Embarrassing Gym Issues: Do You Pee When You Exercise?
By admin
Have you ever found yourself mid jumping jack with the classic panic stricken, eyes popping out with the “dear in headlights” expression because suddenly you feel a little trickle?
You peed right before you started your workout, yet just minutes in and you are already sprinting back to the bathroom.
Sprinting, not because you’re trying to squeeze in the best workout out of every minute you have, but because if you don’t sprint you’re going to have not just a little trickle, but a full on accident?
It happens.
I train women, only women, and I can assure you that your’e not alone. In fact, when I asked you guys if you had any questions several of you asked me to address this issue…
So let’s do!
Every class of mine starts out just fine and suddenly a few minutes in, clients are doing the pee-dance as they wait their turn to get into the bathroom.
It’s frustrating and of course, it’s embarrassing.
Sure it’s normal for the moms,but that doesn’t mean it’s acceptable or that you want to workout in pee-pants. Right?
So let’s dissect this whole pee problem and perhaps discover a solution so that the pre-workout pee is plenty enough to get you through an entire workout of jumping jacks, running, squatting and what else you’ve got planned.
First…
What Kind Of Woman Pees On Herself?
That kind of woman that is normal. It’s not something to be ashamed of, yes it can be embarrassing but realize that if you’re a workout pee-er you’re not alone.
And believe it or not, a weak bladder is not a sign of a person’s fitness level. I know a lot of women who are in amazing shape, that work out regularly and look amazing who battle with weak bladder.
What I think we can all agree on is that there is one commonality between the exercise twinklers…
Kids.
- One out of every three women who have vaginal births, wet themselves.
- A women who has had a baby is 3x more likely to wet herself than a lady who hasn’t had children.
Why Does Pregnancy Cause Urine Leakage?
It’s not pregnancy but delivery that causes urine leakage… even long after the baby has turned into a child.
When a baby moves down the birth canal, it (the canal) becomes stretched, along with the nerves, ligaments and pelvic floor muscles that control the urethra (bladder opening).
All of that is to say that the muscles can become weak, along with structural support around the bladder resulting in “mini-accidents” when coughing, sneezing, and of course, exercising.
Just like with any weak muscle, if you don’t train it then it’s not going to get stronger.
Left as is, things can only get worst due to natural weakening from aging.
Women are so lucky, right? I have never heard a guy complain of having to pee after doing 5 jumping jacks.
How To Tone Your Pelvic Muscles
First off, the pelvic floor muscles do more than just allow you to hold your urine until you get to the bathroom.
They also:
- Help to close off the vagina, anus and of course the bladder.
- Help hold the bladder, uterus and bowel in their proper place.
If those muscles are lose, you’re also feeling that urge to pee because your bladder is literally bouncing around.
So the question becomes…
By regularly working them. Just like you work your abs to get them stronger, or your legs to get them more toned. You have to work at it… regularly.
I’ll be honest…
I’ve seen some women that simply can not regain strength in their “down there” muscles and they end up resorting to surgery to help with their bladder issues. In fact, I am even going to be interviewing one of our trainers soon that has just recently had her bladder tacked.
But that might not be you… you might just require some kegel exercises and with time, you’ll notice the urge to pee during a workout decreases until suddenly, you’re no longer having to workout next to a bathroom at all.
Sounds good, right?
Start by sitting upright in a chair, back supported. Relax your abs and thighs, and just breath normal.Now it’s time to contract… just imagine squeezing your vagina and lifting it up (from the inside).
You’ll feel the pelvic floor lift, though when you first start it might seem small, or even nonexistent depending on the weakness of your muscles.
Make sure to breath! Don’t draw in your abs, as this will actually decrease the pelvic contraction. However, you will naturally feel your lower abs gently pull with the squeeze and lift. That’s a good thing!
So that’s the basic move, now what?
- Start off holding for just 2-5 seconds. Then rest 5 seconds and repeat. Continue on for 5-6 sets.
- After a few days, up the time to 5-8 seconds, with an 8 second rest. Continue again for 5-6 seconds.
- Continue working your way up by adding time, once you’re able to hold the kegel move for 10 seconds, take your rest time down to 5 seconds between sets.
- And finally, work until you can do 5 sets holding as long as possible with the ultimate goal to get to 60 seconds
Just like with any muscle group, you don’t want to work your pelvic floor muscles too often, leaving them with no time to rest and strengthen.
At the same time, if this is an issue that you find yourself battling with, don’t let it become something you work on just every once in a while.
Ultimately, I suggest doing the kegel routine 3 times/week. It can even be done when driving in the car.
Super easy to fit into the day! And of course keep up with your normal exercise routine. Don’t let a little tinkle issue leave you sitting on the sidelines.
If you need a little guidance, follow along with this 10 minute workout from PelvicExercises.com.au
I am excited that this is just the 1 out of a new series I’ll be putting together regarding women’s embarrassing fitness issues… why?
Because we’ve all been there and it’s important to address what’s normal and what’s not. Plus of course what we can do to help.
So if you have an embarrassing exercise issue, feel free share below or shoot me an email!
Sources For This Post:
- http://www.continence.org.nz/pages/One-in-three-woman-who-ever-had-a-baby-wet-themselves/38/
- http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Programs-and-Services/Womens-Continence-and-Pelvic-Health-Center/Nonsurgical-Treatments.aspx