Mistake: believing everyone should do kegel exercises

According to the experts, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to pelvic floor training, and while kegel exercises are extremely useful for many women, they may be inappropriate for anyone struggling with tension in their pelvis.

“It can be very tempting to try kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor; however, kegel exercises can be counterintuitive for women who suffer from extreme overflow or stress incontinence (leaking when coughing or laughing),” says Carl Smith, personal trainer and CEO of Active Careers. “Most pelvic floor issues arise from overuse of the muscles, which causes them to weaken over time. This is why pelvic floor issues are a common factor for many female athletes,” he adds.

5 mistakes you might be making when trying to strengthen your pelvic floor, according to a women’s health physio