Kegels are something many of us have heard of doing, but not everyone might understand the point of. It's an exercise of the pelvic floor muscle that is commonly described as tensing as though you want to stop a flow of urine.
We spoke to Sarah Mulindwa, sexual health expert at Lovehoney, to get a better understanding of why Kegels are so important.
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Sarah said: "Kegel exercises are important because they strengthen your pelvic floor muscle which, in women, helps prevent incontinence and urine leakage. They are particularly important for those that have recently gone through childbirth, or had any surgery or other related issues to do with the pelvis."
While the exercises do have an association with avoiding urine leakage after childbirth, there are more benefits to doing Kegels than just that.
Sarah said: "Kegel exercises strengthen your pelvic floor which can not only help to prevent urine leakage, but also lead to stronger and longer orgasms."
While many of us have attempted Kegel exercises at some point or another, it's the tensing you do when you try to stop the flow of urine, venturing out to using equipment is something that might not be so familiar.
But is there an advantage to using Kegel balls rather than just doing the exercises solo?
Sarah said: "The concept is the same as with any form of weightlifting – pelvic floor exercises on their own are great, but using weighted Kegel balls will make it even stronger."
It doesn't matter what age you are, or if you've given birth in the past or not, you can start up your pelvic floor exercise regime at any point.
Sarah said: "Just like any other exercise or muscle-building activity, it is never too late to start doing Kegel exercises but, just like the others, the more you do and the earlier you start, the stronger your pelvic floor will be."
I've collated a small guide of some of the best Kegel weights to get you started on your journey to toning up your pelvic floor.
For a total beginner who doesn't want to spend too much as they start their workout there's a singular Kegel ball weighing 30g for just £7.99, it has a circumference of 4.5 inches and has a silicone coating which is fairly standard for a Kegel weight.
If you'd rather take on more of of a journey, there are sets of multiple different weights to work yourself up to as you can handle something heavier.
From the Lovehoney Health range is a set of three weights (50g, 80g, 100g) in the signature mint green shade of the Health range, each weight comes in a different shape making it really easy to tell them apart at a glance.
These weights have sturdy removal loops that remain outside of the body and make for easy retrieval after you've finished exercising. They come with a grey bag to easily store your weights and the set costs £49.99.
If you want something a little different, there are vibrating Kegel balls that you can get, they come in much lower weights and are customisable. The Lovehoney Rechargeable Remote Control Vibrating Kegel Ball Set features five balls, the 11g ball vibrates whereas the two 21g and two 29g balls do not.
The vibration setting is not crucial for a strong workout but can add a thrill to the experience, this set costs £49.99.
The Tracey Cox Supersex Kegel Training Set features six weights, ranging from 50g to 130g, which allows you to gradually work your way up as you find you're able to use a heavier weight. The weights come in a case for easy storage so you can easily tuck them away and know that they aren't at risk of damage.
What's interesting about this set is the shape of the Kegel balls, instead of the classic spherical ball it has a more streamlined shape that is almost similar to a tadpole - this makes it easier to remove the weight after use and makes it a great starting point on any Kegel journey. It also has a circumference of 3.5 inches, making it narrower than most Kegel weights on the market.
At £59.99 this is the most expensive set on our guide but the quality and ease of use make it clear that there is good value for money.
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