For anyone who has struggled to climax during sex because of low self-esteem, unfulfilling sex, stress, or a medical issue, the gym may sound like the last place where that feeling would happen. But some people report that certain exercises can trigger an orgasmic response without sexual touch or sexual fantasy.
The term is often used for exercise-induced orgasm, which researchers have studied for years, even though the exact cause is still not fully known. Studies have linked the response most often to core-heavy exercises, which may explain why the nickname has stuck.
What do experts say about this different kind of orgasm?
According to Dr Tommy Martin, M.D., the term refers to an exercise-induced orgasm. And while many people may assume this only happens to women, he said it can happen to men too.
“Although she said this video is for the ladies, it can happen with men as well,” the doctor explained. While it appears to be more common in women, it can affect both sexes, with estimates suggesting it occurs in around “10% of women and 8% of men.”
Research has reported a similar figure, with one US probability survey finding that about 9% of respondents said they had experienced exercise-induced orgasm at some point. Other research has also found that exercise can lead to orgasm or sexual pleasure even without sex or sexual thoughts.
One well-known example is hanging leg raises, where a person hangs from a bar and lifts their legs up. The move asks a lot from the abs and pelvis, which may be why it is often brought up when people talk about coregasms.
Earlier research into women’s experiences of exercise-induced orgasm found that abdominal exercises were the most common trigger, though people also reported the response during weight lifting, yoga, biking, running, walking, and hiking.
That does not mean everyone can make it happen, and it also does not mean a person is doing anything wrong if it happens by accident. For many people, it may be rare, surprising, or even awkward, especially if it happens in a public gym.
Because the response has been linked to core and pelvic activity, it makes sense that exercises involving repeated tightening of those muscles get the most attention. Still, experts have not settled on one clear cause, so the explanation remains a mix of possible theories.
The “coregasm” explained by a professional
So what is actually happening inside the body? At this point, doctors do not have one firm answer. “Truthfully, there’s not research on this… there’s no exact known cause,” the doctor said, though he explained that several theories may help make sense of it.
One idea is called the pelvic floor recoil theory. This suggests that repeated tightening and release of the pelvic muscles during exercise may create enough stimulation to “result in an orgasm.”
Another possible explanation involves the nervous system, almost like a “glitch” or a burst of sensitivity that causes an unexpected response. A third theory points to the pudendal nerve, which is linked to sexual arousal and sensation.
The pudendal nerve is also important because it carries sensation from parts of the pelvis and genitals. If certain exercises place pressure or repeated movement around that area, it could help explain why some people report a sudden orgasmic feeling during a workout.
Researchers have also pointed out that exercise-induced orgasms are not always tied to desire. In other words, a person may not feel turned on before it happens, which is one reason the experience can catch people off guard.
It may sound strange at first, but the coregasm is one more example of how complex the human body can be. A workout is usually linked with sweat, effort, and sore muscles, but for some people, it can also lead to a very unexpected physical response.
Anyone who finds the experience painful, distressing, or hard to control may want to speak with a medical professional or a pelvic floor specialist. But if it happens without pain or concern, the available research suggests it is a known, if still not fully explained, body response.
