The "Ab"
Solute Truth
The Truth About Electronic Ab Belts
CBS
Related Stories
Meet Dr.Mike Rosen
Feb 15, 2002 3:10 pm US/Eastern
(CBS)-(NEW YORK)-You seen all the commercials for the
new ab belts. The ones you wrap around your waist and
"shock" you into shape. But do they really
deliver?
CBS 2's Dr. Mike Rosen reports on the "ab"
solute truth.
The commercials say, "We guarantee that you'll
lose 2 inches off your mid-section or your money back..."
The ads say just 10 minutes wearing this type of belt
is the equivalent of doing up to 600 sit-ups. There
are several brands of these devices that promise to
trim inches off your mid-section, tone and tighten arms,
abs, and legs.
So why would you want to do this when exercise can
do the same thing? Ralph Hernandez ordered the Abtronic
after watching an infomercial on TV. Three times a week,
he straps it on, sets the intensity level and lies back
while, he says, he slims down without breaking a sweat,
"I used it on my quads and my calves and it has
worked," Hernandez says.
What is this absolutely fabulous technique that takes
the work out of the work out? Those who make products
like the Abtronic claim little electric shocks contract
the muscles. In essence, providing the equivalent of
a sit-up. But is that true?
Electronic muscle stimulation or ems has been around
for years. Dr. Gotlin, Director of Orthopedic and Sports
Rehabilitation at Beth Israel Hospital says, "There
is a scientific body of knowledge that supports these
devices."
Doctors prescribe ems, for example, to help rehabilitate
muscles that have been injured and immobilized. But
according to Dr. Gotlin these ab stimulators won’t
help you lose inches, they won't provide the benefits
of exercise, "Indeed it sounds like a wonderful
device, but it isn't."
Dr. Gotlin is not alone in his thinking. Researchers
from the University of Wisconsin put several ems machines
to the test. A study volunteer says, “It's an
intense feeling, like your muscles are just, I don't
know, going crazy"
But in the end, it was more pain than gain. Karen Palmer,
the author of the study says, “After they spent
45 minutes three times a week for eight weeks, they
are the same as when they started."
Those results didn't shock triathlete Steve Sokol who
holds the world's record for doing more than 52,000
consecutive sit-ups. Sokol says that while an already
toned and fit person could see minimal effects with
the machines, the commercials grossly exaggerate the
benefits, “Not a lot of people have done 600 sit
ups or crunches in a 10 minute period, I have, it's
not the same thing."
Not only that, because electricity is literally running
through your body, there's the possibility of electrical
burns.
Dr. Gotlin warns, "These devices can irritate
the skin, they can burn the skin...below the surface
of the skin there are intestines and organs that have
that same current going through them, we don't know
the effects of that"
Sorry to disappoint you, but Dr. Sokol says there's
really only one way to get great abs, “I don't
think you can get a lean defined look from a machine
I think a lean defined look is a result of good nutrition,
good aerobic exercise and overall muscle strengthening."
We should also point out that the FDA has issued an
alert against the use of the ab belts as a means of
weight reduction. Doctors are also advising pregnant
woman and people with heart conditions not to use these
devices.
CBS 2 contacted several makers of these devices but
our calls went unreturned.
(© MMII Viacom Internet Services Inc. All Rights
Reserved.)
First off we at Toneatronic are in agreement with a
lot of what they say here. We believe the proliferation
of cheap AB BELTS and cheap muscle stimulators like
those from IGIA sold in Wal Marts and on TV infomercial
has damaged the credible reputation of what legitimate
well made EMS units can do. AB belts have some serious
design flaws that customers should be aware of that
are not in the EMS units we sell.
AB BELTS all use a foil like material fabric that also
uses a conductive gel.
When the gel dries up the foil like material fabric
can burn your skin if left on too long.
AB BELTS all use watch batteries as a power source
that can not contract muscle strongly or deeply enough
to work you muscles properly.
The frequency setting on Ab Belts are such that they
will not contract your muscles properly.
AB BELTS can only work on your abs . Our units can
do you whole body.
Electricity is literally running through your body,
there's the possibility of electrical burns. Not with
Toneatronic units that use rubber pads and water to
conduct the signal through you body.
Toneatronic units are backed by a 5 year warranty.
They aren't.
Toneatronic units plug in the wall and are 20 times
stronger than AB BELTS.
We agree and state in all our literature that advising
pregnant woman and people with heart conditions not
to use these devices.
We have lots of studies and information that supports
EMS building muscle and creating a lean body for you.
Our Founder Allan Fine has been using EMS on his body
since 1978. These machines do work.
The FDA has appoved EMS devices despite thier statement
to the contrary. Our units work the same way . If you
need confirmation just email us.
We at Toneatronic try to educate our customers on
the proper use of EMS combined with exercise and proper
eating can have the phenomenal results you are looking
for. We hope this clarification has been helpful to
our clients and potential clients.
WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ANY COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS
OR QUESTION YOU MAY HAVE |
