What’s a “Coregasm” and How Can I Have One?
While mostly a female phenomenon (although some say men can have them too) the concept of the coregasm (or EIO, Exercise-Induced Orgasm), or essentially bursting into orgasm during an exercise workout, has people both mystified and intrigued. How do they happen and why – and how embarrassing is it? We examined a study and a survey on the issue to find out the juicy details!
The Abs Have It, Hands Down
In a recent Kinsey Institute study, around 45 percent of female respondents stated that their first coregasms (also known as exercise-induced sexual pleasure, EISP, where there isn’t an orgasm or EIO but pleasure still existed) were experienced during abdominal exercises, while 26.5 percent were felt while lifting weights, 20 percent during yoga, 15.8 percent while bicycling, 13.2 percent during a run, and around 10 percent while walking or hiking.
Sexologist Alfred Kinsey’s work should continue, as well as exploration of the “core’s” link to orgasm
In reflection of these percentages, Debby Herbenick, the Center for Sexual Health Promotion Co-Director at Indiana University’s Kinsey Institute, observed that any exercise involving the “‘core” muscles seems to trigger the EISPs. Having included some of the experiences studied in her book, Sex Made Easy, Herbenick remains curious about the whole area, stating, “Exercise-induced orgasm is something we really know nothing about — not scientifically,” she said. “[Sexologist Alfred] Kinsey mentioned it in his [‘Sexual Behavior in the Human Female’] book in 1953, and it sort of got left there.”
Varied Responses Were Received
From the 100 respondents found over five weeks of searching for study participants, a range of stories and experiences unfolded. Many women had experiences once and could not replicate them again, while others had them consistently or sporadically with different types of exercises. 69 percent were heterosexual and most were either married or in relationships. Most stated they were not fantasizing about sex when the coregasms occurred, and some stated they could not control their experiences and were self-conscious about them in public. And interestingly, over half had an EIO or EISP experience during abdominal exercises within the past ninety days of being surveyed.
It isn’t one-size-fits-all EIO-ing
Dean Somerset, an exercise physiologist in Edmonton, Canada, explained to SELF magazine that, “It’s similar to any other type of orgasm in that it’s more a matter of what works for one person instead of one specific thing that works for everyone.”
So anyway. How can I have one?
For those who haven’t yet had the pleasure of a coregasm, there are ways to increase your chances. According to Herbenick’s book, The Coregasm Workout, following these steps can do just that:
Challenge Yourself
1. Give yourself a challenge: Do the extra exertion exercises, not a leisurely stroll around the block. Herbenick explains that, “They tend to happen from intense or demanding exercise. For example, for women who experience them while doing crunches, they pretty much never happen on the fifth crunch and are more likely to occur after 50 or 100 crunches.”
Check your order
2. Do your workout in the proper order: Starting with a warm up of about 20 minutes, get into the abdominal part of your workout second instead of strength training, then cardio.
Let the day’s worries go while you work out
3. Free your mind and the rest will follow: Focus on the workout, your body, and being mindful of the here-and-now experience occurring. Some like to fantasize during their workouts to try for a coregasm, but Herbenick says that isn’t necessary – although it is, of course, allowed.
Get those lower abs into every move you can!
4. You can do it, Get your lower abs into it: Exercises demanding of the core, or abdominal muscles, are most popular for coregasmers. According to the Somerset survey, hanging leg raises were five times more likely to result in EIO than any other exercises. Says Somerset, “With these kinds of exercises, you have to contract your pelvic floor in order to bring your legs up,” he says. Try performing different moves that loop in your ab muscles and see where that gets you.”
While Herbenick agrees these strategies won’t necessarily help everyone, it’s still worth a shot. But don’t get too down if you can’t make it happen. She states that, “It’s not the most common thing in the world. Just like not everyone orgasms from fantasy or from direct clitoral stimulation or from vaginal intercourse, not everyone will orgasm from exercise. We’re all a little different, and that’s OK. What’s important is that women feel that they can explore their bodies and their sexuality in ways that feel good to them.”
*As with all my articles, please consult your physician before attempting this or any other activity or diet strategy discussed here.
