Narrow squats vs wide squat

Keeping your feet close together is one of the steps in the '10 step guide to pelvic floor safe exercise' for example when you squat, keeping your knees no further than hip width apart. Focus on your alignment, and aim to squat only as far down as you can go without feeling any pressure downwards on your pelvic floor.

When you are ready to add weights to your squat, start with light weights, to make sure that you do not hold your breath. If you do feel any pressure downwards on your pelvic floor muscles, it is advised that you stop and return to squats without weights until your pelvic floor is stronger and working well. Using a Swiss ball against the wall provides more support while you are still regaining strength in your abdominal and pelvic floor muscles.

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For more information and video instruction on protecting your pelvic floor with squats, by Michelle Kenway, Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist and Women's Exercise Instructor, and author of the book 'Inside Out - the essential women's guide to pelvic support' see How to Squat.