As the abdominal toning belt infomercial demonstrates the secret to rock-hard abs and to losing abdominal fat, many of us will stop cold in what we’re are doing, just to listen.
How wonderful indeed, if such belt could spare us tedious sit ups or crunches? Although, we still must watch our daily calorie intake in food for losing abdominal fat, but perhaps as suggested, by wearing an abdominal toning belt we don’t anymore have to work-out has hard.
And if you are like me, not really loving AB crunches or try to avoid them because you’re suffering back pain while doing them, this might come as an easy solution to get the tight firm ABS promised here. But we are critical people! So let’s learn more about the abdominal toning belt and see if it is at all effective for weight loss.
What Is an Abdominal Belt?
An abdominal belt is a special electronic device that you can wear around your waist at all times of the day. Manufacturers of abdominal belts claim that this device will help develop your abdominal muscles without the need for exercise. The belt electrically stimulates the abdominal muscles while you sit or relax. You can also exercise while wearing the belt to enhance the development of your abdominal muscles.
How Does an Abdominal Belt Work?
Abdominal weight loss belts are equipped with small pads that the user attaches to the bare skin. The pads contain electrodes that send a series of electrical pulses to different areas on your stomach. The pulses stimulate the muscles, allowing them to contract and relax and thus simulates the effects of exercise.
Requires FDA Clearance
Abdominal belts that use electrical muscle stimulation are classified as medical devices, according to the FDA or Food and Drug Administration. The sale of abdominal belts to consumers must be pre-approved. Currently, only the Slendertone Flex abdominal EMS belt has FDA clearance for toning the abdominal muscles.
Results of Research Studies of the Abdominal Toning Belt
A small study conducted at the University of Wisconsin measured the effects of abdominal EMS belts on test subjects. The test subjects wore the belts for 20 to 40 minutes every day, five days a week. At the end of the study, the test subjects reported losing an average of 1.38 inches around their waist. Abdominal strength increased by an average of 58%. The control group reported no significant changes in these measurements. Neither group experienced significant weight loss.
Note: The study was funded by a former distributor of Slendertone Flex belts.
Are Abdominal Belts Effective?
By KC Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is from: Slendertone Unisex System Abs Toning Belt (Sports)
I know the way these products are advertised make you think that they will make a fat person thin, but they don’t. It gave good ab definition, but left the layer of fat until i worked out. It did speed up the process giving better and quicker ab results than I normally do when I only work out after a good winter hibernation. Before I had a little roll by my lower abs that I could never get rid off and now it’s gone. It didn’t happen overnight, been using it regularly for the past 2 months. Really saw results after 3-4 weeks, but started working out daily after the second week of owning.
The above quote given by a customer who bought The Abdominal Toning Belt by Slendertone is one review that summons all of the other reviews about the belt up as I was reading through them.
- The Abdominal Toning Belt doesn’t directly aid in weight loss
- Users feel their abdominal muscles working
- Users find their ABS are tighter and get more defined with ongoing usage of the belt
- The study above supports these claims: Abdominal strength increased by an average of 58%
- Although, the user won’t lose abdominal fat as a result for using the device, the user might get inspired to eat right and begin a traditional exercise routine and setting a goal for weight loss.
The last point, in my opinion, is the best reason for trying the toning belt. Although, not for losing abdominal fat. Along side with any exercise program, to lose fat we need to eat less caloric food. Yet sometimes, it only takes a little helping device and good results, such as feeling your core muscles again as your ABS tighten and grow stronger, to make us want to do more.
Note: Abdominal belt manufacturers claim that aerobic exercise can benefit belt wearers. The stretching and constant movement during aerobic exercise along with electric impulses from the belt is said to stimulate the abdominal muscles more intensely. The Federal Trade Commission, however, says abdominal belts have questionable value to consumers. The FDA also warns that these devices have caused minor and serious injuries including pain, irritation, bruises and burns.
More importantly, we like to know if you have ever used the belt to tighten your abdominal muscles and if so how did using it make you feel?
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