We turned to sexual health experts Heather Jeffcoat, DPT; Angela Fishman, LPT; and sex educator Carol Queen to determine which Kegel weights they trust and recommend. We also pored through countless online reviews for extra feedback—our pros and cons are based on all this research.
9 Best Kegel Weights and Balls, According to Pelvic Floor Experts
One negative effect that weak Kegel muscles can have is vaginismus, a condition that causes the pelvic floor muscles to spasm before or during any vaginal penetration, oftentimes leading to painful sex or pain when inserting a tampon. In this case, Jeffcoat tells her patients to stop doing Kegel exercises (or even any core strength training like Pilates), as this could exacerbate the problem.
Your pelvic floor muscles can weaken for a variety of reasons, including getting older or giving birth. If you suspect your pelvic floor could use a boost, you’re not alone—according to a 2008 NIH study, 25% of women have experienced pelvic floor disorders.
What are Kegel exercises?
You have your gym membership and countless healthy recipes saved on TikTok, but what have you done for your vag lately? The best Kegel weights, as well as smart trainers and machines, work to strengthen your pelvic floor; think of it as a hammock that supports some very important organs, like your uterus, bladder, and bowels. It’s also a major player in your sex life—which means Kegel weights should be, too.
Our top picks
What is the pelvic floor?
Pelvic floor muscles are central to sexual health, explains Carol Queen, PhD, sex educator and staff sexologist at Good Vibrations. “If they are too weak or too tight, this can have effects on our sexual functioning—especially for those of us with vaginas, but really everyone,” she says. “These muscles pulse when we come, and if they don’t pulse very hard, the contractions of orgasm aren’t very pronounced,” Queen continues. In other words, your orgasms might not live up to expectations.
Like luxury sex toys, the most advanced Kegel weights include bells and whistles like app connectivity, guided training, and powerful vibrations. (Yes, your Kegel balls can totally double as some of the best vibrators in your collection—they’re great for exercise and sexual pleasure at once.) But you don’t need to spend more than $50 on your pick if you’re not hoping for extras. Ready to get started? These are the best Kegel weights and balls for your pelvic health, according to experts and reviewers.
Why you should trust us
There’s also no “right” way to perform pelvic floor exercises. Some people prefer to do Kegel exercises on their own, while others prefer physical tools like Kegel balls; it totally depends on your personal preference and needs. “Research shows that using vaginal weights does indeed strengthen our pelvic floor muscles,” says Angela Fishman, a licensed physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor therapy. “However, research also shows that using vaginal weights is not any more effective than doing other pelvic-floor muscle exercises, such as Kegels. So the lesson is, just do something!”
Kegel exercises, whether with a device or without, can help. These exercises involve contracting and relaxing your pelvic floor muscles to help strengthen them, explains pelvic floor physical therapist Heather Jeffcoat, DPT. She recommends her physical therapy clients “gently close the anus, then vagina, then urethra.” It’s important to talk to a medical professional before you self-prescribe Kegel exercises since they can lead to more damage. “If these muscles are short or overactive, doing Kegels could actually make their incontinence, pain, or pelvic organ prolapse worse,” Jeffcoat says.