What are the differences between pelvic floor trainers?

Pelvic floor training is recommended after childbirth and to treat urinary incontinence. Weakness of the pelvic floor muscles affects at least 1 in 3 women during their lifetime and impacts not only health and quality of life but also everyday independence. This guide compares the types of pelvic floor trainers (biofeedback, electrical stimulation), their technologies, and features to help you choose the right tool.

• It's important to choose a method suited to your situation: traditional training at a clinic, a smart pelvic floor trainer, or a home-use pelvic floor electrical stimulator.
• Consider the comfort of the device, its shape, ease of use, possible coverage (medical prescription, health insurance), long-term motivation, and support from a specialized healthcare professional (midwife, pelvic floor physiotherapist, gynecologist).

• The Emy Trainer offers ultra-sensitive detection of contractions with real-time visualization and is based on medical protocols, progress tracking, and can be used at home in just a few minutes a day, with observable results after only 3 weeks of regular training.

Overview of the pelvic floor muscles

The pelvic floor consists of the muscles located between the pubic bone and the tailbone. This pelvic area supports the bladder, uterus, and rectum, helps control the sphincters, and plays a vital role in sexual health and continence.

When these muscles lack tone or are overly tight, various issues can arise: urinary leaks, constipation, prolapse, pain, discomfort during intercourse, or a feeling of "lack of support."

Life events such as pregnancy, childbirth, weight changes, high-impact sports, or aging can weaken these pelvic floor muscles.

Pelvic floor training aims to strengthen this area, restore proper muscle function, and improve long-term women's health through better control of contraction and relaxation.

What is a pelvic floor trainer?

A pelvic floor trainer is a medical device inserted into the vagina (vaginal trainer) or rectum (anal trainer) to measure muscle activity and/or stimulate the pelvic floor muscles.

It is designed to be comfortable, often made of medical-grade silicone, and equipped with sensors or electrodes to measure muscle activity, transmit data to a device, or deliver electrical stimulation.

Depending on the technology, the function of a pelvic floor trainer varies:

• some trainers measure contractions (biofeedback) to guide you in voluntary muscle strengthening;

• others are connected to a pelvic floor electrical stimulator and provide electrical stimulation to trigger passive contractions;

• the trainers Connected devices are linked to an app via Bluetooth for real-time progress tracking and a more engaging experience.

The goal remains the same: to help you better use your muscles, to strengthen your pelvic floor with a method tailored to your level, your condition (incontinence, constipation, pain, lack of tone), and your lifestyle.

The Different Types of Pelvic Floor Trainers

Manual Trainers (finger devices, in-clinic use)

Manual trainers or finger devices are mainly used during pelvic floor rehabilitation sessions in clinics. The healthcare professional (specialized physiotherapist, midwife) performs an evaluation through vaginal or anal palpation and uses a trainer connected to a measurement device to assess strength, endurance, coordination, and contraction quality.

Advantages

• Allow precise diagnosis and comprehensive evaluation thanks to the healthcare professional’s perspective.

• Very useful for learning the correct technique, understanding the sensation of a proper contraction, and adjusting effort intensity.

Limitations

• Require visits to the clinic; less autonomy between sessions.

• Limited continuous support at home without a complementary pelvic floor trainer.

Connected Biofeedback Trainers

Connected pelvic floor trainers like the Emy Trainer measure muscle activity via sensors and transmit data to an app.

A connected pelvic floor trainer operates on biofeedback: your voluntary pelvic floor contraction moves a cursor, avatar, or game on the screen, making the exercise tangible, fun, and more motivating.

Learn more about how a connected pelvic floor trainer works

Key Features

• Measure muscle activity in real time.

• Offer exercises as games to train muscle contraction and relaxation.

• Track progress with charts, scores, and session comparisons.

Advantages

• Engaging approach, easier to use daily (just a few minutes per day).

• Active muscle strengthening: you learn to contract and relax your pelvic floor, improving muscle control in everyday life (coughing, lifting, sports).

All the benefits of connected trainers

Limitations

• Often more expensive than traditional trainers.

• Require a smartphone and some comfort with apps.

Electrostimulation Trainers (pelvic floor electrostimulator)

Electrostimulation pelvic floor trainers connect to a pelvic floor electrostimulator. They are equipped with electrodes and deliver a low-intensity electric current in the pelvic floor muscles.

This electrical stimulation triggers a reflex muscle contraction without any voluntary effort from you.

Typical Use

• Often recommended for certain types of incontinence or in cases of very weak or insensitive pelvic floor muscles.

• The therapy consists of training sessions lasting about thirty minutes, with intensity gradually adjusted by your healthcare professional or according to medical prescription.

Benefits and Limitations

• They induce muscle contractions when there is a significant lack of sensation or difficulty locating the pelvic floor.

• They don’t replace active strengthening exercises; for lasting results, it’s essential to learn how to contract actively alongside any pelvic floor electrostimulation.

Vaginal and Anal Trainers

The choice between a vaginal or anal pelvic floor trainer depends on:

• the type of symptom (urinary leakage, fecal leakage, constipation, pain);

• your anatomy and comfort;

• medical advice or the recommendation of a specialized physiotherapist.

Vaginal trainers are the most commonly used for female pelvic floor training. Anal trainers are typically used for constipation, fecal incontinence, anorectal pain, or specific rehabilitation needs.

In all cases, the device should be designed to minimize discomfort, be easy to insert, stay securely in place during exercises, and be simple to clean.

Clinic vs. At-Home Training: Which Approach?

Pelvic floor training in a clinic remains the foundation, especially after childbirth, surgery, or when symptoms are significant. Your healthcare professional will:

• conduct an assessment and diagnosis (strength, endurance, tone, pain, coordination);

• explain proper positioning, the feeling of a correct contraction, and common mistakes to avoid;

• choose the method: manual therapy, wired pelvic floor trainer, electrostimulation, or exercises without equipment.

Connected pelvic floor trainers and certain electrostimulation devices then allow you to continue therapy at home and, most importantly, maintain your results over time.

The key benefit is consistency: just a few minutes of training each day over several weeks can truly transform your functional outcomes (less leakage, better muscle control, less daily discomfort).

Choosing Criteria and Comparisons of Smart Pelvic Floor Trainers

Medical Certification and Clinical Evidence

Before using a pelvic floor trainer, especially if it wasn’t prescribed by your doctor, it’s crucial to verify that the device is a genuine certified medical device (medical CE marking, appropriate classification, clinical documentation).

A non-certified “wellness” device doesn’t offer the same guarantees of safety, biocompatibility, or performance. Choose:

• a certified pelvic floor trainer with a clear description of the medical class, the type of control performed, and its traceability.

• clinical studies conducted by hospitals (some trainers base their effectiveness on studies carried out internally by the manufacturer. Often, the effectiveness is solely based on user testimonials without any real protocol or clinical validation behind the products).

• recommendations from healthcare professionals (pelvic floor physiotherapists, midwives, gynecologists).

The Emy Trainer pelvic floor trainer is, for example, a reliable solution. Its effectiveness is supported by an external clinical study conducted with Strasbourg University Hospitals and through collaboration with pelvic floor specialists, making it a trusted solution used and recommended by over 5,000 healthcare professionals. 

• 98% of participants in the clinical study reported a quality of life improvement after 3 months.

• 91% of participants also noticed a reduction in urinary symptoms after 3 months.

Learn more about the Emy Trainer medical device

Technologies, features, and usage

The features offered by different pelvic floor trainers greatly influence the user experience:

• Biofeedback: real-time visualization of contraction levels, presented as games or graphs.

• Sensors: surfaces that detect contractions and determine the device’s sensitivity.

• Programs and methods: protocols and programs tailored to various issues (leakage, postpartum, overall strengthening, prevention), usually just a few minutes per day.

• Intensity/difficulty levels: standard for all users or progressive and adaptive, allowing training to evolve over months (as offered by Emy Trainer).

• Motivation: engaging interface, mini-games, progress tracking, reminders, personalized goals.

Emy Trainer stands out by combining ultra-precise biofeedback technology with adaptive exercise programs, enabling personalized and effective progress for every woman with an appropriate level of challenge.

Thanks to a fun app and high-sensitivity sensors covering the entire surface of the trainer, it ensures ongoing motivation for comprehensive long-term pelvic floor strengthening.

Learn more about Emy Trainer

Comfort, size, material, and feel

Comfort is essential because it determines long-term adherence. :

• soft medical-grade silicone that feels pleasant to the touch;

• a shape tailored to your body, with a diameter that’s neither too small (slippery, hard to feel) nor too large (uncomfortable, painful);

• a clearly marked insertion area and a base for easy handling;

• no sharp edges, annoying cables or antennas, or irritating materials.

An uncomfortable pelvic floor trainer will quickly be abandoned, even if its technology is advanced. Conversely, a trainer designed to minimize discomfort, easy to insert and remove encourages regular use and therefore better results.

The Emy Trainer pelvic floor trainer stands out as an excellent choice thanks to its optimal ergonomics, unique shape, and design that make daily training comfortable.

It’s actually the shortest trainer on the market (8.3 cm insertable length), suitable for all body types. Its softness is unique thanks to the Soft Touch Silicone, which protects your intimacy and makes insertion easier for immediate comfort, helping you feel at ease and supported from the very first use.

Cost, coverage, and value for money

The price of a pelvic floor trainer varies depending on:

• technology (manual, smart, electrostimulation);

• service level (app, monitoring, updates);

• build quality (materials, European manufacturing or not);

• warranty and after-sales service.

Consider the price in relation to guarantees, manufacturing quality, and support. Low-cost trainers can lack quality, pose hygiene risks, or be ineffective.

Choose a rechargeable device for long-term use, with at least a 5-year warranty, and available through multiple channels.

Fizimed focuses on European manufacturing (in France and Portugal) for impeccable traceability of its devices and provides dedicated customer and professional support with a physiotherapist.

Don’t hesitate to ask for medical advice or your physiotherapist’s, midwife’s, or gynecologist’s opinion on the matter.

Learn more

Spotlight on the Emy Trainer pelvic floor trainer

Unique features and how it works

Emy Trainer is a smart pelvic floor trainer made of medical-grade silicone, designed in France and manufactured in Portugal.

It’s equipped with sensors across its entire surface to precisely measure pelvic floor muscle activity throughout the area in contact with the trainer.

Connected via Bluetooth to a mobile app, it offers:

• over 32 mini-games based on medical protocols;

• several themed programs (postpartum recovery, urinary leakage, prevention, overall strengthening);

• automatic difficulty adjustment based on your progress;

• progress tracking with graphs, scores, and session history.

The trainer is inserted into the vagina, then used Just a few minutes per training session. A protective and carrying case is provided, making it easy to store the device and recharge it between uses for long-lasting use.

Effectiveness, results, and everyday use

Emy Trainer’s effectiveness is based on an approach of active and progressive muscle strengthening: you contract your pelvic floor muscles to advance a game or reach a visual goal. This method makes pelvic floor training more fun and engaging, which helps reduce dropout after just a few weeks.

With regular use (several short sessions per week), improvements in symptoms (fewer leaks, increased muscle tone, enhanced intimate sensations, and greater confidence) can be seen within a few weeks.

The clinical study conducted on Emy Trainer and numerous user testimonials highlight particular benefits for:

• mums after childbirth who want to regain control over their pelvic floor;

• women experiencing stress urinary incontinence or mild prolapse;

• patients who have already started pelvic floor training with a healthcare professional and want to continue their progress at home;

• those aiming to prevent muscle tone loss (for example, at menopause onset) or urinary leaks over time.

Learn more about the Emy solution

Support and professional recommendations

The Emy Trainer medical device fits into a comprehensive pelvic floor training approach:

• the app provides information on the pelvic floor, correct contraction techniques, and recommended frequency of use;

• a coach and physiotherapist are available to listen and support you;

• expert-created resources to help you learn more about female intimate health.

Many healthcare professionals use and recommend Emy to their patients as part of a structured care plan: in-clinic sessions for assessment and technique correction, complemented by regular at-home sessions with the smart pelvic floor trainer Emy to maintain long-term benefits.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the right pelvic floor trainer?

The choice depends on your situation, symptoms, and goals:

• After childbirth, a pelvic floor recovery program with a healthcare professional is often recommended as the first step;

• For moderate leaks, feelings of reduced muscle tone, or pelvic floor-related constipation, a biofeedback pelvic floor trainer like Emy Trainer can be a valuable option;

• In cases of complex conditions or significant pain, it’s essential to get a medical opinion before starting training with a pelvic floor trainer.

Always check :

• medical certification, clinical studies or evaluations;

• the material, shape, product description, and maintenance;

• ease of inserting and removing the pelvic floor trainer;

• availability of responsive customer service and a clear warranty.

What’s the difference between a manual pelvic floor trainer, a smart pelvic floor trainer, and a pelvic floor electrical stimulator?

• Manual trainer / in-clinic device: used by a physiotherapist or midwife for assessment, tactile work, and precise guidance of contractions; excellent for learning the correct technique.

• Smart pelvic floor trainer (biofeedback): measures voluntary contractions and translates them into games or graphs. Ideal for strengthening independently and tracking progress over time.

• Pelvic floor electrical stimulator: sends electrical stimulation through the device to trigger passive contractions. Useful in specific cases but often needs to be combined with active exercises for lasting results.

How to use a pelvic floor trainer in practice?

Generally speaking (except in special cases and based on medical advice):

1. Carefully read the instructions and device description.

2. Gently insert the pelvic floor trainer into the vagina (or anus depending on the model), following depth markers and using a compatible lubricant if needed.

3. Start in a comfortable position (lying down, semi-seated), then possibly progress to standing.

4. Follow the program recommended by your healthcare professional or app: contractions of a few seconds, rest periods, sets, and intensity adjustments.

5. Begin with short training sessions (a few minutes) and gradually increase, ensuring you don’t push through any unusual pain or discomfort.

If you have questions, doubts about technique, or experience pain, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare professional.

When should you seek medical advice?

It’s important to consult a healthcare professional before or during the use of a pelvic floor trainer if:

• leakage, pain, or symptoms are recent, severe, or worsening;

• you have complex medical history (surgery, advanced prolapse, neurological disease, endometriosis, etc.);

• you experience significant pain, burning sensation, or any unusual discomfort during use;

• you’re unsure about the appropriateness of a pelvic floor electrical stimulator or its compatibility with pregnancy, an intrauterine device, etc.

A specialized physiotherapist, midwife, or gynecologist can confirm the suitability of the pelvic floor trainer, tailor the method, answer your questions, and guide you to the best solution (biofeedback, manual therapy, electrical stimulation, etc.).

In summary, there are different approaches and types of pelvic floor trainers. The best choice depends on your personal situation, goals, motivation, and the support you have. In some cases, they may be reimbursed.

A certified, comfortable, easy-to-use pelvic floor trainer integrated into a comprehensive project Therapeutic support (clinic + home) remains the key to lasting improvement in your pelvic floor health.

The Emy device offers excellent sensitivity, enabling highly accurate measurements of muscle contractions, reducing false positives and allowing exercises to be tailored to each individual for faster and more reliable results.

Source

• Biofeedback and pelvic floor exercises for the rehabilitation of urinary stress incontinence, Buket Aksac, Semih Aki, Ayse Karan, Onay Yalcin, Mete Isikoglu, Nurten Eskiyurt, July 2003, Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation 56(1):23-27.
• Pelvic Floor Muscle Rehabilitation Using Biofeedback, Diane Kaschak Newman, July 2014, Urologic Nursing 34(4):193-202.
• Prospective evaluation of the connected biofeedback EMY Kegel trainer in the management of stress urinary incontinence, Floriane Jochum, Olivier Garbin, Julien Godet, Mathilde Ragueneau, Chantal Meyer, Sylvie Billecocq, Lise Lecointre, Chérif Akladios, Aline Host, February 2022, Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction 51(2):102280.
• Pelvic Floor Muscle Assessment: The PERFECT Scheme, J Laycock ∙ D Jerwood, December 2001, Physiotherapy 87(12):631-642.