Ab Belts Reviewed

Are ab toning belts safe to use?

Posted under Using an ab toning belt

Electronic muscle stimulators (EMS) have been used by medical professionals for years, particularly in muscle physio/rehab situations.  Both medical stimulators and ab toning belts employ the same methods but to obtain different results.  Electrical muscle stimulators (EMS) are used in both cases to achieve the desired results.

How do EMS devices work my muscles?

The electrical impulses sent through the nerves to the muscles from the gel pads attached to electronic stimulators are designed to stop muscles from ‘wasting away’ – known as atrophying – in situations where a patient’s limb must be immobilized.  A common example of this would be a broken limb where the doctor would use electronic stimulants to help keep the muscle active.

Electronic abdominal toning belts work in the same way, and with continued use will not just keep the muscles active but also help tone and build the muscles.  By employing theses methods, toning belts cause the muscles to continually expand and contract.  This is what causes the muscles to become more toned, just as they would do during normal abdominal exercises.

Whilst toning belts may work the muscles at a faster rate than conventional exercises do, this does not carry any risk and is perfectly safe.

Although it can be said that all toning belts are safe, the only fully FDA approved toning belt available is the Flex belt.  Even though an FDA approval cannot say how well a toning belt works with regards to toning muscles, it does mean that it has been proved safe as an electrical appliance.  Whilst no problems have been reported with any other brands of toning belts, some consumers find this approval reassuring and it is therefore worth noting.

Whichever toning belt you buy it is recommended that you read the instructions as they may not be suitable for people with some medical conditions.  This might sound obvious, but some users often decide to ignore instructions and use the product without properly consulting them.

It is particularly important to read the instructions supplied with toning belts before use as they often can’t be used by people with certain medical conditions, such as those with a pace maker or pregnant women.

Whilst abdominal toning belts can be used by the majority of people, it is always worth checking this out (as with any product) before you decide to use a toning belt.  Although toning belts are safe, some users have found that after using their toning belt they have experience some localised redness.  However, this is completely safe and is usually caused by the skin reacting to the gels pads you place over the muscle groups you wish to work, particularly amongst those with sensitive skin.  In any case this redness will fade very rapidly after use of the ab belt.

As the increasing wide use by major league sports stars and general popularity of these ab belts show, they do not pose any threat to your health or wellbeing.  They are a safe and easy way to achieve toned abs without the time and effort needed to achieve the results through abdominal exercises such as sit-ups and crunches.

Due to the medical background to the electrical ab muscle stimulators used in abdominal toning belts, manufacturers were able to create a safe product that is proven to achieve results whilst posing no risk to the user.