I put the toy down on my desk, perplexed. And that’s when it started vibrating around beside my keyboard.
That's because once you turn the Smart Bead on, it gives you several seconds to insert it (use lube!) before beginning your pelvic floor workout. So, I restarted the toy, popped it into place and plopped down on my couch.
The Smart Bead’s training system includes five levels of intensity, with one being the easiest and five the hardest. The Smart Bead starts everyone off at Level 3, and uses "smart" technology to gauge the user’s strength and fitness. It then records this information to decide which level to begin with the next time around. The idea is that you’ll progress to the highest level as you get stronger over time.
How that played out for me is that the first time I used the Smart Bead, it flashed three times when I turned it on, letting me know it was beginning a routine at Level 3. The next time I used it, it flashed twice, indicating Level 2. So, apparently, my vagina is a flabby do-nothing that needs serious work.
Apparently, my vagina is a flabby do-nothing that needs serious work.
Once inserted, the Smart Bead emits three short vibrations to signal that the workout is about to begin.The workout itself involves sets of several vibrations in succession, with short rests in between. The idea is that you are to contract your Kegel muscles every time the Smart Bead vibrates and hold them until the vibration stops. Then you can rest until the vibration starts again. At Level 3, the Smart Bead provided four sets of seven squeezes, with the length of vibration increasing slightly with each set. When the workout’s over, the LUNA Smart Bead emits three short vibrations again and then shuts itself off.
Now, squeezing this thing sounds easy, but I actually found it quite challenging, which makes sense if my muscles are actually as weak as the Smart Bead thinks they are. Maintaining the contractions required quite a bit of concentration, especially when I had to hold them for longer. I also felt kind of tired and please with myself after performing these exercises, as if I'd just done a killer set of crunches. Which is saying something, considering I could complete the whole routing while sitting stock-still on my couch.
What I Love About the LELO LUNA Smart Bead
I work out a lot, so I was skeptical about adding another “workout” into my routine. But, what I like about the Smart Bead isn’t so much that it’s a good Kegel workout (which I apparently really need), but that it takes brainless, boring Kegels and makes them a bit of a game. One I can do from my couch. While watching Netflix. And possibly also drinking wine. That isn’t typically how I work out, but apparently it’s just what me and my Kegels were needing. I'd also like to add more such forms of exercise to my regular routine.
On the practical side, I like the fact that the LUNA Smart Bead is super easy to insert. I’ve tried Kegel balls but I preferred this toy’s sleek shape; trying to shove a set of slippery balls up there is no peach. The Smart Bead’s retrieval string makes removal quick and easy too.
What I Didn’t Love So Much
The LELO LUNA Smart Bead is simple to operate and fun to use, but it’s pushing it to call it a sex toy. The toy’s instructions (OK, OK, I read them, but only for you!) say that you can hold the toy’s start button down to create a consistent vibration setting “for your personal pleasure.” I gave it a go, but I have to say, unless you’re either very new to vibrators or very sensitive to vibration, you probably won’t get off on this. Plus, with only an AAA battery for power, I'm guessing you'd drain the juice pretty quickly using this as a vibe. Use the Smart Bead for training and get yourself a real vibrator, like LELO’s SIRI 2 or LILY 2 if it's pleasure you're looking for.
The Smart Bead is also supposed to provide some biofeedback for your squeezing by vibrating harder when you squeeze harder. Now, as we've already established, my vagina is weak and pathetic, but even when I squeezed this toy with my fist, I couldn't notice an appreciable difference in vibration intensity.
The Verdict
I put off testing this toy because I didn’t think I’d like it that much. In fact, I really love the LELO Smart Bead overall. It has made Kegel training simple and kinda fun. Actually, it’s made Kegel training something that I actually bother to do. As a result, I'm giving it four hearts out of five.
Oh, and if you know of any other workouts I can do from my couch, give me a shout.