First of all, let’s touch on the facts about hemorrhoids. You have veins supplied by arteries all over your body. Frequent exercise helps the transmission of oxygen and nutrients to all these veins. You usually get your circulation pumping every time you work out! By exercising, you make the parts around your butt healthier and stronger. This must be good for the batteries, right?

So if exercise is great for hemorrhoids, should we always do as much of any type of exercise as possible? No, this is not necessarily true. In my experience (and keep in mind that this may be quite different for you) it’s best to focus on exercises that don’t require you to push yourself too hard. This simply means that exercise such as swimming, biking, or possibly even just jogging are great for preventing hemorrhoids from enlarging.

Does that suggest there are no weights in the gym? I’m just relating my own experience here, but it doesn’t automatically mean there’s no weight lifting. After an evaluation by my doctor (prior to a colonoscopy) I was told that my piles were somewhat prominent. He asked me about my diet and lifestyle and I told him that I live a healthy life in general (with a reasonable diet) and that I really like lifting weights. This final part raised some eyebrows. I was urged to stop lifting heavy weights immediately as it may make the hemorrhoids even worse.

This was a dilemma. I really like weightlifting. And as I mentioned, the extra blood circulation comes with a number of benefits. So I thought I’d seek the help and advice of a trainer at my nearest gym. After discussing the problem with him, we realized that we needed to get rid of the exercise routines that were putting the most stress on my body. Namely: squat presses and some other leg exercises. (Take note: a deadlift press is one of the main weight training leg exercises where you bring the barbell to your shoulders and literally squat down.)

But if we ditch weight-based lower body exercises, what do we replace it with? (I like a full body workout routine.) The best solution for me personally: Kettlebells. Kettlebell exercises still give me a workout on my thighs and legs, but considering it’s a somewhat more resistance-dependent workout, it doesn’t add to the pressure that exacerbates hemorrhoids. Better yet, they offer a great mix of aerobics, power, and flexibility. All good for hemorrhoids!

Revisiting the doctor

I met the doctor again. And I’m glad I did since he found the new exercises really helped. Of the piles he had noticed earlier, one had shrunk considerably. The others were much smaller!

Essential guidance on training and hemorrhoids.

Just about the most important thing to keep in mind is that even if you don’t feel like it, you should still try to stay active. I’m not saying you should go to the gym seven days a week or run marathons. However, you should make an effort to walk, run, bike, or do something else simply because it will help you.

Also, you probably don’t want to listen to this advice, but you should still try to take walks, even during a hemorrhoid episode. Even though sitting still might seem like the smart thing to do. Usually it is not. Getting that traffic working will help you get over it faster!