Ceragem vs Bodyfriend, This Time Competing in 'Pelvic Muscle Strengthening'

New Product Launches in Consecutive Months
Emphasizing 'Medical Devices' and 'High Versatility'

In the domestic massage chair market, the two leading companies, Ceragem and Bodyfriend, have entered into competition by launching pelvic muscle strengthening devices. While both products specialize in pelvic muscles, their strategies differ. Ceragem emphasizes its product as a medical device for treating urinary incontinence, whereas Bodyfriend highlights its 'high versatility' that allows massage regardless of body size.

Ceragem's 'Innerfit Meditech'
Photo by Ceragem

According to the massage chair industry on the 2nd, Ceragem released the 'Innerfit Meditech' on the 16th of last month. Following that, Bodyfriend introduced 'Karna' on the 29th of last month. Ceragem's Innerfit Meditech has been certified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for two purposes: treatment of urinary incontinence and relief of muscle pain. It features automatic training that alternately stimulates contraction and relaxation of the pelvic muscles and sphincter through repetitive low-frequency waves, thereby strengthening the pelvic muscles. It delivers heat up to 42 degrees Celsius and vibration energy to reduce muscle pain.

Additional functions such as maximum temperature and low-frequency output limits were introduced considering sensitivity by area. It offers five programs including an integrated treatment mode, 99 levels of low-frequency intensity adjustment, and five vibration mode patterns to be used according to the user's condition and purpose.

Karna is the first Bodyfriend product to apply the 'pelvic floor muscle vibration wave new technology.' It uses a massage module installed in the seating area to directly deliver vibrations to the user's pelvic floor muscles for stimulation. Along with vibration, airbags in the seat expand to provide a sensation of relaxation to the deep muscles, including the perineal area.

Considering the anatomical structures and characteristics of men and women, there are separate Women's and Men's modes. The massage range has been expanded by adding the female healing massage program 'Queen's Relax' and the senior-specialized massage program 'Grand Senior.' It was designed through in-house testing to provide stable massage for users ranging from a minimum height of 155 cm to a maximum of 185 cm.

The reason both companies have consecutively launched pelvic muscle strengthening devices is due to increasing demand centered on middle-aged and older adults going through menopause and women after childbirth. A Ceragem official stated, “According to major domestic academic societies, the prevalence of urinary incontinence among Korean women over their 30s is known to be over 40%. Since many patients tend to avoid active treatment despite symptoms due to the nature of the disease, it is expected to greatly help improve accessibility for patients.”

A Bodyfriend representative also said, “Pelvic floor muscle care is essential, especially for middle-aged and older adults,” adding, “It will be particularly helpful for health management in the age group entering menopause.”