Kegel exercises — which are basically the repetitious lifting and tightening of your pelvic muscles — are often touted as a non-surgical solution for bladder and bowel incontinence in men and women. And while there are some people who encourage Kegels as a way to strengthen the pelvic floor, I’ve found alternatives that are much easier and much more effective for boosting control of your bladder and bowel, for a few reasons.