adaptable to life’s movements.

Why Kegels Alone Won’t Cut It

Imagine this: you’re nailing your Kegels during your 5-minute pelvic floor routine, but later in the day, you bend down to lift a heavy box or twist awkwardly to grab something off a shelf. If you’re employing poor lifting or moving strategies, all that Kegel work is essentially undone. Your pelvic floor is a key player in supporting your body’s movements, but if the rest of your body isn’t in alignment, it’s like trying to play a game with a mismatched team.

Train for Real Life

So, how do we train our pelvic floor to work with our body, rather than against it? It starts by learning to integrate pelvic floor exercises into functional movements. Here’s what that might look like:

Breath Work: Your breath plays a huge role in pelvic floor function. Diaphragmatic breathing (or deep belly breathing) helps engage the pelvic floor naturally. When you exhale, your pelvic floor should gently lift. When you inhale, it should relax. Practicing this while lifting, twisting, or even walking can help your pelvic floor sync up with your movements.

Functional Movement: Think about the everyday tasks you do—lifting, bending, reaching. These are the moments when your pelvic floor needs to step up. Incorporating pelvic floor engagement into exercises like squats, lunges, and lifting can help you train your body for the demands of real life.

Posture and Alignment: The way you stand, sit, and move can affect how your pelvic floor functions. Maintaining good posture and proper body mechanics, especially when lifting or exercising, can reduce strain and help your pelvic floor stay strong and supportive.

Setting Yourself Up for Success

The goal isn’t just to have a strong pelvic floor—it’s to have a pelvic floor that works with your body, not just during a specific exercise, but in every movement you make. By integrating pelvic floor training into how you move in everyday life, you’ll set yourself up for success. No more “undoing” the benefits of your exercises with poor movement patterns. Instead, you’ll be building a body that’s strong, resilient, and capable of supporting you through all of life’s twists, turns, and lifts.

Ready to Take Your Pelvic Floor to the Next Level?

If you’re ready to go beyond Kegels and start training your pelvic floor to work with your body in real-life movements, I’ve got just the thing for you. My VIP Membership gives you access to my in-demand pelvic floor programme, designed to help you build strength, confidence, and body awareness. You’ll learn how to integrate pelvic floor training into your daily life, whether you’re exercising, lifting, or just living.

Join a community of women who are building lifelong strength—sign up today and start your journey towards a healthier, more connected body. Click here to learn more and grab your spot!