{"id":252126,"date":"2021-09-24T13:25:27","date_gmt":"2021-09-24T17:25:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oviahealth.com\/?post_type=article&p=252126"},"modified":"2025-08-05T17:30:06","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T21:30:06","slug":"what-is-a-kegel-really","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.oviahealth.com\/guide\/252126\/what-is-a-kegel-really\/","title":{"rendered":"Kegels: your guide to the pelvic floor exercise you\u2019re always hearing about"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you’ve been spending time with friends with little ones at home, they may have recommended that you start practicing your kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor<\/a>. But unlike a push-up, a quick Google search can still leave you feeling confused about what a kegel really<\/em> is. We\u2019ll walk you through what a kegel is and how to know if you\u2019re doing this exercise correctly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pelvic floor<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, a quick note about the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor is an important set of muscles beneath your pelvic organs that support them \u2014 like a hammock holding everything together. The pelvic floor wraps around the bladder, rectum, and both vagina and uterus (or prostate). Pelvic floor muscles control bladder and bowel function \u2014 this is why you can feel your pelvic floor muscles relaxing when, for example, you pee. These muscles also work together to stabilize your spine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a kegel, really?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first step is to identify your pelvic floor muscles. This can be done by tightening the area around your vagina (imagine trying to hold in a tampon) and around your rectum. You should be feeling the muscles tighten particularly in the back of the pelvic floor towards your rectum. If you\u2019re not confident you\u2019ve found them, speak with your provider who can help you identify these muscles! They might even recommend a pelvic floor physical therapist.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting started<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once you’ve identified these muscles it’s time to start your kegel exercises. Start by rolling out a yoga mat or finding a particularly comfortable spot on the rug and lie down on your back. Once you get the hang of them, you can practice your kegel exercises while sitting, standing, doing anything really, but as you learn to identify the right muscles, it’s helpful to lie on your back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting kegel exercises right<\/h3>\n\n\n\n