One of the most common ways to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and improve the condition of that area of your body is by doing Kegel exercises—and kegel weights are a great tool to help with that.
Why (and How) Would You Use Kegel Weights?
Kegel weights can be used to address a range of common conditions involving the pelvic floor. “Kegel weights are most commonly used to help build strength, coordination and endurance to address issues such as urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse,” says Dr. Amanda Olson, President/Chief Clinical Officer of Intimate Rose. “The kegel weight is placed into the vagina and the pelvic floor muscles engage to maintain the weight in the body. Gentle exercises such as active kegels can be done with the weight in, or the weight can be worn for 10 to 20 minutes during light household activities such as taking a shower, or folding laundry to help build strength during functional activities of daily living.”
What to Know Before Using Kegel Weights
While kegel weights can be helpful to people with certain conditions, they aren’t necessarily the right choice for everyone. “There are certain conditions in which kegel exercises are not recommended,” notes Dr. Angie Staller, urologist, Memorial Hermann Medical Group in Houston, Texas. “These include patients with pelvic floor muscle injuries and myofascial pelvic pain syndrome. If one is interested in trying any pelvic floor exercises, including vaginal weights, one should discuss this with their health care provider first.”
How to Choose the Best Kegel Weights
Not all kegel weights are created equal, so you want to choose carefully. “Kegel weights that are covered in non-porous, BPA-free, medical-grade silicone and are cleared by the FDA are recommended,” says Dr. Olson. “Additionally, it is important that the kegel weight set comes in various weights to allow the person to progress in strength. It is not recommended to use stone eggs as they may be porous and when used internally can have harmful effects due to the stone interacting with the vaginal tissue.”
Best Kegel Weights
We-Vibe Bloom Vibrating Kegel Set - $118
This set includes three progressive weights and 10 vibration patterns. It’s easy to control and program using the free We-connect app.
Lovehoney Main Squeeze Heavy Double Kegel Balls - $19.99
This set of Kegel balls from Lovehoney is affordable yet effective. At just over three ounces, the weights are substantial enough to provide significant benefits, and the silicone retrieval cord makes them easy to remove.
Intimate Rose Kegel Exercise System - $54.99
“The Intimate Rose Kegel Exercise System comes in a set of six Kegel weights to allow a person to gently progress strength, endurance, and coordination,” says Dr. Olson. “They are color coded in cheerful colors which allows people to track their progress and to easily progress themselves.”
INTIMINA KegelSmart - $79.96
This innovative Kegel exerciser operates as a simple yet reliable pelvic floor trainer, allowing you to set a training routine customized for your individual needs. It is made of medical-grade silicone and is very easy to use.
Kegelbell The Vagina Gym Pelvic Floor Training Kit - $109.95
This pelvic floor training kit from Kegelbell includes two inserts and three stackable weights that provide you with lots of opportunity to tailor your training routine exactly as you need.
Bodyotics Pear Drops Deluxe Kegel Weighted Exercise Balls - $39.90
The manufacturer says using this Bodyotics system for 15 minutes a day is the equivalent of doing 100 Kegel exercises. The kit includes six weights, meaning there’s an option for everyone at any step of their pelvic floor strengthening program.
Elvie Trainer - $199
The Elvie Trainer pelvic floor exerciser is high-tech but simple to use, thanks to its intuitive design and app-guided operation. The “gamification” approach helps keep you motivated and lets you track your progress.
Je Joue Ami 3-Step Progressive Kegel Set - $59
This Ami set from Je Joue includes three progressive weights so you have the flexibility to design your own pelvic floor exercise regimen. They are basic and simple yet deliver noticeable results.
Perifit Pelvic Floor Coach - $149
This pelvic floor “coach” system takes a gamification approach to Kegel training, with a dozen strategically designed games you can play on the accompanying app. Made from medical grade silicone, the Perifit is designed for the ultimate comfortable fit.
CalExotics Strawberry Kegel Training Set - $84
This Kegel training set from CalExotics includes a set of six color-coordinated weights, ranging from 1.5 ounces to 4 ounces. Includes a guide to recommended exercises. This set is part of the company’s line of fruit-themed Kegel training kits. Next up, find out the exercises this pelvic floor specialist recommends to all of her patients.
Sources:
Dr. Amanda Olson, President/Chief Clinical Officer of Intimate RoseDr. Angie Staller, urologist, Memorial Hermann Medical Group in Houston Texas
