Here is everything you need to know about Kegel exercises, especially relevant to your situation:
Kegel Exercises for Men - Complete Guide
What Are Kegels?
Kegel exercises train the pelvic floor muscles - the group of muscles that run from your tailbone to your pubic bone, supporting your bladder, bowel, and sexual organs. The main muscle targeted is the pubococcygeus (PC) muscle.
According to Smith and Tanagho's General Urology, Kegel exercise consists of "8-12 sustained pelvic floor muscle contractions for about 10 seconds each, to be performed several times a day."
Step 1: Find the Right Muscles
You need to identify the correct muscles first, or you'll be wasting effort.
Method 1 - Stop urine test:
Next time you urinate, try to stop the flow mid-stream. The muscles you squeeze are your pelvic floor muscles. (Only do this to identify them - do NOT do Kegels while urinating regularly, as it can raise infection risk.)
Method 2 - Gas prevention:
Tighten the muscles you'd use to prevent passing gas. That's the same muscle group.
What you should feel:
Your penis should retract slightly inward and lift. Your stomach, thighs, and buttocks should NOT move.
Step 2: The Two Types of Kegel Contractions
For men, there are two types - both matter for different reasons:
Slow Kegels (Endurance/Hold)
- Targets slow-twitch muscle fibers - builds stamina and ejaculatory control
- How: Squeeze the pelvic floor at about 70% intensity, hold for 10 seconds, then fully relax
- Reps: 10 reps per set
- Sets: 3 sets per day
Fast Kegels (Power/Quick Flick)
- Targets fast-twitch muscle fibers - builds strength for snap control
- How: Contract at near-maximum intensity for 1 second, then fully relax
- Reps: 10 reps per set
- Sets: 3 sets per day
Aim for 60 slow + 60 fast = 120 Kegels per day for best results.
Step 3: Correct Technique
| Do This | Avoid This |
|---|
| Breathe freely throughout | Holding your breath |
| Fully relax between contractions | Rushing the rest period |
| Focus only on pelvic floor | Tensing abs, glutes, or thighs |
| Start lying down | Starting in a standing position (too hard initially) |
Progression: Start lying down -> progress to seated -> then standing/walking as muscles get stronger.
Benefits Relevant to Your Situation
| Benefit | How It Helps You |
|---|
| Reduces nocturnal emissions | Stronger voluntary control over ejaculatory muscles |
| Ejaculatory control | Delays ejaculation during sex (>60% of men report improvement) |
| Erection quality | Improves blood flow to the groin; 42-50% of men with erectile issues see improvement |
| Bladder control | Prevents leakage or urgency |
| Orgasm intensity | Stronger pelvic muscles = stronger contractions |
When to Expect Results
- 2-4 weeks: You'll begin to notice the muscles are easier to locate and control
- 4-8 weeks: Noticeable improvement in ejaculatory control and reduced nightfall frequency
- 3-6 months: Full strengthening effect - this is the standard clinical timeline per urology guidelines
Common Mistakes
- Squeezing the wrong muscles (abs or glutes instead of pelvic floor) - very common, check your technique
- Not relaxing fully between reps - the relaxation phase is just as important as the contraction
- Overdoing it - sore or aching pelvic muscles mean you need rest; treat them like any other muscle
- Giving up too early - results take weeks, not days
How to Build It Into Your Gym Routine
Since you're already going to the gym, Kegels fit naturally:
- Do a slow set during your rest periods between gym sets
- Do a fast set while walking to/from the gym
- Do one set before sleeping (lying down position - easiest and most directly addresses nightfall)
They are invisible to everyone around you - no equipment needed, no special position required once you've got the technique down.