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Have you bought a penis pump but aren't sure where to start? Or maybe you already own a pump but you're not getting the most from it? If you want to make sure you're getting the most from your pump, we're here to help.
In short, the best penis-pumping routine starts with 10-minute sessions, increasing by 1 minute weekly, with alternating rest days. Use 5-7hg of pressure and monitor your comfort. Expect temporary size increases and improved erection quality, and, with consistency, you may achieve potential long-term gains in both girth and length.
While that's a quick answer - it's useful to know more about how to best use your pump and the results you can expect. With a lot of penis-pumping experience - we're perfectly placed to tell you everything you need to know.
At a Glance:
- Preparation is Key: Trim pubic hair for a better seal, use water-based lube, and ensure a snug fit before starting.
- Start Slowly: Begin with 10-minute sessions and gradually increase by 1 minute each week to avoid discomfort or tissue damage.
- Balance Pumping with Rest: Alternate pumping and rest days to let your penis recover and prevent overuse.
- Monitor Pressure Levels: Start at 5hg and adjust to a maximum of 7hg for effective results without risking injury.
- Consistency Matters: Establish a routine and track your progress for better results, using additional methods like traction devices if desired.
Before Starting: How to Effectively Use a Penis Pump
It's understandable if you feel you want to jump straight into your new penis enlargement pump routine - but it's important to take a beat and make sure you understand exactly how penis pumps should be used before you start.
While there's no substitute for carefully following the manufacturer's guidelines, getting started with a penis pump typically follows these five steps:
Step 1: Tidy your pubic hair
For the best results, it's essential to have a clean surface to work with. If your pubic hair is long or thick, it may interfere with the pump's ability to create a proper seal against your skin.
Consider trimming or shaving the area around the base of your penis for a tighter, more effective seal. This small step can make a big difference in the overall performance of the pump.
Step 2: Apply a water-based lube to the sleeve of the pump
Using a lubricant not only makes it easier for you to slide into the pump but also improves the airtight seal needed for the vacuum to work properly.
Opt for a water-based lubricant, especially if your pump has a silicone sleeve at the base, as it’s compatible with most materials and won’t cause any damage
Make sure to apply it generously around the base to ensure maximum comfort and suction.
Step 3: Place your penis inside the sleeve
Gently slide your penis into the cylinder of the pump. It should feel snug but not overly tight, allowing some room for your erection to expand as you pump.
Make sure the base of the cylinder is firmly pressed against your body to create a strong seal. If you notice air leaking, adjust the position slightly to improve suction.
Step 4: Use the vacuum pump to start removing air from the cylinder
Begin pumping slowly and steadily to remove air from the cylinder, creating a vacuum around your penis. You should start to feel increased blood flow as your erection begins to form.
Avoid rushing this step, as over-pumping can lead to discomfort or bruising. A gradual increase in pressure is the key to a safe and effective experience. Pay attention to how your body feels, and stop pumping if you experience any pain.
Step 5: Put a constriction ring onto your penis
Once you’ve achieved your desired erection, carefully slide a constriction ring down your penis shaft to the base of your penis. The ring helps to trap the blood that’s been drawn into the penis, allowing you to hold the erection for longer.
Make sure to choose a ring that fits snugly but comfortably—too tight, and it may cause discomfort, too loose, and it won’t effectively maintain your erection. It’s generally recommended to remove the ring after 30 minutes to avoid restricting blood flow for too long.
Creating an Effective Routine: Recommended Set for Beginners
The best penis pump routine for you will be one that effectively guides you through certain areas. They include:
- Pumping time (and increasing this pumping time)
- How often you should pump
- How much negative pressure will be effective
- Using water in your sessions
- Creating a pumping schedule habit
Let's take a look at each in more detail:
How Long Should You Pump For?
When first using a penis pump, you should start with sessions of 10 minutes. This gives your body time to get used to the sensations - and get you used to using your pump.
Beyond this first week, you should add a minute every week. So, for example:
- Week 1 - pump for 10 minutes
- Week 2 - pump for 11 minutes
- Week 3 - pump for 12 minutes
By adding a minute each week, you're constantly adding to the time under negative pressure - but not rushing things in a way that might cause discomfort or tissue damage.
How Often Should You Pump?
A day of pumping followed by a rest day is a good practice to be in to begin with.
So, if you start on a Monday, your week will look like this:
DAY |
SCHEDULE |
Monday |
Pumping |
Tuesday |
Rest |
Wednesday |
Pumping |
Thursday |
Rest |
Friday |
Pumping |
Saturday |
Rest |
Sunday |
Pumping |
Then, the following week, you can flip this around - so start with a Monday rest day, followed by a Tuesday pumping session - and so on. Again, this resting schedule gives your penis a chance to recover and means you're not overdoing the time under pressure.
How Much Pressure Should You Use?
The ideal level of negative pressure will depend on your unique biology, skin sensitivity, and other factors - but a good baseline for most guys is between 5hg-7hg.
This level of pressure seems to be very effective at encouraging blood flow (essential if you're pumping to beat erectile dysfunction) - but isn't excessive to the point that it will cause edema (fluid swelling) in most guys.
Start with 5hg and see how your penis responds. If you don't feel like you're getting completely hard - up it to 6hg and check again - moving up to 7hg if you feel you need that extra power.
Adding Water to Your Routine
Some penis pumps use air pressure, while others use water pressure. What many people don't realize is that manual pumps (those with no electrical components) can often be used with water - especially if you're in the tub.
Many users say that a manual pump filled with water offers better gains - likely due to the fact greater pressure can be used thanks to the comfort of the surrounding water.
IMPORTANT: You must not, under any circumstances, try to use water in an electrical air pump. At best, you'll immediately ruin your pump.
Creating a Pumping Schedule Habit
Creating a habit around your pumping means you're far less likely to forget, run out of time in your day, or just lose motivation.
A good idea here is to 'stack' your habit along with an existing habit. For instance, when you're immediately out of the shower, have your pump ready for your session. Then again, maybe your coffee machine takes 10 minutes to fill your pot - a perfect time to return to the bedroom and pump.
Stacking habits like this means you're far less likely to forget or find yourself skipping days. Consistency is key.
What Results Can You Expect?
Now you've got an idea of what a pumping routine might look like, you're probably wondering what gains will come as a result of your efforts.
It's important to start by saying that the limited medical research into permanent gains is very limited.
According to existing studies, there's no guarantee of permanent growth - so it's important to be realistic about what you might achieve. To be blunt, those adverts you might have seen that claim you'll get a penis the size of your forearm overnight just aren't true.
Despite this, there's a lot of evidence found online that talks about impressive gains - not least in pumping communities on Reddit (NSFW link to one such community here) and other forum platforms. Some members talk about adding an inch or more as a result of a good pumping routine - especially when twinned with massaging your penis or using a traction device.
Alongside possible length and girth gains, virtually everyone who engages in pumping comes away with positive results - including:
- Impressive temporary gains in size and erection strength
- Increased confidence in using a pump effectively
- A solid understanding of the pressures and times that work for them
- Positive partner feedback about the quality of their erection
In short, it's important to be realistic - but, at the same time, everyone's unique - so just because there's no evidence pumping has added to someone else's junk, doesn't mean that you won't see positive results yourself.
Why The Right Penis Pump is Important
You can establish a routine with any penis pump system, but some models offer features that make tracking your progress much easier and more effective.
Tracking the pressure, time, and gains you experience is an essential part of working out what works for you. Some pumps provide valuable tools to help you monitor your progress, while others leave you guessing.
Here's what to look for:
Vacuum Pressure Gauge
One of the most helpful features in a penis pump is a vacuum pressure gauge. As you pump, the pressure inside the cylinder increases, and the gauge allows you to monitor exactly how much pressure you're applying. This helps you determine whether you're comfortable with the current level or if you need to adjust for safety or effectiveness.
Having a pressure gauge is especially important when you’re establishing a routine because it ensures you're applying consistent pressure with each session, which is key to seeing progress over time.
If you're looking to build a reliable routine, opting for a pump with a pressure gauge can make a big difference.
KEEP IN MIND: Most hydro pumps, like Bathmate models, don't come with a pressure gauge because measuring water pressure is more complex. This doesn't mean they're less effective—it just means you might have to rely on alternative ways to measure your progress, such as tracking physical penis size results.
Measuring Gauge
Another useful feature is a built-in measuring gauge. Many high-quality penis pump systems come with a clear vacuum cylinder, allowing you to visibly track your penis’s growth during each session.
Some pumps even have measurement markings along the side, making it easy to check your penis length before and after using the pump.
A measuring gauge provides a reliable way to monitor your progress over time. By recording your starting measurements and regularly checking your results, you'll know if your routine is working. If you see steady improvements, it’s a sign that your method is effective. Equally, if progress stalls or reverses, the gauge gives you valuable feedback that it might be time to tweak your routine.
Tips That Can Improve Your Gains
Despite lots of very satisfied users who report permanent gains from using a penis pump routine, there's no published scientific evidence that shows permanent size increases. Despite this, whether you're hoping for lasting gains or just a more impressive penis temporarily, there are lots of things you can do to improve your results.
They include:
1. Consistency
It's useful to think of penis pumping in the same way you might a gym routine - consistent sessions that fit into your day are always going to be better than pumping (your penis or iron) once a month and thinking you'll see improvements.
We've touched on consistency above - but it's worth repeating. If you want the best chance of seeing results, you'll need to make your pumping efforts a regular habit.
2. Combining pumping with other methods
Penis pumps are just one method of improving your erections and enhancing what you've got. Other methods include traction devices, jelqing, and even less-known methods, such as perineum massaging and Kegel exercises.
Each of these methods works differently. For example, perineum massaging creates arousal - which helps to encourage blood to the penis - whereas traction devices stretch the muscle tissue, forcing it to develop.
It's a good idea to explore other methods and consider how you might incorporate them into your routine for enhanced results.
3. Experimenting with sex toys
You might think that penis pumping is just a routine you have to go through - either to achieve an erection or to enhance your size. The truth is, it's even better if the process is pleasurable - the arousal will almost always help blood surge to your penis and maximize the gains from the pump.
As such, it can be a good idea to explore pumps with built-in masturbation sleeves. Equally, why not explore other sex toys - so you can add a different kind of pleasure to your routine? No one says pumping has to be tedious.
4. Involving a partner
Penis pumping doesn't have to be done solo - there's a lot of pleasure to be had in pumping with a partner.
Whether you involve your partner so that they have a better understanding of what you're doing or trying to achieve - or you decide your pumping could be an exciting part of sex play - it's almost always going to lead to a better experience.
5. Some lifestyle adjustments
Your penis is a complex part of your body - so you might not be surprised to hear that there are lots of little lifestyle adjustments you can make so that it, and your body in general, responds even better to pumping.
This table explains some of the additional adjustments you might want to make to see if you get better gains as a result:
LIFESTYLE CHANGE |
HOW IT MIGHT HELP GAINS |
Consuming more water |
Dehydration causes increased blood pressure - but being properly hydrated can prevent this. Studies show clear links between healthy blood pressure and good erectile health. |
Adding some exercise to each day |
Your heart plays a big part in making sure blood flows as it should to your penis. Adding a light exercise routine to your week can help to increase your pumping efforts. |
Reducing your alcohol intake |
Excessive drinking has proven links to erectile dysfunction - but cutting down a little bit can help with balancing hormone levels and improving blood pressure. |
Reducing or quitting smoking |
Smoking can significantly affect your blood vessels and heart health - both essential parts of erectile quality. Cutting down or quitting can offer almost immediate benefits. |
Improving your eating habits |
Erectile function relies on a healthy blood sugar level, the right hormone balance, and heart health. A healthy eating plan can be a big help in all of these areas. |
Penis Pump Safety Recommendations
When you're starting a penis-pumping routine, safety needs to be your top priority. Ignoring basic precautions can lead to discomfort or injury - derailing any progress. After investing in a pump, you don't want to give up on your goals because of avoidable mistakes.
To keep things safe and effective, make sure you stick to these key safety tips:
1. Consult with your doctor
It might feel a little awkward, but having a conversation with your doctor before starting a penis-pumping routine is crucial.
Pumping isn't suitable for everyone, especially if you have certain medical conditions or are on specific medications.
It's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your health. And remember - your doctor has honestly heard it all when it comes to sexual health, so don't hesitate to ask about whether penis pumping is a good fit for you. A quick consultation can prevent bigger problems down the road.
2. Start slowly
If you decided to get into running, you wouldn't try for the Olympic 100 meters record on day one - and the same applies to pumping. Start with lower pressure, focus on getting the technique right, and gradually build up as your body adapts. Trying to rush progress is a recipe for discomfort or injury, which will only slow you down in the long run.
3. Avoid over pumping
More pressure doesn’t always mean better results. Cranking up the pump too high can lead to edema, which is when fluid builds up under the skin - not exactly what you're aiming for.
Your goal is to increase blood flow - not cause uncomfortable swelling from excessive pressure. Keep things moderate. If you notice any swelling or bruising, that’s a sign you’re over-pumping. The sweet spot is achieving engorgement without inflammation or discomfort.
4. Remember to take breaks
Penis exercise is the same as any other kind of exercise - rest is an absolutely essential factor. Your body needs time to recover between sessions, and that includes the blood vessels and penile tissues you're hoping to grow. Skipping rest days can lead to soreness or even injury, setting you back instead of helping you progress.
5. Listen to your body
Ultimately, your body knows best. As such, If you feel soreness, tenderness, or any bruising, it’s okay to skip a session. Taking an extra rest day won’t erase your progress, but pushing through pain could cause long-term damage.
The Best Penis Pump Routine: A Summary
To get the most out of your penis-pumping routine, start with 10-minute sessions and add 1 minute each week as your body adapts. Alternate between pumping and rest days, using 5-7hg of pressure for safe, effective results.
As is often the case in life, consistency is the key to success - find ways to fit pumping into your daily routine so you're less likely to skip sessions.
While permanent size gains aren't guaranteed, many men report noticeable improvements in erection strength, temporary increases in size, and greater confidence. Stick with it, listen to your body, and tweak the routine as needed to maximize your results.
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