This is why I love the Squatty Potty:
- The platform that you put your feet on has a slight angle tilting away from you, allowing for tight calf muscles, so if you have been wearing shoes with positive heels most of your life, this is a nice feature. Even a one-inch heel from an athletic shoe can shorten your calf muscles and make it difficult to get into a proper squat. You can also attach the platform to slant the other way, so you have options.
- It tucks out of the way by nesting against the toilet, so if you have a small bathroom, or if you live with someone who doesn’t want to use the Squatty Potty, they won’t have to be bothered with moving the stool out of the way.
- It’s sturdy.
- It places my feet a good distance apart for a natural squat. This will allow me to keep my pelvis untucked (hamstrings permitting), and the top of my femurs will press against my abdomen, giving a lift and slight compression to the colon. Of course, listen to your body, don’t worry about getting into the perfect squat while pooping. If you are straining to poop, your body is trying to tell you something; maybe it’s a diet, lack of water, or a pelvic floor issue (too-tight pelvic floor, anal sphincter dysfunction).
- The Squatty Potty comes in two sizes, so you can choose one based on your toilet’s height and how flexible you are. There is not one size fits all squatting stool or platform on the market, but I do feel the Squatty Potty is versatile enough to give you options. You can use it as a stool or a squatting platform.
Yes, that is a mail slot next to my toilet. Convenient, isn’t it?
Update: The Squatty Potty is no longer made in the 5-inch height.
Author: Barbara Horsley has more than 26 years of experience as a licensed massage therapist. She specializes in abdominal massage and Visceral Manipulation™ and is an NCBTMB-approved educator. In addition to being certified in abdominal massage, she also studied biomechanics and restorative exercise. She is also a Certified Women’s Herbal Educator and a graduate of the IWHI Perimenopause & Menopause Certificate Program.