Having well-toned pelvic floor muscles improve a woman’s orgasmic response, prevents incontinence and helps during and after giving birth. Easy and fun to use, Smartballs are a must for all women. Find out how to improve your PC muscles by reading Pelvic Floor Health.
What are Smartballs?
Smartballs were developed in Germany, as Fun Factory worked with a German midwife who specialised in incontinence and developed programmes for women facing incontinence issues.
Smartballs are based on the ancient Chinese tradition of Ben Wah balls (often made from Jade) – a weighted ball that women wore to strengthen the Pubococcygeus (PC) muscles and increase the sexual pleasure of women and their male partners.
Inside a Smartball, whether it is a single or double set, is a heavy weighted ball. It is the weight of the balls resting on the PC muscles from the inside that stimulates the muscles to contract, giving a woman that inner work out.
Smartballs are made from medical grade materials, are completely sealed, hygienic and easy to clean. Washing in a mild soap and hot water is all that is required. DO NOT use any chemicals to clean your balls. At most use a solution of water and white vinegar for additional cleaning and rinse the vinegar off thoroughly. Smartballs should last you for several years.
There are 3 sizes of Smartballs available. Fun Factory, the company who makes Smartballs, originally made the Smartballs Original, a double set of balls weighing 71 grams. These are a suitable weight and size for many women with moderate pelvic floor tone.
Customer feedback then prompted Fun Factory to develop the Smartball Uno, a single weighted ball. Some women found the double set to challenging to hold inside (both balls are inserted into the vagina in a similar fashion to a tampon). The Uno 42 grams is a great introductory model, however for an ideal muscle tone, women should move from the single ball (Uno) to the double ball (Original 71 grams or Duo 85 grams) as soon as possible.
Smartballs are worn when you are upright, sitting, standing, walking and exercising are all fine as the balls rest upon the muscles. If you are in a horizontal position, the balls will not rest on the muscles and therefore be ineffective. They are not designed as a sex toy nor are they likely to give a woman and orgasm during use – although they will make your orgasms stronger as the muscles become stronger. An orgasm is, after all, a delicious and powerful muscles spasm or series of spasms.
The key to a successful recovery of pelvic floor strength and prevention of incontinence is the regular use of the Smartballs. Initially wear them every day for up to a month, then for ongoing maintenance wear them one day a fortnight to keep the muscles in shape. If you lapse, just do another concentrated burst and the PC’s will tone up.
Some women find that through jogging or other exercise they get some natural vibration from the balls and the more you move with the Smartballs inserted, the more the muscles will work. However many of us are more sedentary and simply wearing the Smartballs will give you that inner workout. Do not be concerned if you do not really feel the balls, most women have little sensation above the vaginal opening. Equally if you initially feel internal pressure from the balls, like a weight bearing down, this will ease as your muscle strength improves.
Read through the instructions carefully below. We recommend reading through customer reviews as they have all sorts of tips to help you get the most out of your Smartballs, this can help you decide whether to use Smartballs Uno, Original, or Duo.
Which one is right for me?
- Smartballs Uno are suitable for women who have very compromised PC muscles, or who find the double set of Smartballs to difficult to hold in, they are a good starting point for getting your muscles in shape. We also recommend these for women who have recently given birth or if you have a prolapsed uterus.
- Smartballs Original are the ideal weight and many women will only use these over the years, if you started with the Uno Balls these are the next step in getting your P.C. muscles in peak shape.
- Smartballs Duo are for the woman who already has good pelvic floor tone and is up for the challenge of these heavier balls. We would recommend these for women who do regular pilates or yoga or who have already got in shape with the Smartballs Original.
- The key is regular use. Once you put the Smartballs inside there is no extra effort required.
- Ideally you will be wearing the balls inside the vagina for long periods of time, so we recommend coating your Smartballs with a good quality water-based lubricant, such as Probe, to ensure they move comfortably around inside. Also put a little on the string where it sits inside the body to ensure there is no friction.
- Choose a time to test drive your Smartballs when you have some time to yourself and are intending to be at home for at least a couple of hours.
- Either sit our stand so that you can insert your Smart Balls into the vagina, and breath deeply to ensure your vaginal muscles relax.
- Slip the balls inside the vagina. Apply more lube if you need to. Some women find they tense up. Gently massaging the clitoris, with Purr Clitoral Arousal Gel, can make it easier to insert your Smartballs if you are finding it difficult. Make sure that both the balls are inserted and that the string sits outside the body for easy retrieval.
- Once your Smartballs are safely inside, just go about your usual routine. Initially you may feel a slight bearing down internally, however as your PC muscles become more toned this sensation will go away.
- Wear the balls for a few hours every day for a week or so, building up the amount of time you have them inside. Your goal is to wear them all day every day or every second day for between two weeks and a month. You should notice the difference and if your partner is a guy, he will notice the improved squeeze on his penis.
- With a little improved muscle tone, you will be able to wear your balls to work, while exercising, around home…anywhere you please.
- Once you have done that initial work out, you can wear your Smartballs for a day once per fortnight or more if required, for maintenance.
- To remove the Smartballs: relax your vaginal muscles and gently pull both removal strings. You may need to give a gentle push to help removal. If you have any difficulty or find your muscles tense up do not keep pulling the string. Take a few moments to relax, take some deep breaths and try again. Squatting or standing with a leg up on a chair may aid you to gently push the Smartballs out.
We recommend using a water-based lubricant, or silicone-compatible lubricant such as LubeXXX with your Smartballs. Many silicone lubricants are not compatible and can destroy the fabric of your toy. Damage of this kind is not covered by the guarantee. Fun Factory Smartballs come with a 90 day guarantee against manufacturing faults.
You and SmartBalls
Your SmartBalls are made from long-lasting medical grade materials and will last you for years. We recommend you use them regularly across the whole of your lifetime, whether you are young or older. For many women they have been life-changing, offering relief and freedom. Many women can avoid surgery by using Smartballs.


We have a passion for bringing sex toys and sex information to you in a positive, fun and affirming environment with a commitment to promote positive attitudes toward healthy sexuality. 
I can’t insert the Smart Ball Uno. I think I may have some scar tissue after an episiotomy, although intercourse has never been a problem. Any suggestions? Are there smaller versions available?
Mumof2
Hi Barbara,
Given that you’re okay with intercourse, it may not the size of the Uno causing issues, but rather the angle or the positioning (or possibly the shape). If you’ve had no success using lubricant with your Uno, and trying to insert it from a relaxed sitting position, or with one leg raised, then it’s possible that a different pelvic floor strengthener will work better for you.
Our other recommended choice is NatraTone, which you can read more about here.
Best of luck!
Dee
I have the duo but one keeps popping out should I persist with this or go to uno
Hi Nana,
Is it the Duo you have, or the Original? In either case, it may be better to reduce by one. The Duo is the heaviest of the three SmartBall options available – and it does sound like your pelvic floor is not yet strong enough to exercise with it. If you’re using the Duo, I recommend getting the Originals. If you’re using the Original Smartballs, then switch to the Uno to build up your strength, then come back to the Originals later.
Cheers,
Dee
If i use smartballs then at a later stage dedide to stop usung them,will i that affect me? At what age is it suitable to use them? Can a woman wiyh no kids, who just want to tighten up use? them
Hi Keisha,
The only effect stopping using Smartballs will have is the same effect stopping any exercise will have – those muscles will slowly relax and lose the strength that they have gained. They are suitable to use at any age once you’ve reached puberty. You’re certainly not required to have children in order to use them! We recommend them for all women – because we all deserve a strong and healthy pelvic floor.
Cheers,
Dee
I am having difficulties removing my Smartballs. The string has also slide in side. I have pushed and pushed, jumped up and down. I even tried using my finger to see if I could feel the string and could not.. What do I do? will they work their way down? Need Help.. I am getting worried.. this will be my second day. I can not feel them inside in anyway..
Hi Kay,
I hope you were able to successfully remove your Smartballs – and that you went to see a health practitioner to get assistance if you were unable to get them out yourself! It sounds like the stress of being unable to find the string caused you to tense up – thus making it even more challenging for you to remove them.
Generally the string hangs down quite well, and stays in place externally. Also, being unable to feel the ball or the string at all is quite unusual. The weight of the ball means you’re able to feel it move as you do, just a little. Thus it is possible that they had slid out entirely, when you weren’t aware of it, leaving you stressed out about something that wasn’t there at all.
Regardless, I hope you haven’t been put off Smartballs entirely.
Dee
Hi, I’m considering buying the smartballs to assist with strengthening my pelvic floow. Can you go to the toilet with the balls in or are they removed at that time?
Hi Coastiegirl,
You are indeed able to go to the toilet with your Smartballs in. It does require using your muscles differently to be able to urinate, or to void your bowels.
Some people prefer to remove their balls before the latter – and that’s their choice. However if you do so be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before putting your Smartballs back in (and don’t forgot to put some lube on to make reinsertion smoother).
Hope that helps!
I have just purchased the smartball duo and have worn them the past two days but haven’t been able to feel anything at all-should I be actively tightening the muscles while I am wearing them? i have heard other women say that they can feel them moving and I am wondering if I am doing something wrong or haven’t inserted them in far enough as I don’t feel them at all.