The studies on Hypopressives
What if I told you that in Spain, France, Belgium, and Brazil, every new mum learns hypopressives as part of her recovery?
And they have been for 40 years!
Postpartum women are routinely taught hypopressives as part of their recovery. Pelvic floor physios prescribe it alongside (or instead of) kegels.
It's not "alternative" or "niche." It's just... normal.
And yet, in the UK? Most fitness professionals, yoga teachers, and even pelvic health specialists have never heard of it.
And while the NHS hasn’t caught up yet, the research is starting to speak for itself.
➡️ Navarro-Brazález et al. (2020) — Randomised Controlled Trial Published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine
This RCT involved 94 women with pelvic floor dysfunction assigned to either pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), hypopressive exercises, or a combination of both over eight weeks. All groups significantly reduced symptoms, improved quality of life, improved pelvic floor muscle strength, and increased pelvic floor basal tone — with no statistically significant differences between groups, suggesting hypopressive exercises were as effective as traditional pelvic floor muscle training. PubMed Central
➡️ Katz & Barbosa (2024) — Systematic Review of RCTs Published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
This review analysed seven randomised controlled trials including 587 women. Hypopressive exercises were found to be effective in improving strength, tone, and reducing symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, in magnitude less than or equal to pelvic floor muscle training. Only one study evaluated abdominal muscles, where hypopressives were effective in improving postural control and activation of the transversus abdominis. PubMed
➡️ MDPI Study (2025) — 8-Week Abdominal Hypopressive Technique RCT. A randomised controlled trial of 42 women completing 24 sessions of abdominal hypopressive technique over eight weeks.
The study provides compelling evidence that a two-month programme significantly enhances pelvic floor muscle strength, and suggests AHT could be beneficial for women with mild to moderate pelvic floor dysfunctions including stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. MDPI
➡️ Rodrigues et al. (2024) — Systematic Review in Healthy Women
A systematic review of five studies found that hypopressive exercises showed plausible positive effects on waist circumference, lower back mobility, abdominal and pelvic floor muscle contraction, respiratory flow, and haemodynamic responses in healthy women. PubMed
But beyond the research, the real proof is in the women whose lives have changed.
😊 After the birth of my second baby, I have a prolapse of all three organs. At the end of the course I am now almost symptom free, which I didn't think would ever be possible. I now feel so much more positive about the future.
😊 After two years of trying to improve my prolapse symptoms I feel like I have finally found something that connects with me. I'm so excited to be on this journey and feel hopeful at last! I noticed symptom improvements within six weeks of my practice.
😊 After six sessions with Lucy I have had a significant reduction to my leaks, and many times when i have run recently I haven't had any, which feels like a miracle! I never thought I could run without leaking again, so l am so thankful to Lucy and hypopressives!
Women are Googling hypopressives.
They're asking their trainers and physios about it.
They're finding YouTube videos and Instagram accounts and online programmes.
The demand is there. The awareness is growing.
And right now, there's a massive opportunity for fitness, wellness professionals and bodyworkers to add this modality to their scope of practice.
In five years, hypopressives will be everywhere.
The question is, will you be one of the pioneers who brought it here?”
The UK needs more hypopressives teachers.
➡️ 14 million people in the UK experience urinary leakage.
➡️ Up to 50% of women have some degree of pelvic organ prolapse.
And most of them think kegels are their only option. 😱
You can be the person who shows them something different. Something better.
Ready to be part of this?
📆 Find out more about the Hypopressives Teacher Training Level 1 Courses