Home > Fitness Training > Equipment > Abdominal Stimulators

by Nick Nilsson

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.

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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.

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.

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Related Pages

• Abdominal fitness tests
• Abdominal Training Programs

Old Comments

Commenting is closed on this page, though you can read some previous comments below which may answer some of your questions.

• Everyone has an opinion. It is important to note that the comments here are just "opinions." None have backed their claims up with scientific studies. I suggest that you have nothing to lose except a few dollars. If it works ... fabulous. If it doesn't ... you have learned a valuable lesson. :-) (from Wendy, Jan 2013)
• Come on bruv what do u know about Ems. (from ma, Sept 2011)
• These EMS are not worth your time. According to the FDA, "Using these devices alone will not give you "six-pack" abs.". Although they do say that these devices "may eventually result in muscles that are strengthened and toned to some extent", they go on to say they "will not create a major change in your appearance without the addition of diet and regular exercise". So why not just follow the tried and proven methods of exercise and diet! (ed, April 2011).
•  I wish you would do a little research before misinforming your readers. Do you know anything about the research of EMS units? They have been used for Olympic training since 1972. (from John, April 2011).