What Exercises Are Good for Improving Pelvic Health?
Pelvic health is a crucial yet often overlooked part of overall well-being, especially for women after childbirth, men with prostate issues, or anyone dealing with bladder, bowel, or core stability problems. The pelvic floor muscles support vital organs such as the bladder, uterus (in women), rectum, and bowel. When these muscles weaken, issues like incontinence, prolapse, or reduced sexual function can arise.
The good news is that with the right pelvic health exercises, you can strengthen these muscles, improve control, and boost overall quality of life. In this blog, we’ll explore the best exercises for improving pelvic health, how to perform them safely, and tips to make them part of your daily routine.
Understanding Pelvic Health
Before diving into specific exercises, it’s important to understand what pelvic health means.
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissues that stretch like a hammock from your tailbone to your pubic bone. They:
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Support the bladder, bowel, and uterus/prostate
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Control urinary and bowel movements
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Play a role in sexual health and satisfaction
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Assist with core strength and stability
When these muscles become weak—due to childbirth, surgery, aging, obesity, or chronic coughing—it can lead to urinary leakage, prolapse, or pelvic discomfort. Strengthening these muscles through specific exercises can significantly improve function.
Best Exercises for Improving Pelvic Health
Here are the most effective exercises recommended by physiotherapists and health experts:
1. Kegel Exercises
Kegels are the most well-known and effective exercises for pelvic health.
How to do it:
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Sit or lie down comfortably.
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Tighten the muscles you’d use to stop urination midstream.
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Hold the contraction for 5–10 seconds.
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Relax for 5 seconds.
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Repeat 10–15 times, 2–3 times a day.
Benefits:
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Strengthens bladder control
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Helps post-childbirth recovery
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Improves sexual function
Tip: Avoid doing Kegels while urinating regularly, as it can weaken bladder function.
2. Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)
This yoga-inspired move works your pelvic floor, glutes, and lower back.
How to do it:
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Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
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Keep arms at your sides.
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Lift your hips toward the ceiling while squeezing your pelvic floor muscles.
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Hold for 5 seconds, then lower down.
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Repeat 10–15 times.
Benefits:
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Strengthens pelvic and core muscles
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Enhances posture
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Reduces lower back pain
3. Squats
Squats not only tone your legs but also engage the pelvic floor muscles.
How to do it:
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Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
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Lower your hips as if sitting in a chair.
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Keep knees behind toes and back straight.
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Squeeze your pelvic floor as you return to standing.
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Do 10–15 repetitions.
Benefits:
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Improves overall pelvic stability
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Builds core and leg strength
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Helps prevent prolapse
4. Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana)
A gentle yoga stretch that improves pelvic flexibility and relaxation.
How to do it:
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Lie on your back.
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Pull your knees toward your chest.
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Hold your feet with your hands, keeping knees wide.
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Gently rock side to side.
Benefits:
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Relieves pelvic tension
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Improves blood circulation
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Enhances flexibility of pelvic muscles
5. Bird Dog Exercise
This core-stability move strengthens the pelvic floor along with abdominal muscles.
How to do it:
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Get on all fours with hands under shoulders and knees under hips.
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Extend your right arm forward and left leg backward.
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Hold for 5 seconds, then switch sides.
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Repeat 10 times per side.
Benefits:
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Enhances pelvic and spinal alignment
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Strengthens deep core muscles
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Improves balance
6. Heel Slides
A beginner-friendly exercise to activate pelvic and core muscles.
How to do it:
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Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat.
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Engage your pelvic floor and slowly slide one heel forward.
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Return to start and switch sides.
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Repeat 10–12 times per leg.
Benefits:
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Improves pelvic stability
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Strengthens lower abs
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Gentle on joints
7. Butterfly Stretch
Great for improving flexibility of the pelvic region.
How to do it:
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Sit with knees bent outward and soles of feet touching.
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Hold your ankles and let knees drop toward the floor.
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Hold the stretch for 30–60 seconds.
Benefits:
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Increases pelvic mobility
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Relieves pelvic tension
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Enhances circulation
8. Plank Pose
A powerful full-body exercise that also engages pelvic floor muscles.
How to do it:
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Lie face down, then lift onto forearms and toes.
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Keep body straight, tightening abs and pelvic muscles.
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Hold for 20–40 seconds.
Benefits:
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Strengthens pelvic floor and core
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Improves posture
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Builds endurance
9. Wall Sits
A simple yet effective way to engage pelvic floor muscles.
How to do it:
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Stand with your back against a wall.
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Slide down until knees are bent at 90 degrees.
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Engage your pelvic muscles and hold for 30–60 seconds.
Benefits:
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Builds lower body strength
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Improves pelvic control
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Supports bladder health
10. Deep Belly Breathing (Diaphragmatic Breathing)
Breathing exercises help coordinate pelvic floor movement with the diaphragm.
How to do it:
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Sit comfortably or lie on your back.
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Place one hand on your chest and one on your belly.
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Breathe deeply, expanding your belly and gently engaging pelvic muscles as you exhale.
Benefits:
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Relieves pelvic floor tension
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Improves relaxation and circulation
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Reduces stress-related pelvic issues
Additional Tips for Pelvic Health
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Consistency is key – Do exercises daily for best results.
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Maintain good posture – Sitting or standing correctly reduces pressure on pelvic floor.
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Stay hydrated – Helps bladder function.
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Avoid constipation – High-fiber diet prevents straining.
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Manage weight – Extra weight increases pelvic stress.
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Seek professional help – A pelvic floor physiotherapist can guide with personalized plans.
When to See a Doctor
While exercises are effective, consult a healthcare professional if you experience:
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Persistent urinary leakage
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Severe pelvic pain
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Signs of prolapse (feeling of heaviness or bulge)
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Difficulty with bowel movements
Conclusion
Improving pelvic health is essential for both men and women, especially after childbirth, surgery, or with aging. By incorporating exercises like Kegels, squats, bridges, planks, and yoga stretches, you can strengthen the pelvic floor, improve bladder and bowel control, enhance sexual health, and boost overall well-being.
Make these exercises part of your routine, combine them with a healthy lifestyle, and consult experts when needed. Your pelvic floor is a foundation for your core health—take care of it daily.