Poll
The Truth About Sex and Pilates
- Perineum Madness (Via Lululemon Athletica.)
I'm introducing myself to a serious young woman at a New York City "media mixer." I tell her about Social Workout, and she looks me in the eye and says, "Is it pretty much common knowledge that doing Pilates is incredible for sex?" A normal person might have taken this as flirtation, but I saw that her interest was strictly clinical. "Actually, I had never really heard that before," I say, embarrassed by my ignorance. "I think it's pretty widely known," says she, slightly pitying. I'm defensive. "Well, I've been blogging about this stuff for a while, and I've never seen anything specifically on the subject. I mean, it's obviously great for the abs, but so are a lot of things." The debate went on, but was never resolved. I've since discovered there are partisan Pilates-is-great-for-sex websites, but I suspect they are paid for by some obscure Pilates special interest group. So I put this to the Social Workout collective: Does Pilates have an unusually strong positive impact on sexual performance and satisfaction, or is it more or less the same as any other rigorous form of workout?
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Comments
I've said it before. Every partner I've had that's been, hm, enthusiastic about yoga and pilates has been absolute rubbish in bed. On top of that, like driving, pretty much everyone thinks they're good in bed. I can see how the body confidence pilates builds informs the perception of one's skills under the sheets. I can also see how that confidence can misinform said perception. But I can also say bodies are only the first part of good sex, flexibility has little to do with respect, curiosity, and finding a sexy way to say, "Hey. I'm bored. Let's bone."
Bring on the indignant yogis!
Submitted by Mr. Mohawk on 08.11.10 at 08:06.
nope - MM - you're totally right.
Submitted by Butwhatifido on 08.12.10 at 09:14.
mystical
Submitted by montanasusie on 08.12.10 at 09:20.
I know that in Pilates, there's a lot of talk of contracting the pelvic floor for the ladies, so you're basically doing a lot of Kegels while blasting the heck out of your core. But do I think it actually improves sexual performance? In terms of figuring out how your body works, maybe. But if Pilates and Yoga were sexual experiences, I would equate Pilates with the slam-bam-thank-you-ma'am approach and yoga would be the Barry White lover, complete with candlelight, soft music, the occasional aromatherapy and gentle neck rub. Call me crazy, but I think I'll take the one with the foreplay.
Submitted by zuzupetals on 08.12.10 at 09:43.
zuzu - your post made me laugh out loud. this is why I read SW. because where else is pilates (accuratly) described as slam-bam-thank-you-ma'am? priceless.
Submitted by Butwhatifido on 08.12.10 at 09:51.
mohawk, though i'm firmly in camp indignant yogi, you are right - its not just the body, its the attitude and how you use it.
and zuzu, i'm in absolute agreement. Pilates always leaves me feeling a little like a cheap one night stand- used yet still unfulfilled.
want to be better in bed? have more sex. want to be better at pilates? do more pilates.
Submitted by sandyliz on 08.12.10 at 10:02.
My friends who have borne children swear by Pilates for, um, restoration. And I've known more than one over-50 woman who found it very helpful for bladder difficulties. So yeah, I think there's something to this.
Submitted by sadie on 08.12.10 at 11:55.
I think the difference needs to be noted between being a better lover & having better orgasms. Not the same thing at all...You can tone your pelvic floor & have better orgasms through either yoga (mulabanda) or through pilates, but you can still be lousy in bed. oh well...at least someone's having a good time...
Submitted by Susanna Harwood... on 08.12.10 at 01:04.