Imagine having an orgasm at the gym. Yes, that’s right. This is called an exercise-induced orgasm (EIO) or a coregasm. Some women and men experience orgasms while doing certain exercises. Although there’s an explanation for coregasms, it’s nothing less than magical.
What is a Coregasm?
A coregasm is when a person climaxes during or after certain exercises. While men do occasionally experience coregasms, they’re more common in women. This is because coregasms are amplified by abdominal and pelvic muscle contractions, which take part in female orgasms during sex. Much of the research on coregasms has also been directed toward women.
This occurrence is most often referred to as a coregasm because they typically happen while doing core and abdominal exercises. You see, an orgasm involves the contraction of the muscles from the hip bone to the tail bone. These muscles are responsible for upholding the bowels, bladder, and uterus. The muscle contraction is repeated in a pattern that stimulates blood flow and nerves in the area.
When doing abdominal or core exercises, you are using some of the same muscles involved in orgasm. Because these muscles worked are the same as the muscles used during an orgasm, a coregasm can be achieved.
Is a Coregasm Real?
Oh, yes: It’s definitely real. A coregasm is as real as the typical orgasm. A study of 530 women showed the average age of their first coregasm was 18 years old. Furthermore, it’s suggested that one in ten women will experience a coregasm at some point in their life. However, some women claim that a coregasm involves more deep, internal contractions, rather than being clitoral related, and involves less throbbing.
Coregasms can happen unexpectedly. They can be detrimental to your workout, embarrassing, and distracting. That’s why it’s important to know what causes coregasms; that way you can avoid them (or cause them!). Kirsti Buick, a yoga instructor experienced with coregasms, says, “I discovered they were easier to achieve and could be reached multiple times during the same workout.” Talk about stamina!
What Does a Coregasm Feel Like?
Coregasms are similar to orgasms you would achieve through basic sexual stimulation. However, they feel a little different. Because they’re deep, some say they could be extra pleasurable for women who typically cannot have an orgasm from vaginal penetration. It’s also reported to be deep in the stomach and spread to the legs.
Some have mentioned that coregasms start as a tingle and build in intensity. Others say it’s inside their pelvis and disappears as soon as they reach climax. The sensations are different for everyone which makes them harder to study.
The Science Behind Coregasms
It is not fully understood how coregasms happen or what causes them. Certain women have them fairly easily while others may never experience them. One study shows that exercise-induced orgasms may be related to sleep orgasms but not orgasms from partners. However, it is generally accepted that the repeated use of the muscles in the pelvic floor leads to coregasms.
Muscles Involved
Orgasms are a physiological process. They are combined with muscle contractions in areas of the core, hips, and groin. Pelvic floor muscles are mostly responsible for the warm flood of pleasure. Studies show that strengthening pelvic and core muscles increases the chances of having a coregasm.
The pelvic floor muscles include coccygeus (ischiococcygeuys), puborectalis, iliococcygeus, and pubococcygeus. Together, these muscles are called the levator ani muscles. These muscles connect with the inside walls of the pelvis and support the uterus, bladder, and bowels.
During an orgasm, these muscles contract and relax in a pattern for some time. Specifically, one study of 281 women found that the pubococcygeus muscle is an important part of female orgasms. The contraction and interaction of the pelvic floor muscles during an orgasm mirror the movements during core exercises.
Blood Flow and Nerves
The contractions from pelvic floor muscles improve blood flow in the groin. This increased blood flow allows the genitals to swell and expand. The exercises also stimulate the nerves that elicit the pleasure we feel during orgasms. The sympathetic nervous system also plays a role by creating involuntary contractions that lead to the deep pelvic floor orgasm.
During exercise, breathing and heart rate increase (like during sex), triggering the sympathetic nervous system. When this nervous system is activated, it delivers more blood and oxygen to the areas where it’s needed. During ab workouts, our abs and pelvic muscles need more blood and oxygen to compensate for the energy being used.
It is also reported that heightened cardiovascular conditions may contribute to exercise-induced orgasms. This is believed to be because the nervous system is highly influenced by the cardiovascular system. The nervous system is then responsible for releasing endorphins, or hormones, that cause arousing effects. Body alignment, exercise type, arousal, and even clothing may also play a role in coregasms.
How To Have a Coregasm
One of the most influencing factors of a coregasm is that the muscles must be fatigued to experience it. This is done through a harder workout or a group of stronger exercises.
You can fatigue your muscles and increase the chances of having a coregasm in many ways. To fatigue your muscles, you have to work them to the point of exhaustion or failure. This means that you will repeat an exercise until you can’t any longer.
You can increase the intensity of your exercise by adding more weight, resistance, reps, or sets to your workouts. You can tell your muscles are fatigued when they are quivering or becoming weaker. Try some of the following exercises to increase your chances of reaching that big O. Doing more than one exercise per set also improves odds.
Captain’s Chair Leg Raises
Captain’s chair is one of the most popular exercises for having a coregasm. When performing a captain’s chair, you’ll rest your elbows on the arms of the machine. Hold onto the handles at the end and keep your back flat against the machine. Keep your leg movements slow and controlled.
While keeping your face forward raise your legs straight out in front of you at a 90-degree angle. Hold them for a second or two before lowering them back to the foot pads. You want to focus on keeping four points of your body against the machine: each hip and shoulder.
Ensure you’re keeping your core engaged. You shouldn’t be gripping the handles too tightly or putting excessive pressure on your shoulders. Make sure your elbows stay at a 90-degree angle. If your shoulders start to sag then take a break to rest.
Crunches
Crunches are a great way to work the core. Lay on your back and rest your hands on your thighs. Lean forward, keeping your hands on your thighs, and slide them down about an inch over your knees. Return to rest on the ground.
Negative Pull Ups
Negative pull-ups work your arms and core. When performing a negative pull-up, start with your chin already above the bar, as if you’ve just completed a pull-up. Slowly lower yourself to the ground. You’re only going to do the second half of a chin-up.
Flutter Kicks
Flutter kicks will light your lower abs on fire. They are a great way to strengthen the core and tone the legs. To flutter kick, lay flat on your back and keep your palms flat on the ground. Raise your feet about three to four inches off the ground. Point your toes and alternate kicking your feet up and down about two to three inches each way. Keep your legs straight out in front of you and your stomach pulled in towards your spine.
Boat Pose
The boat pose is an awesome workout for the lower abdominals. You start a boat pose by sitting on the ground. With your knees bent at a 90-degree angle, raise your feet in front of you to shoulder height. Point your toes. You should lean back and stretch your arms in front of you on either side of your legs to keep balance.
You can hold this pose for 10-30 seconds, or you can stretch your legs out straight, then bring them back to you. The knees and elbows should be aligned. Repeat for eight to ten reps.
Squats
It’s been reported that squats may cause coregasms. When you’re pushing with your glutes and holding your core in tight, you could join the C.G. Club (that’s coregasm club, of course)!
To perform a squat, stand straight up with your feet shoulder-width apart. Your toes and chest should be pointing forward. Lean your weight into your heels and lower your butt towards the ground. Don’t let your knees go over your toes. Imagine you’re squatting down to sit on something. Keep your spine straight as you bend by lightly squeezing your shoulder blades inward toward each other. Squat as far as you can.
Finish by standing back up.
Yoga
Yoga is also a great way to engage the core and strengthen the pelvic muscles. It allows you to stretch and relax muscles improving blood flow and regulation of the nervous system. Yoga comes in many forms, but it’s most important that you’re engaging the abs and breathing deeply. This is bound to set you up for CG success!
Single Leg Plank
A single-leg plank is effective for targeting the abs and obliques (the muscles in your sides). To execute a single-leg plank, lie on your stomach and rest your weight on your forearms. Press up onto your toes, then raise one leg in the air, balancing yourself with your toes on one foot and your forearms on the ground. Keep your leg straight and make sure you’re breathing. Hold for five to ten seconds then return your foot to the ground. Repeat on the other leg.
The goal of the exercises above is for you to engage your core. You can engage your core by flexing your abs. You should never hold your breath and wait to recover if you experience a coregasm.
On the flipside, though, if you don’t want a coregasm, there are a few ways you can keep them at bay.
Preventing Coregasms
Several factors can inhibit the process of a coregasm. Damaged, weak, and tight pelvic floor muscles can prevent proper blood flow and nerve excitation. Overthinking and anxiety can dampen the contributions of the sympathetic nervous system lowering the amount of stimulation.
Taking pauses between exercises can help your body return to a more normal status before moving forward to continue your workout. Repeating exercises with little time between each one will fatigue your muscles leading to higher chances of a coregasm. Take deep breaths if you feel something coming. You can also switch to a different exercise, machine, or position. Workouts can be tailored to prevent coregasms.
Making a Routine
Having a workout routine will help you create a plan and stay on track. Chances are more likely that you probably won’t experience a coregasm your first time trying. However, doing repeated exercises over time can strengthen and train your muscles to meet all your fitness — and other — goals.
You can create a routine based on time, availability, equipment, and goals. Depending on your unoccupied time, you can usually fit in five to ten exercises per workout session. You’ll want to allocate about three to five minutes per exercise. You can do eight to ten reps (or seconds) for two to four sets. This means you’ll repeat an exercise for eight to ten reps then rest. You’ll repeat this for each set.
Final Thoughts
Not only is going to the gym great for how you look and feel, but now you also know that it can be an exciting way to reach climax. Coregasms are a newly studied phenomenon and doctors aren’t 100% positive about what causes them. However, studies show that coregasms are related to pelvic muscle strength and working core muscles. Coregasms may also be promoted by friction from machines or clothing, holding the legs together during certain exercises –rope climb, anyone? — and being calm and mindful.
Now, take a deep breath and get ready to get off!
