After having a baby, it's very normal for 'down below' to feel, well, different - but be rest assured that with the best pelvic floor trainers, you can strengthen the muscles around your vagina and bladder - which can help with everything from incontinence to your sex life.
Pelvic floor exercises have also been proven to reduce symptoms of prolapse. Pilates and yoga are among some of the activities you can do to strengthen your pelvic floor. But we all know that pelvic floor exercises can be boring, so that's why it's worth investing in a trainer. As well as ensuring you're doing the exercises correctly and efficiently, some pelvic floor trainers can even make it fun.
Closer's best pelvic floor trainers at a glance:
Best highly rated pelvic floor trainer: Bodyotics Deluxe Kegel Weighted Exercise Balls, £40 on Amazon
Best bestselling pelvic floor trainer: TensCare itouch Sure Pelvic Floor Exerciser, £60 on Amazon
Best recommended pelvic floor trainer: Perifit Pelvic Floor Exerciser With App, £129 on Amazon
A pelvic floor trainer is a small contraption that you often connect to an app on your phone or tablet. The app can set workouts, monitor your progress and ensure that you are doing the exercises correctly. You can even set reminders for when it's time to do the exercises, which can help you stick to a routine.
If you're struggling with incontinence, a pelvic floor trainer may help (along with discreet period pants for leakage). The best thing is that you can a trainer anytime, so it won't hinder your daily routine much. So, with that in mind, here are the best pelvic floor trainers to help you feel like 'you' again.
SHOP: 9 best pelvic floor trainers for mums
Best highly rated pelvic floor trainer
AmazonA complete pelvic floor strengthener to get you prepared for pregnancy and birth, or recovery from labour. With only 15 minutes a day, you can get your pelvic floor muscles stronger than ever with its selection of six different weights for beginner through to advanced level. This product is ideal for those who want to take their Kegel training seriously and who are set on seeing results.
Customer review: "Bought these for menopausal symptoms. So far so good. Really easy to clean and use. I've started slowly on the lightest weight and it's going well so far. I have high hopes for my pelvic floor!"
Pros
- Includes six silicone weights that are BPA-free
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Some reviewers wished they were heavier
Best bestselling pelvic floor trainer
AmazonThis single-channel TensCare iTouch Sure Pelvic Floor Exerciser provides relief with a tampon-shaped probe. It uses gentle electrotherapy to stimulate pelvic floor muscles and flexibility. Use it for 20 minutes each day during any seated activity for a two-month period.
Customer review: "I'm really pleased with this machine. After three kids and never having done a kegal exercise, I'd started to struggle when I sneezed or coughed. I noticed some improvements after using the Tens Care for a week. It's good because there's no effort involved, you just pop it in and it does the work for you."
Pros
- Intensity goes up in small steps
- Discreet as the device is silent
Cons
- Some reviewers felt it used a lot of battery so had to replace them often
Best recommended pelvic floor trainer
AmazonSay goodbye to boring and complicated exercises and get quick results, thanks to the Perifit Pelvic Floor Exerciser with App's fun exercises. You just need to connect the device to the app via Bluetooth, and you can watch your pelvic floor contractions in real-time.
Customer review: "I've been using the Perifit for a month now, only missed one day. The first week no difference, despite a steady improvement in my scores. Second week I thought things had improved though my symptoms fluctuate over the month (with hormones I guess). Now I have done a month and no leaks at all over the past few weeks I can confirm that this has definitely worked for me."
Pros
- Fun and interactive exercises
- Equipped with a dual pressure sensor to ensure maximum effectiveness
Cons
- Some reviewers felt it was expensive for what it is
Best pelvic floor trainers for dryness
CurrentBodywww.currentbody.com
The vSculpt uses light, heat, and vibration to tone your pelvic floor and help improve vaginal dryness. One trial found 90 per cent of women had an improvement in bladder leakage after using it for ten minutes a day, every other day, for six to eight weeks.
Customer review: "The vSculpt is pricey and looks quite daunting, but it’s actually quite comfortable to use. It heats up gently and you can adjust the vibration levels to suit you. You'll feel that your muscles have definitely had a workout and I like that the treatment time is so short."
Pros
- Therapeutic vibrations claim to improve pelvic floor strength by 82 per cent
- Restores elasticity and moisture to the pelvic floor
Cons
- One reviewer found that it doesn't hold its charge well
Best smart pelvic floor trainer
Bootswww.boots.com
Although it's pricey, it's money well-spent as it makes your pelvic floor exercise routine fun. You sync Elvie up with an app on your phone and play games designed to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, and are challenged to beat your top score. Perfect for competitive mamas.
Customer review: "I can't believe how fast I saw a significant difference in my pelvic floor. Well-worth the investment and really simple to use."
Pros
- App guides you through each exercise and helps you to improve your technique
- Sealed with medical-grade silicone and 100 per cent waterproof
Cons
- You will require a smartphone to get the full benefit
Best technical pelvic floor trainer
AmazonIf you're looking for results, the Silk'n Tightra is an innovative piece of tech which utilises the power of bipolar radiofrequency energy to help tighten the labia and strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. The device is pain-free and has had hundreds of five-star reviews from satisfied customers.
Customer review: "I love this product! Works really well and does everything it says. I'm a licensed esthetician and I can tell you that this device will save you thousands over the course of your lifetime in comparison to what kind of markups you would pay at a medical facility."
Pros
- Uses non-invasive radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen production and tighten vaginal tissues
- Many users report minimal discomfort
Cons
- May need charging often
Best pelvic floor trainer with different weights
LookFantasticwww.lookfantastic.com
Currently a popular choice on LookFantastic, this set of three kegel balls comes in three different weights. When you're more comfortable, you can advance where you see fit. Made from soft, body-safe silicone, these affordable kegel balls are believed to encourage a strengthening effect on the pelvic floor.
Customer review: "Great product, very comfortable to use, easy to store and great for health. Felt the difference already on the second week. Highly recommend."
Pros
- Made from soft, body-safe silicone
- Suitable for use during menopause
Cons
- Have to use daily to see a difference
Best pelvic floor trainer for beginners
AmazonThe Intimina pelvic floor exerciser is a similar trainer to the Elvie, but much cheaper. It also pairs with an app that helps you through each pelvic floor exercise so you can really know you're doing it correctly. It's easy to use, making it a great start to your pelvic floor exercise routine.
Customer review: "I'm really happy with how this Kegel Smart trainer has taken my kegel training to a whole new level. If you've been doing kegels on your own, like I have been doing daily for weeks before purchase, this is a great step up in your routine."
Pros
- Automatically adapts intensity for each tightening routine
- Uses gentle vibrations to guide you through each pelvic floor exercise
Cons
- Some reviewers wish the exercises lasted for longer
Best clinically-proven pelvic floor trainer
AmazonThe Kegel8 with 20 clinically-proven pelvic floor exercise and relaxation programmes to help tighten and strengthen. Just like a Sat-Nav for your pelvic floor muscles, this will remove all the guesswork, meaning you have a successful workout every time!
Customer review: "Only had a few weeks and already I can notice a difference. I was hesitant purchasing, thinking "will this really work?" Yes it does and I'm very happy I bought it. Comfortable and easy to use."
Pros
- Helped some reviewers with pelvic muscle pain
- Allows you to track your progress over time
Cons
- The interface might take some getting used to for some
FAQs
What is a pelvic floor?
Pelvic floor training is, essentially, performing vaginal exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles (the muscles you use to wee). These muscles support the uterus, bladder, small intestine, and rectum.
With time, and especially with pregnancy and vaginal birth, these muscles can start to weaken and you may start to suffer from pelvic organ prolapse (POP). POP could also be genetic. A prolapsed pelvic floor can make everyday life, and even sex, uncomfortable.
Frequent use of a pelvic floor trainer can improve control over bladder and bowel functions, reduce the risk of prolapse, provide better recovery from childbirth, and increased orgasms.
How to use a pelvic floor trainer?
A pelvic floor trainer is a weighted contraption that you insert into the vagina (much like a tampon or menstrual cup during your period) to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. You can also use a lubricant if it's more comfortable for you. The stimulation provided causes the user to contract their muscles which, in turn, exercises the pelvic floor.
It's recommended to use it daily, for no longer than 30 minutes a day. Results can take up to a few months. But, hopefully after continued use, you should see an improvement in your pelvic floor. Follow the guidance of the connected app or programme on the device in order to use it correctly.
However, it’s worth noting pelvic floor exercises aren’t for everyone. If your pelvic floor muscles are always tight, these exercises can do more harm than good. Be sure to seek the medical advice of a doctor if you have any concerns.
Aimee Jakes is the shopping editor across heat and Closer. As well as mainly writing about skincare launches, high-street fashion and gym bag essentials, she also regularly chats to celebs about their wellness routines for heat's Self-Care Sunday.