Celebrity work-out fave, Pilates, has long been deemed the grand dame of flat abs, lean muscles, and a rock-solid core. It’s also fabulous for better sex. We’re talking you think you might pass out, 100% fully present, “why don’t I do this every day” type of sex. The mighty trifecta of a strong pelvic floor (better, stronger orgasms), flexibility (lots of fun positions), and abs of steel (stamina) equals good times in the bedroom. We’ve tested it out and tried it, and Pilates is pretty good stuff for that part of wellness often ignored: your sexual health.

	The flexibility and general strengthening of the core muscles in the body adds a whole new dimension to the bedroom.

Alycea Ungaro, P.T., the owner of the famous Real Pilates in NYC with a list of celebrity clientele and girls in the know, says, “Everyone knows that when you feel good about your body, that translates to more confidence between the sheets. But devotees of Pilates will tell you that this particular method goes deeper when it comes to better sex.”

The Series of Five Just Got a Lot More Interesting

Ladies, have you done the Series of Five? For those of you who don’t know it (and you should get to know it for reasons below), it is one of the core exercises developed by Joseph Pilates involving:

• A double leg lowering to the ground (controlled with your abs pulled in and spine neutral)
• Single straight leg alternating moves (try this while your top half of your body is raised but your abs pulled in and down),
• Side to side abs move
• Knees into the hips with one leg straight out, alternating sides
• A reversed flying superhero move where the arms and legs go out from the body and arms circle back in

Every single one of these exercises is designed for core strength and control. But these particular exercises also work wonders for increasing blood flow (always good for sex for obvious reasons), and for teaching you how to hold your body in a way that increases control of all your muscles. But the real deal with the Series of Five is the synchronized breathing and its importance in maintaining the flow of movement. “The Pilates work focuses on synchronizing breath and motion which compliments sexual activity,” says Todd Taylor, of Todd Taylor Bodywork (and a Yoga and Pilates instructor in San Francisco). “Not to mention the mind-body focus, and awareness that is critical in Pilates, and arguably enhances sex. “

Get Your Swerve On

Ever tried to have sex with lower back pain? After an 8 hour flight? Or with general stiffness in the limbs? Not so fun. Pilates “helps with articulation of the lumbar spine (low back); and the various exercises performed while doing the hip work increase your pelvic and lumbar strength and stability,” according to Todd Taylor. The flexibility and general strengthening of the core muscles in the body adds a whole new dimension to the bedroom. Talk about all sorts of new positions and excitement for all. One person who wanted to remain anonymous for this article told me, “I don’t know how you can actually have sex if you don’t do Pilates. What is the point?” Pilates, my friends, helps you and your man get your swerve on, and that is a reason to suffer through hip circles and leg work alone.

Knowing and Loving the PCG: The Ultimate Pilates Pleasure Principle

Get to know and love the PCG. Perhaps the ultimate Pilates pleasure principle, building up the PCG, is reason alone to start or continue a Pilates regimen.

The pubococcygeus muscle, otherwise known as the PCG is nestled within the pelvis. It is responsible for practical moves such as stopping the flow of urine, but is better known to most people for being the orgasm muscle…strengthen that muscle through kegel exercises or Pilates and you’ll be able to tighten everything down there during sex, (for women), and control your movement (for men and women) in an intense way.

“In Pilates we practice activating this muscle group along with the deepest abdominals to strengthen as well as increase endurance and control. The Pilates mantra of "pull inward and upward" incorporates the pelvic floor and triggers the core and the deeper muscles to work together,” says Alycea Ungaro, P.T.

Sounds like fun? It is, so we recommend you get started with some Pilates. Your partner will thank you. You will thank you.

Perfect Pilates Exercises for Better Sex

Below is Alycea Ungaro’s list of the specific Pilates exercises that will help you between the sheets (as well as give you that rocking Pilates bod, more confidence, and abs to die for):

• Inner thighs! Worked incessantly with sidekicks and magic circles yield a remarkable level of strength. Translation: makes wraparound legs a breeze!
• Quads! Pilates chicks work their thighs with no mercy on the reformer - using springs to build endurance and stamina! Translation: ride em' cowgirl!
• Pelvis: the "meat" of the method. Working out Pilates style gives you pelvic mobility and a stronger, shapelier rump. Translation: your arch and thrust action will be remembered long after the big "O".
• PCG Muscles!: The inner workings of the magical Pilates method. Toning your pelvic floor means you can control what goes on inside, as well as out! Translation: you "know when to hold 'em!!" Clench control extraordinaire!

Have fun ladies (and gents), and feel free to report back here (anonymously or not) on what works for you and if you have any specific Pilates exercise tips that you’ve used and loved. With that, I’m signing off…and going to my Pilates lesson.