Tag: kegel exerciser

Header for Arosum strapless strap-on and kegel exerciser review

[Toy Review] Arosum Vibratwin Strapless Strap-On & Kegelator Kegel Exerciser

Published on by Amy2 Comments

Arosum, who both sponsored this double review and recently came on board as a site sponsor, is a rare beast in this industry: a sex toy retailer that does not use gendered language in its marketing. You won’t find Arosum toys grouped into limiting and cissexist categories such as “for women” and “for men.” Instead, toys are categorised by type and body part.

This is such an easy change to make if you want to make your sex toy marketing more inclusive, and yet so many retailers fail.

Arosum kindly send me the Vibratwin Strapless Strap-On and the Kegelator Vibrating Kegel Balls to review.

Arosum Vibratwin Strapless Strap-On

Arosum Vibratwin strapless strap-on vibrator

Strapless strap-ons are a divisive topic in the sex toy space. Some love them and others hate them. I’ve always been quite indifferent. I had a mediocre experience with one in my twenties, and haven’t really bothered again since. So I was curious to see how I’d get on with the Arosum Vibratwin Strapless Strap-On.

Fun fact, as I discovered when doing Google keyword research for this post: Vibratwin is also the name of a dual-action floor cleaning machine!

Vibratwin strapless strap-on details

The Vibratwin is a classic strapless strap-on vibrator, with one arm to go inside the wearer and then a protruding arm for them to fuck their partner with. The main shaft measures 5.35″ in length and 1.57″ in diameter at the widest point, and the shaft for the wearer measures 5.51″ in insertable length (but is very curved) and 1.26″ in diameter at the widest point.

The Vibratwin is made of body-safe silicone in a pretty shade of green. In the box you’ll also find a remote control and a storage bag (though, weirdly, the bag isn’t really big enough for the toy unless you squish it in at a weird angle!)

The Vibratwin is IPX7 waterproof and rechargeable. The battery life – around 45 minutes on a full charge – isn’t great, but is anyone really doing penetrative sex for longer than 45 minutes at a time anyway?

In use: what I liked

Arosum Vibratwin strapless strap-on vibrator

I really like the curved shape of the wearer’s shaft on the Vibratwin, for two reasons:

  1. It helps the toy to actually stay inside me
  2. It presses very pleasurably against my G-spot

Other things I like about this toy:

  • The “come hither” motion of the main shaft. It feels great and it means that, if you want to have strap-on sex without a lot of thrusting, you can just slide the shaft inside your partner and let the toy do the hard work. There are 3 different speeds.
  • The versatility. You can control the come-hither motion and the vibrations separately. Or, if you’re not in the mood for either, just leave them switched off.
  • It takes much less set-up than my regular strap-on, which I love but which always requires several minutes of futzing with straps and rings before it’s ready to go.
  • The remote control is a really nice addition, making it easy to control the toy in use with a partner. It’s fast and responsive.
  • There’s no reason you can’t also use it as a solo toy, if you want.
  • The silicone is really soft and smooth.

Anything I don’t like?

  • The inevitable squeaky whine that accompanies the “come hither” motion. This isn’t really Arosum’s fault, it’s probably almost impossible to make a toy that does this motion without it, but I still hate it.
  • The ridges on the main shaft. These will work really well for some people but for me, that level of texturing is more likely to be painful than pleasurable. As such, I think I’d prefer to use this toy when I’m Topping (assuming my partner enjoys that texture) rather than bottoming.
  • The vibrations are quite weak and buzzy. I don’t really like internal vibrations anyway, though, so I’ll just keep them turned off when using this toy in the future.

Verdict

Surprisingly great! I really like this one and will definitely use it again.

The Vibratwin Strapless Strap-On retails for $99.

Arosum Kegelator Vibrating Kegel Balls

Arosum Kegelator vibrating kegel exerciser

I’ve written about kegel balls (AKA pleasure balls) and their purported benefits before. Some proponents claim that they can strengthen the pelvic floor, reduce incontinence, or enhance (or make it easier to have) G-spot orgasms. The actual evidence, though, doesn’t really stack up. The data supporting the bladder control claims is minimal and contradictory, and I could find no evidence (beyond the anecdotal) to support the orgasm claims.

Kegel exercises themselves are good for you, helping to prevent incontinence and other pelvic floor problems. It’s a good idea to do them regularly. But do kegel balls or other exercisers really help? The jury is out on that one.

Due to the lack of evidence to support any health claims, I choose to look at kegel balls and kegel exercises purely as sex toys.

With that in mind, how does the Kegelator stack up as a sex toy?

The Kegelator measures 8.27″ end to end, of which 4.33″ is insertable and the rest is the tail. The insertable portion is 1.54″ wide at the widest point, and 0.79″ at the narrowest point. It’s made of body-safe silicone in a dusky pink shade and is the classic “two connected balls with a long tail” shape.

As well as vibrating, the top part of the Kegelator moves in a “come hither” motion to stimulate the G-spot.

What I liked about the Kegelator

Arosum Kegelator vibrating kegel exerciser

  • The main thing I like about this toy is its shape. The size and slight curve of the head is ideal for seeking out my G-spot and targeting it with precision.
  • The remote is fast, responsive, and allows you to move between the 10 patterns and settings in either direction.
  • It’s comfortable enough to wear for quite a while, if you want to.
  • The silicone is silky soft.

Anything I didn’t like?

  • That whining noise again!
  • The fact that you can’t control the vibrations and come hither motion separately. I don’t like internal vibrations and would really like to turn them off while still using the other function!
  • 60 minutes battery life isn’t great, especially for something you might theoretically want to wear for longer periods.
  • The vibrations are weak and buzzy.

Verdict

Unlike the Vibratwin, I think the Kegelator is just okay. It’s really let down by the lack of dual controls, and the buzzy vibrations will be a downside for anyone looking for powerful internal vibes.

The Kegelator Kegel Exerciser retails for $79.

Thanks to Arosum for sponsoring this review. Sponsors help to keep the site going! All views, as always, are mine.

Header image for a review of the Lovehoney Excite Pleasure Balls

[Toy Review] Lovehoney Excite Pleasure Balls

Published on by Amy1 Comment

The first time I reviewed a set of pleasure balls (also known as kegel balls, ben-wa balls, or kegel exercisers,) I did a dive into the scientific literature concerning these are-they-a-sex-toy-or-are-they-a-wellness-product? Check that out if you’re interested in learning more. Today we’re looking at the Excite kegel balls from the Lovehoney Excite range.

Excite Pleasure Balls: Details

The Lovehoney Excite Pleasure Balls are two firm, connected balls coated in silicone. They have a long tail for easy removal, and each ball has a free-moving weight inside for added stimulation. The total weight is 73g. (If you’re looking for something a bit heavier, Lovehoney also offer the 90g “Main Squeeze” kegel balls, which I’m also a fan of.)

The purple Lovehoney Excite Pleasure Balls

The total insertable length is around 3 inches, and each ball is 1.4″ in diameter.

Lovehoney Kegel Balls: In Use

I’ve always found Lovehoney to be a good place to buy decent basic products at affordable prices, and these are no exception. The Excite Pleasure Balls are easy to insert and comfortable to wear, thanks to the smooth surface and soft silicone.

The purple Lovehoney Excite Pleasure Balls

The jiggle weights inside allow for subtle but noticeable stimulation, rolling around inside you as you move. Unlike some other kegel balls I’ve tried, these felt snug and secure once inside and I never feared they were going to fall out.

The silicone tail feels flimsy at first glance, but is actually extremely strong. So don’t worry about not being able to get the balls out again!

Pro Tips for Maximum Pleasure and Safety

  • Always use plenty of water-based lube.
  • Try leaving your Excite Pleasure Balls in while you do clitoral or anal play.
  • Wearing them out and about during the day can be super sexy and fun. But don’t try it with no practice! Start out using your kegel balls for no more than 10-15 minutes. You can always build up to longer periods of wear.
  • Sterilise your kegel balls between every use using the boil method.
  • Someone on Lovehoney recommended pulling them out (or having a partner pull them out) at the point of orgasm. I haven’t tried this, but imagine it could be fun!

Excite Pleasure Balls: Verdict

A solid and fun little toy for the price. Get yourself a set for £12.99 ($18.99 US) from Lovehoney.

Thanks to Lovehoney for sending me the Excite Pleasure Balls to review. All views are, as always, my own. Affiliate links appear within this post.

Header image for a review of the Satisfyer Balls kegel exercisers

[Toy Review] Satisfyer Balls

Published on by Amy1 Comment

Kegel balls, sometimes called Ben-wa balls, pleasure balls, or kegel exercisers, are duos or trios of small weighted balls that are inserted into the vagina. Some vibrate, others do not. They are designed to assist with kegel exercises by forcing the vaginal muscles to contract around them to keep them in place. Satisfyer sent me a set of their V Balls kegel balls to try out.

My hand holding a set of red Satisfyer kegel balls

Do Kegel Balls Work? What the Science Says

There are a lot of claims around kegel balls. The benefits of performing regular kegel exercises are well known: they strengthen the pelvic floor, which has potential benefits including reducing urinary incontinence and reducing the risk of prolapse. Some also claim they can boost sexual pleasure and increase the regularity and intensity of orgasm:

“The potential benefits of doing Kegel exercises on a regular basis include: greater ease in achieving orgasm, increased intensity of orgasm, increased lubrication, heightened control over sensation during penetration, and protection against urinary incontinence and bladder prolapse.” (Bartlik et al, 2010)

But do kegel balls like Satisfyer’s V Balls help compared to performing kegel exercises without them? The evidence is less conclusive.

One 2013 study examined the effect of “vaginal spheres” (kegel exercisers) in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence and found a statistically significant difference in the improvement shown by women who used the spheres vs those who performed kegel exercises without. A different study, however, used “weighted vaginal cones” to treat urinary incontinence, and found that “there was little evidence of difference for a subjective cure between cones and pelvic floor muscle training” (Herbison & Dean, 2013.)

Anecdotally, balls may help by making the user more likely to actually do their exercises, rather than making the exercises more effective by themselves. They don’t do much automatically and still require user effort if you’re looking to use them for pelvic floor training specifically.

What About Kegel Balls as a Sex Toy?

Outside of their potential pelvic health benefits, kegel balls are most commonly sold and used as sex toys for the purpose of pleasure.

If you’re someone who enjoys vaginal penetration, walking or moving around with a toy like the Satisfyer V Balls inside you can be intensely pleasurable.

Walking or moving around with inside you can feel amazing if you’re a person who enjoys vaginal penetration. I find that on the occasions I’ve worn kegel balls for any length of time, they can keep me at a heightened level of arousal the entire time. Wearing kegel balls can also be fun as part of a power exchange game, if you’re into that.

Basically, treat kegel balls as a sex toy and not as a medical device, and you’re more likely to have fun!

Satisfyer V Balls

The Satisfyer V Balls come in sets of three peanut-shaped duos with a looped handle for easy retrieval. Each is in a different colour (blue, pink, and red) and they are all made of body-safe silicone. They look like this:

Official product image of the Satisfyer Kegel Balls

Each of the two balls has a weight inside, and each set gets progressively heavier. They weigh in at 60g, 75.6g, and 91.6g respectively. The increasing weight provides different levels of stimulation and intensity to choose from. If you’re using kegel balls as an addition to pelvic floor-strengthening exercises, a higher weight can also increase resistance and therefore effectiveness.

Measuring just over an inch in diameter and with a total insertable length of 6.9cm, the Satisfyer V Balls offer an enjoyable sense of fullness without being uncomfortably large. Each ball has some gentle ridges, which may provide additional internal stimulation to some users.

The balls themselves, and the joins between them, feel well-made and sturdy. However, the handle loops are pretty thin and flimsy. They stretch when pulled, making them ineffective for helping to remove the balls from the vagina. Though mine have held out so far, I don’t see them lasting very long with regular usr.

With that said, these sets are inexpensive and, since you get three pairs of balls in different weights, pretty good value. If you’re new to using kegel balls or want to experiment with different weights and intensities, they’re not a bad place to start. You can buy them from The Pleasure Garden for £39.99.

Thanks to Satisfyer for sending me the V Balls to review. All views are, as always, my own. Purchasing through the affiliate links in this post helps to support my work.