CrossFit - Do You Pee During Workouts?

Rory McKernan posed the question to women at the Central East Regional, "Do you pee during your workouts?" Here's what he found out.

[saragagliano]

While, I am happy that people are talking about it and admitting it as a problem, it is not okay, normal, nor a "correlate of intensity" to EVER urinate during a work out.  It is called "pelvic floor dysfunction" ladies and gents and it is real issue that needs to be addressed.  As a physical therapist, I have seen patients with issues like this.  It starts with educating the public, other medical providers, and getting people the treatment and help they need to get better!  In my professional opinion, as a physical therapist, it is NOT okay to pee when you do double unders! (or anytime you work out!)

[rachelhg]

As a Doctor of Physical Therapy it is NOT OK to pee during double unders. Whoever that "gynecologist" is needs to have her credentials reviewed! Stress induced or exercise induced incontinence/leakage is common with women, especially postpartum, but again it is NOT normal. It certainly shouldn't be something you live with. This video does a great job of exposing a problem but poor form at the end at trying to promote it as a way to determining the intensity of your workout, or that you aren't working out hard enough unless you pee. That is ignorant. If this is an issue for you greater than 6 weeks postpartum you need to seek out a Women's Health Physical Therapist to help guide and educate you on strengthening your pelvic floor muscles. Strengthening these muscles is just as important as any other muscle group!

[zoen]

This is absolutely APPALLING and should be taken down!! This 'so-called' gynaecologist should be ashamed and should perhaps review her understanding of pelvic floor and bladder function and dysfunction! This is a dangerous advert to women, and suggesting a 'gadget to stop the problem' shows nothing but ignorance. These women are at a huge huge risk of developing prolapse and should be seeking advice on strengthening their pelvic floor. They should NOT be ignoring it and naively thinking it makes you a 'tougher, stronger woman' to continue pushing themselves beyond their threshold and enducing leakage. I am ashamed of the fitness industry and bitterly disappointed in that charlatan of a Gynaecologist.

Good luck in future you lot...word of advice, dont go running to see that gynaecologist when it all starts to hang down. Though I'm sure she will be only too pleased to see you in clinic as you will make great long-term mortgage payers for her! ;-)

[mhenley]

I don't crossfit but I felt the need for a positive comment to this video. Maybe this is a much more serious issue than portrayed in the video, but admitting the problem widely exists is a good start to seeking corrective measures. Glad these women (and men) now know they aren't alone so they can speak up about their issue.

[dwydcml]

Crossfit, because nothing says you're totally fit like urinary incontinence.

[mogadsh]

According to what Kelly Starrett wrote somewhere (I don't remember exactly where) this is mostly caused by pelvic floor muscles shutting down due to lumbar overextension, i.e. arching your back.
So if you have this problem, you might be able to fix it by opening up your hip extension to full range of motion, so you won't need to arch your back to stay upright (during double unders, for example).

[krystlehope]

If a woman is peeing while working out, that means she has a week pelvic floor. If your pelvic floor is underdeveloped, performing certain exercises can actually be dangerous! It is not something funny or something to laugh about, it is NOT okay to pee yourself. To think it is okay to pee yourself is disgusting. 

[wrathofkat]

Not normal and not OK - these women need to see a physiotherapists.

[lauramossey]

The bladder is a muscle that can be retrained. Incontinence is common but not "Normal". Go see a pelvic floor physiotherapist and retrain your bladder before you train the rest of your body.

[mishfitmothers]

I am mortified that peeing during work out is some kind of badge of honour... This is so much strain on your pelvic floor - and prolapse is def. no laughing matter.
Mish from mishfit

[WheelbarrowRida]

No, it is not even slightly normal to urinate during workouts. I means theres something going wrong with your pelvic floor and as a result, most likely the rest of your muscle stabilisers (multifidus, diaphragm, transverse abdominus). If youre experiencing urination during exercise - go see a physiotherapist or someone who specialises in pelvic floors..

[Piti.Pinsach]

Totally agree. Just add it useful to know that you need the pelvic floor: FORCE OR TONE? Because most of solutions are currently being applied to improve strength (Kegel or variants) and I think the pelvic need for holding tone muscle and anticipation (timing) I recommend watching the New Method Hypopressive.

[adamfloyd]

No it happens from excessive overload to the pelvic floor through increased intra-abdominal pressure, and the pelvic floor not being able to cope. See if you think a prolapse is "cute".

[Stoogis]

I have a friend who is a gynecologist. After she saw this she was shocked that another "professional" would say its ok and perfectly normal, she said it is Stress Urinary Incontinence which is not a good or normal thing to happen.

[TheAcelifestyle]

This is the best video ever put out by hq.

[PrezDub]

I pee after or before my workout, find it more convenient.

[michellecullen]

This shocked me.... As a fitness professional, I would hate to see what your problems are when you reach 40 - 60 years old ... If you are peeing yourself that badly at such a young age, you are at major risk of a prolapse (where your internal organs collapse through your vagina) or will need surgery (a piece of mesh stitched into your vagina to hold up the wall cavity, which will basically eliminate ANY sexual pleasure). Crossfit Games and Reebok affiliated should be ashamed of themselves...

[Piti.Pinsach]

Some professionals of Urogynecology suggest that the simple exercises abs is one of the causes of urinary incontinence. Some research suggests that traditional abdominal exercises (crunch, sit ups, ...) not only reduce waist circumference but can be the cause of that increase. I RECOMMEND HYPOPRESIVE METHOD TO PREVENT AND SOLVE THE INCONTINENCE, REDUCE THE WAIST, BACK PROBLEMS DOWN ...

[Piti.Pinsach]

TRUE, Most 95.5% had never discussed their condition with a health professional. This does not mean it will not happen. Read:
Prevalence and impact of urinary incontinence among female athletes.
Jácome C, Oliveira D, Marques A, Sá-Couto P.
Int J Gynaecol Obstet., 2011
106 female athletics
Urinary incontinence was experienced by 41.5% of the athletes
Most 95.5% had never discussed their condition with a health professional.

[bethellightshomeschoolacad]

This is not OK and not a laughing matter. Ask anyone who suffers with pelvic organ prolapse and this is usually how it starts. That gyno should not be treating anyone with these issues if she believes this is normal. Smh