Researchers claim to have found the secret to the female orgasm - and it's all in the core abdominal muscles.

According to a study by Indiana University, researchers discovered anecdotal evidence that abdominal exercises increase female sexual pleasure, with some admitting to having a 'coregasm' (climaxing whilst exercising).

Based on survey results of 370 women who were questioned about their exercise regimes and sex lives, the study found that 124 of women reported exercise-induced orgasms (EIO) and 246 admitted to having exercise-induced sexual pleasure (EISP).

"The most common exercises associated with exercise-induced orgasm were abdominal exercises, climbing poles or ropes, biking, spinning and weight lifting," says Debby Herbenick from the study.

"These data are interesting because they suggest that orgasm is not necessarily a sexual event, and they may also teach us more about the bodily processes underlying women's experiences of orgasm."

Of the women who experienced an EIO, 26.5% did so whilst lifting weights, 20% after a yoga class, 15.8% after cycling, 13.2% running and 9.6% hiking.

The study added that they weren't clear on what is behind the exercise-induced orgasms and sexual pleasure, however they claim that exercise could be the key to a satisfying sex life.

"It may be that exercise - which is already known to have significant benefits to health and well-being - has the potential to enhance women's sexual lives as well."

Adding to this, Joy Davidson, the author of Fearless Sex, explains how a 'coregasm' happens, telling Women's Health magazine: "When a coregasm happens, usually it's women who already have very strong pelvic muscles.

"And when they're doing certain exercises that are tapping into the deep core or into the quads and inner thighs, what they wind up doing is almost automatically squeezing pelvic muscles in addition."

Have you ever had a 'coregasm'?

If a 'coregasm' isn't enough to inspire you to get active this spring, take a look our these motivational tips for getting in shape.

Or if you ever wondered what the female orgasm looked like, take a look here.

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