Kegel exercises were developed by Dr. Arnold Kegel. Your basic kegel exercise involves simply squeezing your pelvic floor muscles as if to stop the floor of urine or prevent flatulation, though this may not be as simple as it sounds. You may find it easier to locate and activate your pelvic floor muscles by using a kegel exerciser device.
Pelvic Floor Problems
Weak pelvic floor muscles can cause a lot of problems. Incontinence, premature ejaculations and decreased sexual pleasure are just some of the issues you can experience if your pelvic floor muscles lack strength, according to Kegel-Exercises.com. Kegel exercises may also prevent an enlarged prostate, according to Kegel-Exerciser.com.
Benefits
Kegel exerciser devices strengthen the pelvic floor muscles to treat and prevent the problems listed above. Strong kegel muscles from using the devices can even improve your ab workouts. Performing a kegel contraction when doing an abdominal crunch makes your ab muscles work harder, says Michele Olson, Ph.D., a professor of exercise physiology at Auburn University in Montgomery, Ala. in an article for "Fitness."
Where You Can Use the Devices
You do not need to have a home gym to use your kegel exerciser device. Kegel devices can be used almost anywhere including in your home, office or while driving, according to Kegel-Exerciser.com.
Types
Kegel exercise devices made for men are different from those made for women even though the actual exercise and benefits are similar. The devices for women slide into the vagina, but the men's devices go into the anus. There is a seat that is a foam cushion similar to a bicycle seat. These devices will improve muscle tone, according to Kegel-Exerciser.com.
How to Use the Devices
To use the device, place it under your buttocks and sit down on it so that it slides into the anus, as advised by Kegel-Exerciser.com. Squeeze the device with your pelvic floor muscles, hold and release. This activates your pelvic floor muscles. You should notice that your testicles lift when you are during the exercise correctly, according to Kegel-exercises.com. This may take a few weeks.
Muscles
The specific muscle targeted by the kegel devices is the pubococcygeus, or PC, muscle. The PC muscle runs from your tailbone to your pubic bone. Both men and women have a PC muscle and for both genders the PC muscle regulates the flow of urine and supports the pelvic organs. For men, this important muscle also supports erections, according to Kegel-Exerciser.com.
