Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 0 Comments
Have a question about your routine or anything fitness-related? Send it Raphael's way at askraphael@ediets.com.
Raphael,
I am curious about what you think of the advertised ab belts that tighten your tummy like you've done an hour of ab exercises?
I am a fit 54 year old. I exercise an average of five days a week. I work out on my elliptical machine for 30 minutes at least. Four days a week, I work out with hand weights and do tapes on alternate days.
In the summer, I bike 4 -5 days a week for a least an hour -- sometimes more. I eat mostly the Mediterranean diet. I look pretty good, but would still like to be about 10 lbs. less and get that tight tummy I had before kids & menopause.
I do all the exercises you post already. Do these belts work at all in addition to an exercise routine or is it just another snake oil? Thanks -- Lori
Lori,
Your workout sounds great and so does your nutrition plan. Well done! As far as ab belts, I’ll try to contain my emotions and provide the facts.
The ab belt manufacturers claim that users can get a tighter waist with virtually no effort at all. One simply places the ab belt around their waist and in just minutes the belt does all the work necessary to tighten and tone the waist. The manufacturer's claim is that electrical stimulation causes the muscles to contract, which then provides the same results achieved from consistent and challenging abdominal exercises.
Have these ab belt manufacturers uncovered the magical weight-loss and toning product? Your snake oil analogy pretty much sums it up.
A 2001 study at the University of Wisconsin commissioned by ACE (The American Council On Exercise) on ab belts provided conclusive results. According to the results of the study, there were “no significant changes in weight, body-fat percentage, strength or overall appearance. In order for the belts to work, they would have to be cranked up to a level beyond what most people can tolerate.”
In reality for the belt to work, it would require a lot more power, a lot more time and most likely an intensity level that would cause pain. In fact, the electrical stimulation would hurt a lot more than exercise and most people would probably not be able to tolerate it -- or want to. Bottom line: The ab belts will do nothing to change your appearance.
Getting those last 10 pounds off will involve a lowering of calories or increase in activity -- the old fashioned way. Strength training, cardio and proper nutrition that places you in a calorie deficit is still the strategy that works. As far as ab belts and every other late-night infomercial product that promises a quick fix, ignore them.
Best of luck with your health and fitness goals, and thanks for submitting your question!
Have a fitness question you want answered? Email Raphael at askraphael@ediets.com and you could have your question picked! And if you missed a previous column, see the archive here.
Make NOW your time to do something about your weight. eDiets can help make weight loss a little easier. Let our nutritionists and fitness pros guide you! Click here to find out more and save big!
Raphael,
I am curious about what you think of the advertised ab belts that tighten your tummy like you've done an hour of ab exercises?
I am a fit 54 year old. I exercise an average of five days a week. I work out on my elliptical machine for 30 minutes at least. Four days a week, I work out with hand weights and do tapes on alternate days.
In the summer, I bike 4 -5 days a week for a least an hour -- sometimes more. I eat mostly the Mediterranean diet. I look pretty good, but would still like to be about 10 lbs. less and get that tight tummy I had before kids & menopause.
I do all the exercises you post already. Do these belts work at all in addition to an exercise routine or is it just another snake oil? Thanks -- Lori
Lori,
Your workout sounds great and so does your nutrition plan. Well done! As far as ab belts, I’ll try to contain my emotions and provide the facts.
The ab belt manufacturers claim that users can get a tighter waist with virtually no effort at all. One simply places the ab belt around their waist and in just minutes the belt does all the work necessary to tighten and tone the waist. The manufacturer's claim is that electrical stimulation causes the muscles to contract, which then provides the same results achieved from consistent and challenging abdominal exercises.
Have these ab belt manufacturers uncovered the magical weight-loss and toning product? Your snake oil analogy pretty much sums it up.
A 2001 study at the University of Wisconsin commissioned by ACE (The American Council On Exercise) on ab belts provided conclusive results. According to the results of the study, there were “no significant changes in weight, body-fat percentage, strength or overall appearance. In order for the belts to work, they would have to be cranked up to a level beyond what most people can tolerate.”
In reality for the belt to work, it would require a lot more power, a lot more time and most likely an intensity level that would cause pain. In fact, the electrical stimulation would hurt a lot more than exercise and most people would probably not be able to tolerate it -- or want to. Bottom line: The ab belts will do nothing to change your appearance.
Getting those last 10 pounds off will involve a lowering of calories or increase in activity -- the old fashioned way. Strength training, cardio and proper nutrition that places you in a calorie deficit is still the strategy that works. As far as ab belts and every other late-night infomercial product that promises a quick fix, ignore them.
Best of luck with your health and fitness goals, and thanks for submitting your question!
Have a fitness question you want answered? Email Raphael at askraphael@ediets.com and you could have your question picked! And if you missed a previous column, see the archive here.
Make NOW your time to do something about your weight. eDiets can help make weight loss a little easier. Let our nutritionists and fitness pros guide you! Click here to find out more and save big!
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