Could Pelvic PT Boost Your Workout?

Is it time to add pelvic floor exercise to your training schedule? We reveal why you shouldn't overlook these important muscles

- By Joanna Ebsworth

We think nothing of hiring personal trainers, sports coaches, physios and massage therapists to improve our athletic performance and keep our bodies in check, but should we be adding physiotherapy for the pelvic floor - or 'pelvic PT' - to that list? Growing evidence suggests we should, and not just in preparation to give birth or get our pelvic floor back in shape post-partum.

Various studies show that participation in certain kinds of activity (think: cycling, weightlifting and forms of high-impact exercise such as running and jumping) can take a toll on the pelvic floor, potentially leading to a number of health issues over time. Worryingly, these issues may not only impact on your enjoyment of sport now, but also prevent you from exercising in the future.

Thankfully, there are many steps you can take to strengthen your pelvic floor and protect it from harm. Not only will they improve performance in the gym (and the bedroom), they'll also boost your self-confidence and help you to carry out daily tasks more easily.

ANATOMY 101