If you are in a hurry and just want our top pick for best pelvic floor trainer, we recommend the Elvie Trainer Exerciser.
Pelvic floor trainers, or kegel trainers, are unique and intimate exercise tools that allow you to strengthen your pelvic muscles and achieve control over postpartum incontinence. Other benefits include the possibility of better core strength.
In our pelvic floor trainer reviews, we review a few varieties and share with you our top pick. We also cover what key features to look for in a kegel trainer.
The top five best pelvic floor trainers are:
- Elvie Trainer Exerciser
- Perifit Kegel Exerciser
- K-Fit Kegel Toner
- Joy On Kegel Balls
- kGoal Kegel Trainer
Important Caveat
Pelvic floor trainers are only appropriate for women with underactive pelvic floors.
If you have an overactive pelvic floor, doing Kegels can potentially increase tightness, pain, and incontinence.
Not sure whether your pelvic floor is over or underactive? Head to this post for guidance.
The Best Pelvic Floor Trainer: Features That Matter
If you’re new to pelvic floor trainers, it’s understandable to feel slightly lost. You’ll want to choose a device that’s comfortable and easy to use.
Thankfully, there are many options on the market now, given that one-third of women experience pelvic floor difficulties at some point in their lives. These difficulties could be related to age or pregnancy or pregnancy-related changes to the body.
Below are some features to look out for when you’re shopping for a pelvic floor trainer.
Exercise Variety
Almost all the pelvic floor trainers pair with a bluetooth app that provides you a variety of exercises to complete.
Ideally, pelvic floor trainer apps will provide exercises that impact both fast- and slow-twitch pelvic floor muscles.
Exercises should ideally include:
- Squeeze and Hold
- Quick Flick Squeezes,
- Lifting of the muscles, and
- Full Relaxation of the Muscles.
Fit
Choosing the right fit can be tricky if you’ve never used a pelvic floor trainer before. In a way, it’s similar to a menstrual cup. You’ll want it to slip inside your vagina with little pressure, but you don’t want it so loose that it falls out easily.
Some manufacturers provide guidelines such as a “one finger” or “two finger” fit, referencing the space available between the two vaginal walls.
If you’re over 30, postpartum, or find that you can’t hold a slim tampon well inside, you might want to opt for a larger size.
Certain models, like the Elvie, come with an optional cover that increases the size of the unit if needed.
Material
Given the sensitive nature of the vaginal area, it’s important to choose a trainer with a material you like and that feels good against your skin. Silicone and other hypoallergenic components are your best bet. These materials are also easy to clean.
Avoid a pelvic floor trainer device that contains materials with phthalates and BPA. Research points to BPA as a reason for hormonal disruption, like irregular periods or issues with fertility.
Water Resistance
If you want to use your trainer in the shower, opt for a waterproof model. Some materials and devices are 100 percent waterproof, while others are water resistant only, meaning they can’t be fully submerged.
Design
Kegel trainers usually feature a single ball or a double ball design. The single ball option might be best suited for individuals new to these exercise devices, while the double ball style is good for those that have experience with a kegel trainer or desire more stimulation.
Cost
Pelvic floor trainers cost anywhere between approximately $50 and $200. If you’re interested in something that comes with a pelvic floor trainer app and tracking options, you’ll likely spend more.
The more basic options tend to offer fewer exercise varieties.
Proper Kegel Form
For those new to kegel exercises, it’s a good idea to understand the mechanics of a kegel before using the device:
The Elvie Trainer Exerciser is a sleek top-of-the-line product for those that prefer a smartphone-friendly pelvic floor trainer. It’s also 100 percent waterproof.
The Elvie device was built by women, for women. It’s designed with new moms in mind, and made for better bladder control and core strength. Elvie developers claim it should only take a month of routine exercises to see a difference.
The smartphone app allows you to track your progress in realtime. It stores your data and enables you to track your progress. It’s compatible with all iOS and Android devices, going back as far as the iPhone 4S.
The app incorporates holds, quick squeezes, and relaxation exercises.
It’s made with medical-grade silicone, making it hypoallergenic, easy to clean and safe to use.
Features include “biofeedback”, which means the machine monitors the movement of your pelvic floor and can provide guidance based on this information. It measures both force and control, as well as your ability to relax your muscles.
The device is on the smaller side, but it comes with a removable cover which makes it larger for those who need a bigger device, ensuring a proper fit.
There’s an included carry case that’s discreet, which also doubles as a wireless charger. You also have the option to charge it via a USB port.
Pros
- High-quality silicone.
- 100 percent waterproof.
- Two size options.
- Plenty of tech features including force, control, and relaxation training
- Streamlined and attractive charger that you won’t mind plugging in next to your bed.
Cons
- On the pricey side.
The Perifit Kegel Exerciser is a double ball style kegel exerciser that uses games as part of its programming.
This device comes with a double head style which can help you reach muscles deeper inside the pelvic floor. Compared to other pelvic floor trainers on our list, it’s on the larger size making it suitable for those that need a super snug fit. Using lubrication with this exerciser might be necessary.
The accompanying Perifit app is suitable for most Android and iPhone devices and you’ll connect your Perifit via Bluetooth. There are basic plus and minus buttons for you to adjust the intensity as you go along.
You have six detailed training programs to choose from: one for postpartum, three for incontinence, one for general wellbeing, and one for prevention. For each setting, the app provides real-time feedback to help you track your journey.
The app includes exercises for holding a contraction, quick squeezes, lifting the pelvic floor, and fully relaxing.
This pelvic floor trainer is made from medical-grade silicone and it’s also 100 percent waterproof for those that enjoy a good bath.
Unfortunately, there’s no carry case included with the device.
Pros
- Nice variety of programs including games.
- Exercises include holds, quick-squeezes, lifts, and relaxation.
- Easy to adjust the intensity.
- 100 percent waterproof.
- Bluetooth-friendly.
Cons
- No case included.
- One size fits all.
The K-Fit Kegel Toner is a different type of trainer. Rather than asking you to squeeze your muscles around the device, the K-fit uses EMS (electric muscle stimulation) to stimulate your pelvic floor muscles. No work required on your part!
The company claims that the EMS unit activates up to 90% of pelvic floor muscles, compared to 40% activated from traditional kegeling.
This device features 11 different programs to choose from and you can easily increase or decrease the intensity of the electrical stimulation.
The pelvic floor trainer comes with a soft case for carrying that’s discreet.
If you have an implanted electrical device in your body like a pacemaker, do not use the K-fit, since the EMS can interfere with the functioning of your device.
Pros
- EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) produces 100s of muscular contractions over the course of a few minutes and is said to activate up to 90% of the pelvic floor muscles.
- Does not require you to be able to perform a kegel to get the benefit of it.
- 11 programs to choose from which stimulate holds, quick-squeezes, and relaxation.
Cons
- One size only.
- Does not connect to a phone. Rather, includes a handheld device where you select which program to use.
- Cannot be used in water.
The Joy On Kegel Balls are a set of seven different weights ranging from 25 grams to 150 grams. Joy On claims that the largest one is the heaviest you’ll find on the market.
This set of weights is a great choice if you want to use weight to challenge your pelvic floor strength. You can experiment with different sizes and increase resistance as your strength improves. They’re crafted from “body-safe” silicone, free of BPA and phthalates for a safe, clean experience.
These trainer balls also come with a smartphone app that records your progress and provides calendar reminders. The company recommends using it for 15 minutes a day.
Unlike other trainer apps, this does not take you through a variety of exercise types.
The waterproof nature of these balls isn’t clear, so do take care with liquids.
Pros
- As budget-friendly as it gets.
- English and Spanish instructions available.
- Seven kegel weights included allowing you to increase resistance over time.
- Two dust bags: one for your current ball, the other for storage.
Cons
- Using weights might not be appropriate for those with very weak muscles or those getting started with kegel training
- Does not include a variety of exercise types.
- The app might be unresponsive and slow.
The kGoal kegel trainer is shaped in a similar way to a dual-functioning vibrator as it includes a penetrative portion that is inserted into the vagina, and another arm for stimulating the clitoris.
In 2015, this trainer won an award for its design features.
It’s made from phthalate-free, medical-grade silicone.
The trainer is made for a wide range of bodies and inflates/deflates to reach the appropriate size for your body.
Included are games and guided workouts to choose from, a biofeedback feature, reminders, and also the option to log your history for progress.
The company offers a 100 percent money-back guarantee on the device. If you’re not happy with the product for any reason, it is returnable, which you won’t always find with these trainers,
One downside here is that the device isn’t fully waterproof, so do be careful in this regard. It’s easy to clean, but can’t be fully submerged.
Pros
- Clitorial stimulation option.
- Inflation and deflation mechanism for an exact fit.
- 100 percent money-back guarantee.
- Award-winning device.
Cons
- Not waterproof.
- Although it deflates, the internal motor is rather large and some women find it painful to insert.
- Limited variety of games/exercises.
- Not as discreet as other options.
Best Pelvic Floor Trainers in Conclusion
The best pelvic floor trainer for you will be comfortable, easy to use, fit well, and include many types of exercises to train your pelvic floor.
Make sure to choose a safe material that’s hypoallergenic, like most options on our list. A carrying case is helpful to keep it clean, and for the sake of convenience.
Our best pick goes to the Elvie Trainer Exerciser.
Not only does it tick the boxes of the features just mentioned, but it’s 100 percent waterproof, has two charging modes, a detailed smartphone app and two size options.
On top of that, it’s made by women and has a modern appeal that we appreciate.
Keep in mind pelvic floor trainers aren’t only for those that are in the postpartum phase of life. They’re also beneficial for middle-aged women looking to increase pelvic floor tone or manage difficulties with bladder control.
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