Do Electric Ab Stimulators Really Work?

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.

---

How to Build a Bigger and Better Chest

Creating a larger more powerful chest is difficult but if... Read More

Lower Body Exercises For Beginning Bodybuilders

The lower body contains some of your biggest muscles which... Read More

Muscle and Fitness -- The Second Key To Successfully Achieving Your Fitness Goals

Lets discuss Muscle and Fitness -- The Second Key To... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Bent-Knee Sit-Up

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Celebrity Personal Trainers

Personal Trainer to the Stars!!Celebrity Personal Trainers!!Who are these amazing... Read More

Muscle Gain Visualization Tips

Visualization can play an important part in gaining weight and... Read More

Building Muscle Mass With A Power Cycle

Building muscle mass with a power cycle. Desperate for pounds... Read More

Glucosamine Review and Potential Benefits

Something interesting happened as my triceps workouts continued in their... Read More

The Skinny on Muscle Imbalances - Restoring Order As A Means Of Eliminating Back Pain

There are many causes of back pain. Injury, illness, herniated... Read More

The Ultimate Hard Body Exercise

The Front Squat:As you may have already discovered, the squat... Read More

Muscle Building Training Tips For Beginners

(*) Proper bodybuilding exercises technique.First steps in muscle building training... Read More

Are Prohormones A Safe Alternative To Anabolic Steroids?

Steroid prohormones such as androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) have become... Read More

Know Your Muscle Building Exercises - The Back

Every bodybuilder and weight trainer will have his or her... Read More

Shoulder Exercises For Beginning Bodybuilders

The main shoulder muscles that concern bodybuilders are the deltoids... Read More

Know All about Power Push Ups

Push ups are the most convenient way to build up... Read More

3 Biggest Benefits of Strength Training

Strength training is exercise that uses resistance to strengthen and... Read More

Personal Training: 3 Keys to Training Clients in Their Homes

When considering your options as a personal trainer, one of... Read More

Gaining Muscle Mass

This article will discuss how to gain weight naturally muscle... Read More

The MYTH of Gaining Muscle Without Fat!

Many of you have expressed concerns about gaining too much... Read More

4 Secrets to A Flat Stomach

Do you want a flat stomach? I don't know a... Read More

The Secret Of The Perfect Program!

Another critical factor to be aware of, is the efficient... Read More

Dorian Yates Secret: What Lean People Are Doing To Get That Way

A consensus has arisen within the bodybuilding world over the... Read More

The Importance Of Sets In Your Muscle Building Program

In an earlier article we looked at how repetitions contribute... Read More

Maximum Muscle Development with Chaos Training

Chaos is the scientific study of orderly disorder. It offers... Read More

Deep Muscle Soreness And Body-Shock Fatigue

In my experience there are two distinct types of muscular... Read More

The Dangerous Secret of Extreme Muscle Growth

You've decided to join a gym, but you're not sure... Read More

Real Muscle Real Fast!

Adding muscle seems to be a mystery to most, yet... Read More

Six Minute Abs

Six minutes out of your day. All you need is... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Back Squat

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

How To Get A Flat, Toned Stomach

One of the most common fitness questions this time of... Read More

How to Weight Train for Maximum Muscle Gain

Weight training involves the use of equipment that enables variable... Read More

But I Dont Want Muscles! Part 1: What Muscle is, and how to Build (or Avoid) It

One of the common comments I hear from my female... Read More

Bodybuilding Sins That Cause Back Pain and Missed Workouts: Part 2

Welcome to article number 2 in our series "Bodybuilding Sins... Read More