Elitone Pelvic Floor Exerciser review

How easy is the Elitone Pelvic Floor Exerciser to set up and use?

In short, you unbox, charge, click the cable on, peel off the GelPad liner, position the gel pad on the area, connect to the controller, click to start and select your intensity levels. It only takes a minute.

In full, the Elitone was relatively simple to set up. It came with a user manual, but I actually found scanning the QR code which linked to the ‘Getting Started with Elitone’ page easier, as I was able to follow the videos and use the picture guides. The latter also included coloured photographs of both the set up and operation, which allowed me to feel confident that I had done it correctly.

Does the Elitone Pelvic Floor Exerciser battery need to be charged before use?

Yes. Inside the box you'll find a controller, GelPads, cable, charging cable, storage case, user manual, power supply and belt clip. I had to charge the battery before using, which was done by simply lifting a small blue flap on the controller and inserting the USB charging cable before then connecting and plugging it into the power supply. The device flashed green when it was charging and remained a solid green once it was fully charged. Since the device couldn’t be used while on charge, I left it overnight, so it was ready to use the next day (but an hour to charge on other occasions seemed to be enough).

How do you use the Elitone Pelvic Floor Exerciser?

To start a session, you click the GelPad cable onto the pad and peel the liner away before positioning it. The GelPads have a sticky surface and, while it can be a little tricky to get the positioning right on the first attempt, they peel away from the skin with ease and can be repositioned as necessary.

Once comfortable, you connect the GelPad cable to the controller and press any button to start the session. All you then have to do is simply press the plus button to increase or the minus button to decrease the intensity. The device has 35 intensity levels, but it can be tricky to understand what level you are on, as it is represented by a blue light that only changes with every 5 stages, so the first light represents levels 0-4 and the second light 5-9 etc.

Once you have selected your level, the device stimulates the muscles for 6 seconds showing an orange light, followed by a 6 second rest where the light then turns off. At this point, you can then clip the device onto your trousers and after just 20 minutes, the session would finish with some short bursts to signal it was complete.

To finish, you simply peel off the pad, place it back on the liner and into the storage bag and place the device and cables into the handy storage box.

How does the Elitone Pelvic Floor Exerciser feel during use?

It’s recommended that you set the device to a ‘tolerable’ level, so while you are trying to reach your maximum intensity level, I would never describe it as painful. For anyone who has used a Tens machine, the sensation was very similar. I also found that sitting during the session could feel more intense as the GelPads would have more direct contact with the skin.

The only time I ever found it uncomfortable was when I was wearing it to try and do more strenuous tasks such as getting my toddler changed or tidying up round the house.

Is the Elitone Pelvic Floor Exerciser discreet to wear?

For me, the best thing about the device was how quiet it was. I frequently wore it when I sat next to my partner on the sofa and he had no idea it was running; even on the highest intensity levels, it was completely silent. The device itself can fit in the palm of your hand, and is easy to wear under clothing.

You could easily forget you’re wearing it, I even answered the door to the postman who had no idea it was there! It would also be easy to wear it when nursing your child or even in a work meeting, but I personally didn’t enjoy wearing it on the move, as I found it could unclip or pause due to there being no lock function.

I loved that I didn’t have to wear this internally and I could switch it on and let it work without having to think about doing anything. For that reason, it is really good for anyone who is a bit unsure on how to effectively do Kegel exercises or for tired mums like myself, who never have the energy to conduct my own pelvic floor workout.

How does the electronic stimulation feel?

The stimulation can make your skin feel a little numb, but you can control the intensity level. It’s never painful, but for the best results, you want to try and get it to a tolerable level.

How long is each session?

Each Elitone pelvic floor session is 20 minutes and it’s recommended to do them 4-5 times a week. I found doing it every other day manageable, but it was definitely easier when I planned it to be part of my routine rather than finding time spontaneously.

How long does the battery last on the Elitone Pelvic Floor Exerciser?

The battery life is a little frustrating and I definitely got caught out a couple of times. That said, once you learn that it needs charging after every 2 sessions, you soon get used to it. Also, the short battery life means the device can be smaller, which is a benefit that I wouldn’t want to change.

How easy is the Elitone Pelvic Floor Exerciser device to clean and maintain?

It’s easy to wipe the Elitone device if necessary and you can carefully wipe the plain side of the GelPads, however the GelPads themselves are very sticky and will easily pick up dust, so it’s important to put them back on the liner when not in use. It’s recommended to replace the GelPads every 3 sessions, but I found that mine still had a lot of stickiness beyond this.

How effective was the Elitone Pelvic Floor Exerciser in improving postpartum bladder weakness?

I started using the Elitone after returning to regular exercise roughly a year postpartum. Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend a class without wearing a pad and even though I would limit my water intake during exercise, I would often have to dash out for an emergency toilet trip. Now, while I can’t say that the Elitone is 100% responsible for my progress, I do believe it has certainly played a huge part. Within just a few weeks, I was able to exercise without leaks and now, having completed 6 weeks, I don’t even need a tactical toilet trip before a class and can exercise with confidence.

Is the Elitone Pelvic Floor Exerciser worth the money?

Having the confidence and freedom to now exercise in public is pretty priceless, however at £399 this is an expensive device to buy and the continued cost of replacing the GelPads (£24.99 for 5) so frequently is costly. I struggle to see why it is so expensive, especially as it seems so similar to a Tens machine, and the packaging or device aren't particularly premium.

That said, for those struggling with incontinence and who have perhaps exhausted other options, I think this device will undoubtedly help and since the results are relatively quick and effective, it’s worth it on that basis.

Where can I buy the Elitone Pelvic Floor Exerciser?

It is available from Pharmacy2U, QVC, Currys and Elitone.

MadeForMums verdict

Overall, the Elitone Pelvic Floor Exerciser has a premium price tag, but you can’t deny the results. It’s suitable for anyone who has a weak pelvic floor system and is incredibly convenient to use thanks to working externally rather than internally.

I would happily recommend it to friends and family who were struggling with their bladder control, however I would stress that in order to obtain results, you have to commit to using the device frequently and be motivated to build it into your daily routine.