Deciphering Home Kegel Devices

Today we are going to talk about 3 different types of home devices to perform your kegels. Home Kegel devices are trending as a way to perform your pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercises. 

But how do you know if a home kegel device is right for you?

First, read this to see if a kegel device is a good idea for you:

1. You don’t have any pelvic floor issues like leaking urine, frequent constipation or pain with sex (among others) and just want to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles for general wellness. 
2. You have pelvic floor issues and have already had your pelvic floor assessed by a professional, such as a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist. That clinician recommended this type of device to start strengthening the pelvic floor area. 
3. You are bored when doing kegels and want an interactive way to do these exercises. 

 

At-Home Kegel Devices

As a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, I wanted to see how these devices REALLY worked and put them to the test. I also wanted to give my clients the real run down on their at-home kegel options. Keep in mind that my perspective is coming from a Physical Therapist’s perspective when it comes to the product specifications. But my personal experience with each product is also coming from someone who is of small stature and has not birthed any children. Someone who has had a vaginal delivery or who is of larger stature may find the sizes feel different for them. We are all unique with different needs, which is why it is ideal to get your pelvic floor checked by a Pelvic PT first, then think about getting one of these devices. 

I used 3 different devices that are out on the market now: The Elvie, The Kehel and The Perifit.

 

Here’s the breakdown:

The Elvie

https://www.elvie.com/en-us/shop/elvie-trainer

Product Specifics:

• States that it can detect incorrect contraction (lifting vs bearing down)
• Additional cover to allow for more custom fit
• Uses visuals and can track progress on mobile phone application
• No differentiation between the superficial and deep pelvic muscles
• No vibration/proprioceptive feedback
• Most expensive

Personal Experience in Comparison to Other Devices:

• More comfortable than perift, different types of games which seemed to include more types of pelvic floor exercises like lifts, pulses, speed and a few others
• It gives general pelvic floor muscle statistics
• May be more comfortable for people who have not had any babies and/or are of small stature

 

The Kehel 

https://us.joyontoys.com/en/pelvic-exerciser-with-app-kehel/

Product Specifics:

• No differentiation between superficial & deep pelvic muscles
• Uses visuals and can track progress on mobile phone application
• Has a vibration option (working on proprioception) to tell you which muscles you should be working
• Can buy from Amazon (Prime 2 day shipping)
• Cheapest in price

Personal Experience in Comparison to Other Devices:

• Comfortable fit, easier to know when it is in the right position
• 2 games specifically for grip and speed
• Has a vibration function where the harder you squeeze, the more vibration you get to tell you that you are squeezing with more intensity
• Has separate vibration mode with 4 types of vibration, not associated with performing kegel for general sensory stimulation

 

The Perifit

https://perifit.co/

Product Specifics:

• Differentiation of the superficial & deep pelvic muscles
• Uses visuals and can track progress on mobile phone application
• No vibration/proprioceptive feedback
• Second most expensive

Personal Experience in Comparison to Other Devices:

• A bit uncomfortable at first, hard to know if it is positioned correctly because of design
• Visuals of game experience are nice
• You perform the same game- but do different things in the game
• Breaks down superficial versus deep muscle layer statistics
• May be more comfortable for someone who has had a vaginal delivery or is of larger stature

 

Have any other devices that you like, dislike or have questions about? Shoot me an email at [email protected].

In Health,

Arantzazu “Zazu” Cioce PT, DPT

Pelvic Health and Orthopedic Physical Therapist

FMT Certified Movement Specialist

Certified Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum Physical Therapist

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(This article was written from personal experience with the products as of 3/12/20)

I did not receive any financial benefit for writing this content. This content is to be used for educational purposes and is not intended to replace or serve as medical evaluation or treatment.