Electronic muscle stimulators are the latest craze, the hottest
fad... but you want to know "do they really work!" Right? To
answer that question, let’s start with a little background
information on what this equipment was originally designed for.
Electric ab stimulators were (and still are) used in medical
rehab situations. They are designed to keep muscles from
atrophying (wasting away) in situations where a limb must be
immobilized. For example, if you broke your leg, the doctor
could place an electrode on the muscle and use electricity to
make it contract. This would provide a minimum level of
stimulation, thus keeping the muscle active.
As far as building muscle, such as the ads on TV claim, this is
not backed up by research. The level of electrical stimulation
necessary to build up the abdominal muscles to what you see on
TV would be extremely high, and thus very painful.
Many companies that sell these belts also claim that the belts
help burn fat. In reality, the small muscle contractions
produced by these belts burn about as many calories as the
effort required to take the belt out of the box and put the
batteries in.
If you read the fine print in these ads, you will also notice
that the instructions for use also include a suggested exercise
and nutrition plan. This, without a doubt, would be the true
source of the results people get from this equipment.
But what about people you may know who have tried the belts and
say that they feel something when they use it?
Let’s put it this way... the belt does provide a small level of
stimulation to the abdominal muscles. When a person’s abs are
totally lacking any form of stimulation, any amount of
stimulation has the potential to produce results. It is simply a
matter of something is better than nothing (in this case, not a
whole lot better, though).
A much better solution for working your abdominal muscles
effectively is to do the unglamorous crunch exercise. It may not
send electric shocks into your guts but it will get the job
done. Crunches, even done properly and regularly, won’t burn fat
but they will definitely tighten up your abs.
For detailed instructions on how to do the crunch most
efficiently visit:
http://www.fitstep.com/Library/Exercises/Crunches.htm
Do electric ab stimulators work? In a nutshell, no. These
companies are simply preying upon society’s desire for results
without effort. Don’t be fooled by the hype.
About the author:
Nick Nilsson is Vice President of BetterU, Inc., an online
exercise, fitness, and personal training company. Check out his
latest eBook "The Best Exercises You've Never Heard Of" at
http://www.thebestexercises.com or visit http://www.fitstep.com.
You can contact him at betteru@fitstep.com or subscribe to
BetterU News, his fitness newsletter at betterunews@fitstep.com.
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