Stomach weight loss belts are marketed as quick and easy methods to tone the abs. The manufacturers claim that the electronic magnetic stimulation technology will help you achieve weight loss. Since you are exposing your body to electrical energy, you should first speak to your doctor before using the product.
Types
Some brand examples of stomach weight loss belts include the Contour Ab Belt, the Ab Energizer, Fast Abs, Slendertone and AbTronic. The products are sold through infomercials and online websites.
Features
Weight loss belts use electronic magnetic stimulation, and the manufacturers claim that exposure to this causes the muscles in the stomach to contract without exercise, according to the Wall Street Journal. However, if you have a large amount of fat around the mid-section, the electrical signals will not be able to penetrate the fat to stimulate the muscles.
Use
To use the belt, you secure it around your waist. The electrodes attached to the belt are to lie flat against your skin. You are advised by the instructions to wear the belt continuously for 10 minutes to an hour. You can set the intensity level for the weight loss belt. As electronic transmissions are sent through the skin, you are likely to feel a tingling sensation.
Benefits
In a study funded by the distributor of Slendertone and printed in a 2005 edition of the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 41 participants wore the weight loss belt for 20 to 40 minutes for five days per week over the course of two months. The results found that participants experienced improved abdominal strength and endurance and lost 1.4 inches from the abdominal area.
Considerations
In May 2002, the Federal Trade Commission charged makers of abdominal weight loss belts with making unsubstantiated claims about their products. The FTC charged that the companies should never have claimed that weight loss and washboard abs could be obtained without exercise. The companies were also charged with defaulting on their money-back guarantee policies.
References
- "Journal of Sports Science and Medicine": The Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Training on Abdominal Strength, Endurance and Selected Anthropometric Measures
- Federal Trade Commission: FTC Charges Three Top-selling Electronic Abdominal Exercise Belts with Making False Claims
- "Wall Street Journal": Cinching Your Belt Without a Crunch
Member Comments