Studies have shown that up to 20% of women have reported quitting their physical activities due to incontinence.

Leaking during exercise is a symptom of stress incontinence, which is leakage that occurs when pressure is placed on the bladder. As well as exercise, activities such as lifting heavy objects and coughing can also cause symptoms. However, you shouldn’t have to stop exercising just because you have incontinence. In fact, exercising and keeping a healthy weight is actually proven to improve symptoms of incontinence. In a recent small  study, overweight incontinent individuals enrolled in a low-calorie diet reduction program. Those who achieved a weight loss of 5% or greater had at least a 50% decrease in urinary incontinence frequency.

Are you a man with stress incontinence? Read our guide to male stress incontinence.

Choosing Your Exercise Pads

Many people find choosing an incontinence product daunting. Reasons for this include fear of embarrassment, uncertainty and having to wear an unsubtle product. However, looking for the right style and features can help you turn your exercise into a confident and relaxed activity.

Follow our key tips to ensure you choose the best incontinence pads for exercise:

Avoid Bulk

Remember, incontinence products no longer have to be big and bulky! The market is very versatile with products, offering pads that provide both discretion and comfort. Try and choose a pad that is small in size if possible. If you can avoid using all in one pads, opt for a lighter option. There is nothing more uncomfortable during running than wearing a product you feel exposed in.

Look for a Close Fit Design

Shaped pads often provide a closer fit, as they are specially designed to fit a man or woman’s shape. Their comfortable shape means they provide maximum security whilst also allowing your skin to breathe.

Choose Highly Breathable Material

The breathability of pads is stated on the product packaging. Neglecting skin health can cause a range of problems, such as incontinence associated dermatitis and other infections. Shop our selection of skin care products to ensure your skin stays healthy. You can also shop our hypoallergenic incontinence pads range for pads specially designed for sensitive skin.

Do you have particularly sensitive skin? Read our guide to choosing incontinence pads for sensitive skin.

Look For a Higher Absorbency

If you wear pads on a daily basis, it is wise to choose a pad that is more absorbent than your usual product for running and strenuous exercise. This doesn’t mean a complete switch of product style, you could just choose a more absorbent version of your pad. For example, if you use a “normal” absorbency pad, use an “extra” or “extra plus” absorbency for exercising.

Wearing shaped pads with stretch mesh pants can ensure the pad will not move at all during exercise and will keep it close to the body.

Shop our Range of Mesh Stretch Pants to find a supportive product.

Our Top Pick: Lille Ganmill Fix

These pants combine optimum comfort, anti-leakage security and discretion. They are also 100 breathable and are kind to skin, so you don’t have to worry about any irritation or discomfort! We recommend using these alongside Lille Suprem Form Shaped Pads.