You know how some exercises get a reputation for being painfully boring? For me, that was the calf raise — the seemingly endless, repetitive movement of standing on your toes and lowering back down.
For years, I avoided it, convincing myself I could strengthen my legs through more enjoyable activities like Pilates or cycling.
Anything but that monotonous toe-lift routine.
But then middle age arrived, and with it, the stark realization: if I wanted to keep running without wrecking my knees, those dreaded calf raises became non-negotiable.
So there I was on a quiet Tuesday morning, alone at home, reluctantly stepping onto the bottom stair, preparing for the grind.
Little did I know, this boring exercise was about to surprise me.
The Surprising Sensation That Changed My Mind
As I slowly lifted onto my toes and lowered back down, a strange tingling spread from the soles of my feet up the backs of my calves, then coursed through my thighs, pelvis, and even up my spine toward the top of my head.
It was intense — a burning sensation that made me gasp.
At first, I thought it was just muscle fatigue, but as the feeling ebbed and flowed with each calf raise, I realized this was something else entirely.
It was a type of pleasure, almost an orgasm — though not in a sexual way, more like an oddly enjoyable physical release that made me reconsider my disdain for calf raises. From that moment, I was hooked.
And the best part? I could do these quietly at home without worrying about what anyone thought.
An Embarrassing Moment in the Gym
Weeks later, at the gym, I had a similar surprise while using the leg curl machine.
As I clenched my core and lifted the weights, the familiar sensation returned.
Mortified but trying to play it cool, I realized I was experiencing this intense pleasure in front of a room full of muscular men in Lycra.
I kept this little secret to myself — not even telling my husband, wondering if that counted as cheating! Meanwhile, friends noticed how motivated I’d become about strengthening my calves and core, unaware of the real reason behind my enthusiasm.
I even questioned if I was a bit of a weirdo, since nobody else seemed to be getting this kind of pleasure from working out.
Finding Solidarity Through Sophie Habboo and TikTok
Then I heard former Made In Chelsea star Sophie Habboo talking about her own experience of what she called a ‘coregasm’ on her podcast.
She described the moment during an ab workout when she thought, “What the heck just happened?”
Sophie reassured listeners that this is a common thing — something many people experience when pushing their core muscles hard and staying relaxed.
Her honest take sparked a flood of comments on TikTok, with users sharing their curiosity and personal experiences.
One joked it was the perfect motivation to finally hit the gym, while others claimed to have discovered and loved coregasms for years.
Understanding the Science Behind the Coregasm
Encouraged by Sophie’s story, I Googled ‘coregasm’ and learned it’s a popular term for exercise-induced orgasms (EIOs).
Unlike sexual orgasms, these happen purely through physical movement and muscle engagement without sexual stimuli.
This phenomenon was first discussed back in 1953 by sexologist Dr. Alfred Kinsey.
More recent research from the Kinsey Institute and a 2014 US survey revealed that about 10% of both women and men experience EIOs, with many more feeling intense pleasure just shy of orgasm during workouts.
The most common exercises linked to these sensations include abdominal workouts, weightlifting, yoga, cycling, running, and even walking.
Stories from Real People and Expert Insights
Dr. Debby Herbenick from Indiana University, an expert on this topic, shared stories she collected from women who experienced these sensations in everyday workouts.
One woman described her first coregasm while grinding uphill on a bike, initially mistaking the feeling for a cramp before realizing it was something much better.
Another talked about how engaging her lower stomach muscles during stretches could lead to sharp waves of pleasure, sometimes culminating in an orgasm.
Dr. Herbenick’s research became so popular she wrote a book called The Coregasm Workout, which explores how exercise and sex are more connected than people might think.
She argues that fitness and sexual pleasure both require practice and change with our bodies over time.
Why Middle Age Might Bring These Surprises
Maybe it’s no coincidence I’m experiencing these coregasms now, in my mid-40s, when I’m finally committed to strengthening my core to stay healthy and active.
It turns out, getting fit isn’t just good for your body — it might unlock a whole new kind of pleasure you never expected.
So now, whenever I face the humble calf raise or other workouts, I’m reminded that even the dullest exercises can bring surprising rewards — and I’m definitely not going to skip them again anytime soon.