If you are interested in tightening and strengthening your abdominal area, you are not alone. The diet and exercise industries are overflowing with information and products geared toward helping you achieve a toned tummy. It is difficult to know what truly helps. For example, you may wonder if vibrating belts really do cause fat loss around your midsection.
Types of Belts
The world of abdominal belts consists of three basic types: vibrating belts, sauna belts and belts that use electrical stimulation. Belts that vibrate are generally less expensive, working on the theory that vibrations are breaking up fat. Sauna belts claim that heating your abdominal area, causing it to sweat, breaks down fat. Belts using electrical stimulation send electric currents to your abdominal muscles which causes them to contract and relax. No scientific data backs the claims of belts using only vibrations or heat produce fat-loss.
EMS Belts
Ab belts using electrical muscle stimulation, or EMS, are sometimes confused with vibrating belts. These belts have electrodes in them that sit on your skin and send electrical pulses to your abdominal muscles, causing a vibrating sensation. Certain EMS belts are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and are considered medical grade equipment. Studies published by the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine showed users increased abdominal strength and significantly reduced waist measurements. Body fat, however, remained unchanged.
Problems
Electrical signals are unable to penetrate through deep fat layers, making even effective belts useless if you are very overweight or obese. Studies tested participants with body mass indexes of 30 or less. Also, the Food and Drug Administration has received complaints concerning burns, bruising and skin irritation from using ab belts. These products can also interfere with defibrillators or pacemakers. If you use a heart device, do not use an abdominal belt.
Beyond Belts
While certain belts apparently can reduce your waist circumference and improve your abdominal strength, there are other tried and true methods available to slim your core region. Diet and exercise. In a study published by the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, participants that ate a higher protein diet while alternating cardiovascular exercise with strength training were able to reduce abdominal fat by 26 percent after 12 weeks. Diet and exercise may not be as easy, but it truly works.
References
- AbBelts.com: Products
- The Wall Street Journal; "Cinching Your Belt Without a Crunch"; Laura Johannes; November 2009
- Journal of Sports Science and Medicine: The Effects of Neuromuscular Electical Stimulation Training"; John P. Porcari, et al; March 2005
- PubMed.gov; "Increased Dietary Protein and Combined High Intensity Aerobic and Resistance Exercise"; Arciero PJ, et al; August 2006
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