Kegel Balls: How to Use Them, Effects, Safe Materials and How to Choose

* Note: We use the term "Kegel balls" here. However, terms such as "Ben Wa balls", "Geisha balls" and "vaginal balls" all describe the same principle: a solid inner ball rotates inside a hollow ball and generates stimulating vibrations in the body when you move.

Unlike the countless AI-generated articles about Kegel balls that merely reproduce editorial content, the information in this guide is based on my decades of experience as a midwife and pelvic health therapist in private practice.You will learn exactly how Kegel balls* work, what designs are available, find an overview of sizes and weights, discover how to recognise quality and which materials are truly body-friendly.

Your Added Value in This Guide:
- You will find information here that results from our therapeutic dialogue with women and men who use medical Kegel balls vaginally and anally for pelvic floor problems, prostate problems and other anogenital conditions
- We introduce the only Kegel balls* designed for vaginal and anal use by women and men and certified as a medical device with clinically proven effectiveness
- You will find additional information on related topics in various other guides (see links in the text and list below).

What Are Kegel Balls* and How Do They Work?

In the original sense, a Kegel ball* consists of a hollow ball and a freely rolling inner ball. Movement creates vibration, which stimulates nerves and activates the pelvic floor muscles – vaginally or rectally. The more movement, the more intense the effect. Electrically vibrating products are vibrators and are not a substitute for this mechanical mode of action.

The effectiveness depends on the dimensions: If the inner ball is too large (too little room to move) or too small (too little mass), hardly any vibration is generated. Additional components such as thick coating, threads, eyelets or screws (in metal Kegel balls) reduce the internal space and slow down the inner ball – making the vibration weak and inefficient.

Many Kegel balls are offered as "twins" in a fixed outer covering.
An important tip: Two individual balls are more efficient than two connected balls,because vibrations in a rigid connection largely cancel each other out.

Small Kegel Balls

Small balls are primarily suitable for short, active exercises. For long-term use in daily life, they are often unsuitable because you have to "hold" them in place – this promotes unnecessary increased muscle tone and may even lead to hypertonicity. From a physical perspective, larger balls also generate more noticeable vibrations when moving.

Recommendation: For use in daily life (passive pelvic floor training in daily life), it is best to use the largest possible size that you can insert. This allows the ball to remain safely above the vaginal opening without having to instinctively "hold" it in place. Doing so only leads to cramping or tension. Larger balls also have better effectiveness.

Large Kegel Balls*

Large balls are ideal for daily life and sport: they stay in place more securely, do not require constant muscle tension and generate stronger vibrations. Many people also find the feeling of being “filled” erotic.

Construction Note: In some metal balls, thick coverings, threads or internal eyelets reduce the movement space of the inner ball – which reduces effectiveness. Efficient balls have a thin-walled outer ball and optimally calculated size ratios.

Overview of Kegel Balls by Size (Ordered by Size)

Diameter (mm)	Manufacturer	Model	Material
28	Satisfyer	Balls C02 Single	Silicone
28	Luvsex	Kegel Balls	Silicone
29	Lelo	Luna Beads Mini	ABS, Silicone
31	Magic Shiver	Kegel Balls	Silicone, PU
32	Satisfyer	Balls C03 Double	Silicone
34	Mshop	Kegel Balls	Silicone
34	Satisfyer	V Balls	Silicone
35	Lelo	Luna Beads	ABS, Silicone
35	BEQOOL	Kegel Balls	Silicone
35	Amorado	Pink Kegel Balls	Silicone
36	Fun Factory	Smartballs Duo	Silicone
36	Je Joue	Ami Kegel Balls	Silicone
36	Theros®	Viball® 36	anti-allergenic stainless steel for implants
36	Sweet Smile	Kegel Training Balls	Silicone
40	Theros®	Viball® 40	anti-allergenic stainless steel for implants
45	Theros®	Viball® 45	anti-allergenic stainless steel for implants
45	Sweet Smile	XXL Balls	Silicone
50	Theros®	Viball® 50	anti-allergenic stainless steel for implants
55	Theros®	Viball® 55	anti-allergenic stainless steel for implants
60	Theros®	Viball® 60	anti-allergenic stainless steel for implants

 

Heavy Kegel Balls*

“Heavy Kegel balls” are often sought to increase the effectiveness of exercises. As a pelvic health therapist, I recommend: Use heavy weights or vaginal cones only briefly for active exercises, but not for hours during daily life! For use in daily life, the following applies: Choose the maximum size that suits you rather than the maximum weight – this is safe and highly effective.

Overview by Weight

Diameter (mm)	Weight (g)	Manufacturer	Model	Material
28	103	Luvsex	Kegel Balls	Silicone
34	80	Satisfyer	V Balls	Silicone
34	109	Satisfyer	V Balls	Silicone
34	149	Satisfyer	V Balls	Silicone
36	130	Sweet Smile	Kegel Training Balls	Silicone
36	140	Theros®	Viball® 36	anti-allergenic stainless steel for implants

Extra-heavy balls are Theros® Massive Balls – see below for more information.

Alternatives to Kegel Balls*: Hollow or Solid Balls

Hollow XXL balls and solid balls do not contain an inner ball and therefore do not generate mechanical vibration. They are used as a supplement for specific goals: maximum fullness (hollow) or high weight/pressure/mass (solid) – for example for intensive short-term exercises, anal use or during sex for increased contact. Here too, pay attention to precise material specifications (see the materials chapter).

Hollow Balls as XXL Kegel Balls

Very large hollow balls are usually purchased for erotic reasons because they create the feeling of being maximally filled. However, they do not provide vibration during movement.
If you are looking for both, here is a tip:
Viball® – genuine vibrating XXL Kegel balls up to 60 mm in size made from anti-allergenic stainless steel for implants and at the same time certified medical devices.

Solid Stainless Steel Balls (Extra Heavy)

CAUTION: Solid balls should always be made of stainless steel – the designation "metal" alone is not sufficient! Otherwise, you risk severe allergies. Their effect comes from their weight, pressure, mass and noticeable inertia during movement. They are not suitable for long periods of vaginal use – for anal use this is usually not a problem – but they are ideal for short, intensive pelvic floor exercises to increase effectiveness,for anal use in daily life and even during sex for increased contact between the penis and vagina, provided they have a mirror-polished surface like Theros® Massive Balls.

Sizes and Weights of Theros® Massive Balls:

Diameter (mm)	Weight (g)	Manufacturer	Model	Material
36	190	Theros®	MB36	anti-allergenic stainless steel for implants
40	270	Theros®	MB40	anti-allergenic stainless steel for implants
45	380	Theros®	MB45	anti-allergenic stainless steel for implants
50	520	Theros®	MB50	anti-allergenic stainless steel for implants

Kegel Balls* Made of Silicone, Metal or Stainless Steel?

“Medical silicone” is not a certified term. Compositions vary, and tests have shown that during long-term use some products may release significant amounts of harmful substances.

With metal products that do not provide precise material specifications, for example simply stating “stainless steel” without material details, or imitations made from non-ferrous metals with toxic chrome plating, there is a risk of allergies and even serious health damage.

Anti-allergenic stainless steel for implants (AISI 316L) is used for implants. The material is biocompatible, anti-allergenic, smooth, permanently hygienic, sterilizable, odour-resistant, discolouration-resistant and fully recyclable. In addition, steel conducts vibrations significantly better than silicone.

Professional Conclusion: For vibration efficiency, health, hygiene, durability and sustainability, anti-allergenic stainless steel is an unrivalled material. It is also by far the most expensive, but your health should be worth the price.
Viball® Kegel balls are made from anti-allergenic stainless steel for implants:

How to Use Kegel Balls*

You should insert Kegel balls in a relaxed state using a little high-quality lube. Movement is the basis for optimal effectiveness – activities involving swinging and circular movements such as walking, Nordic walking, cycling or dancing are ideal.

Belly Dancing:
Sensual, healthy and the optimum activity for the most intense effect of Kegel balls

During belly dancing, Kegel balls develop an unrivalled effect. If you practise belly dancing, the increased vibration of the balls also helps you feel whether you are moving optimally. This allows you to learn belly dancing much faster with Kegel balls while at the same time enjoying the maximum effect.

You should avoid jumping, stamping and high-impact sports such as badminton or squash, as well as trampoline jumping – especially if you have a weak pelvic floor – because the inner balls may bounce and strike against the outer shell.

You should not wear Kegel balls while sleeping because they provide no effect during sleep. In particular, products made from plastic or silicone should not be left in the body overnight because harmful off-gassing may occur over time due to body heat.

Which Factors Determine Quality?

1. Optimal Fit

More sizes = better fit and more secure retention without having to hold the ball in place, because that only leads to cramping.

2. Multiple Size and Weight Levels

As in strength training, increasing sizes and weights allow you to progressively increase your training and achieve noticeable progress.

3. Optimal Vibration Energy

A thin-walled outer ball and an optimally dimensioned inner ball generate maximum vibration.

4. Material

Material without off-gassing or the latent release of toxins into the body, as can occur with plastics, for example anti-allergenic stainless steel for implants: 100% biocompatible, highly hygienic because it is easy to clean, even sterilizable, and offers maximum vibration resonance.

Which Kegel Balls* for Which Application?

A brief explanation first: Active use means short, targeted Kegel exercises focusing on strength and specific muscle work (similar to weight training). Here, the ball may be smaller and/or heavier – but only for a limited period of time. Passive use means relaxed wearing during daily life and sport for continuous movement-dependent vibration and erotic stimulation.

Active Pelvic Floor Workout (Short-Term Use)

For an active pelvic floor workout or Kegel exercises, you should generally use smaller or heavier balls (similar to weights). Smaller balls require greater muscle tension, and smaller heavy (solid) balls with higher weight require even more. However, these should not be worn for extended periods.

Daily Life, Sport & Eroticism (Long-Term Use)

For this purpose, choose the largest size you can comfortably insert so that the ball remains securely above the vaginal opening without tension and without slipping out. Larger balls therefore provide secure retention, strong vibration and comfortable use in daily life.

Which Kegel Balls* Are Right for Me?

Advertising claims are no substitute for evidence. Only certified medical devices are required to prove safety and effectiveness. Marketing terms such as “medical” without certification are irrelevant.

Viball® – Medical Kegel Balls* for Women, Men and Couples

Viball® combines the following Unique Features: Maximum effectiveness through a physically optimised design, anti-allergenic stainless steel for implants, six sizes, nine weights, can be worn completely without a string inside the body and is certified as a medical device. Ideal for rectal use (including for the prostate), during sex as a “contact enhancer” and in daily life for passive stimulation.

Viball® – All Sizes at a Glance

Why Kegel Balls* Help After Pregnancy

In daily life, the vibrations remind you of your pelvic floor, promote contractions and thereby support postnatal recovery and continence – pleasantly enhanced by erotic impulses as a booster.

The Most Important Questions & Answers

What are Kegel balls*?
Real Kegel balls* = hollow ball + freely rolling inner ball → vibration through movement.

Why do some have hardly any effect?
Incorrect size ratios between the inner and outer ball, obstacles inside the hollow ball and vibration-dampening coverings reduce vibration – resulting in limited effectiveness.

Which size is right?
As large as comfortably possible – for secure retention above the vaginal opening without holding tension. Viball® is available in six sizes.

Which material is optimal?
Anti-allergenic stainless steel for implants (AISI 316L) – biocompatible, anti-allergenic, smooth, hygienic, durable and provides the best vibration transmission.

How long should they be worn?
For daily life: as long as you like (with the correct size and material). Training weights: only for short-term use.

* Note: Terms such as Ben Wa balls, Geisha balls, vaginal balls or pelvic floor training balls all describe the same principle: a solid inner ball rotates inside a hollow ball and generates vibration during movement.

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