The abdominal electrostimulation belt to build your abs, does it work?

2023-07-18 14:52:58

To build muscle quickly and without sweating (too much), there is an unstoppable solution: the electrostimulation belt. At least, that’s the aim of this type of small device. Are they really effective? How often to use them? Which belt to choose? We take stock.

What is the abdominal electrostimulation belt?

Like any belt, the abdominal electro-stimulation belt is placed around the waist, at the level of the navel. It is equipped with electrodes which must be positioned directly in contact with the skin and which send small electric shocks into the abdominals. The offer is vast and there are dozens and dozens of abdominal belts. Their properties vary to adapt to all profiles and all objectives. Similarly, the number of electrodes is not always the same: some bodybuilding belts have 3 and others 5…

The principle is quite simple: it is reproduce natural movements des musclesusing electric shocks which will cause the contraction of the entire abdominal strap. To reproduce the stimulation felt during sports exercises aimed at the stomach, the intensity of the electric shocks will gradually increase in order to stimulate the abdominal muscles even more.

We tested the Slendertone belt to build abs

The promise of the electrostimulating abdominal belt Slendertone type? Toned abs and a flat stomach in 4 weeks. To be sure, we tested and here is our verdict. The electro-stimulation abdominal belt is effective provided you…

• 1/ Be regular during use. There is no secret, and above all, there is no miracle slimming product. In 1 month, the electro-stimulating abdominal belt can lose up to 5 cm from the waistline, provided you do not use it passively: you must wear the electro-stimulation belt for 30 minutes during a 1-hour sports session (or even while walking). And we repeat the operation 3 times a week.
• 2/ Increase the action of the belt by wearing it during sport. Inevitably, when it’s solid on the inside, it shows on the outside, on what are commonly called “chocolate bars”; we do not ignore the cladding. Doing sports with an electro-stimulating belt, allows us to work 98% of muscle fiber once morest 60% without. And you can even have body aches.
• 3/ Know how to spot when the electrodes need to be changed

Obviously, to obtain rapid and convincing results, you must also be vigilant regarding your lifestyle and favor a balanced diet and the practice of a regular sport.

Is the electro-stimulation belt effective without sport?

Yes, but the results will not be as optimal and fast. If you want to do without sport – which is not recommended – you will still have to show regularity in your use of the electrostimulation belt. To hope to display sculpted abs and a flatter stomach, it is used 5 days out of 7 for 30 minutes. And obviously, no question of devouring a burger in stride. It’s the right one option for the less sporty of us or those with a busy schedule. You can wear a electro-stimulation belt and working on his abs while vacuuming, planting his roses or even at the office. A study by the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, published in the Journal of Sports Medicine, has shown that a 20-minute session with a Slendertone type belt is equivalent to 120 abs and increases the abdominal resistant of 72%.

Is the abdominal belt painful?

In fact, it all depends on where our abdominals are hidden… If we tend to have fat on this part of the body, we will absorb the pain better: suddenly, we can increase the intensity of the stimuli. In fact, the more important our “buoy”, the more it absorbs electroshocks. Conversely, the less fat you have on your stomach, the more electrical stimuli sent by the belt are painful.

If you can double electro-stimulation belt and abs session, yoga or muscle strengthening, it is better nevertheless avoid jogging wearing such a device. Muscle contractions already exist with the jolts of running and this might make the exercise unpleasant.

Finally, the abdominal electro-stimulation belt is not recommended for people suffering fromepilepsyheart problems and pregnant women.

Who is the electrostimulation belt for?

For everyone ! From the sportswoman looking to improve her performance to the one who wants to maintain her tone without having enough time to devote to sport, and of course, men, whatever their profile, abdominal muscle training belts will suit everyone! They make it possible to achieve different objectives: optimization of performance, maintenance of the line, bodybuilding whatever you want, you should achieve it without (too much) trouble. In some cases, this type of belt can also be recommended by a doctor, a physiotherapist or an osteopath because it can help soothe muscle pain or even rehabilitate following an injury or trauma.

Ready to succumb? Know that only your motivation can slow down the effectiveness of this type of device because to obtain results it is imperative:

• be rigorous and carry out your sessions scrupulously.
• adopt a healthy lifestyle
• follow a healthy and balanced diet and avoid multiplying the gap with counterproductive foods (ultra-processed, sweet, junk-food, etc.),
• ideally, a minimum of physical activity should also be incorporated; even more so if you have high goals.

Which abdominal electro-stimulation belt to choose?

Faced with the offer, you can quickly feel overwhelmed. Moreover, not all electrostimulation belts are equal (in terms of effectiveness as much as in terms of price)! The criteria to take into account to make the right choices:

• in-depth muscle targeting (for long-lasting and really effective muscle building)
• several programs offered according to various objectives: ‘warm-up’, ‘training’, ‘classic’, ‘intensive’…

Toning abdominal belt Connect Abs, Slendertone208 €

• How it works ? The belt has 3 hydrogel electrode surfaces to strengthen the 4 abdominal muscles (transertus, rectus, internal and external oblique muscles); it is positioned at waist level. It has a box connected to a dedicated mobile application. You can vary the intensity directly using the box or the application installed on your mobile. The application allows you to have a follow-up of your different sessions, practical for evaluating your regularity! To get results, it is recommended to use the belt for 20-30 minutes a day, 5 times a week.
• The advantages of abdominal belt Slendertone toning? Market leader, Slendertone supports the effectiveness of its belt with numerous clinical studies and patented technology. Not just an accessory for drawing salient muscles, the belt aims to provide more general well-being by also improving posture and tone. After 1 month of use, the first results are there. On the other hand, as soon as you stop regular use of the belt, the results fade quickly. Its big plus compared to previous models? Its connected side, precisely, which makes it work with the application on which we benefit from lots of interesting tools such as monitoring its progress, for example.

Electrostimulation belt Abs8Slendertone, €149

• How it works ? EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation Technology) technology gives this belt the ability to send signals to abdominal muscles and nerves, mimicking the natural process of muscle contraction.
• The advantages of the Abs 8 Slendertone belt? Powerful, ultra light and wireless, the Abs8 belt has something to seduce! It promises to firm abdominal muscles in just 4 weeks and boasts “clinically proven” effectiveness. Another asset to its advantage: its price, more interesting than the Connect Abs, the latest born of the Slendertone belts!

Derived from electrostimulation beltthe Fit 5.0 by Compex€510.32 (works wirelessly)

• How it works ? After installing the electrodes on the abdominal strap (using the drawings in the manual), the machine is turned on, the area you want to work is selected and the appropriate program is chosen (“Sculpt my abs”). The wireless remote control and a interface web specific allow more interaction and better use of the device. The electrodes positioned on the abdominal strap generate intense and repeated contractions to work the muscles in depth. A regular and serious use allows to obtain convincing results. We recommend at least 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks then 1 session per week for maintenance.
• The advantages of the Compex toning abdominal belt? Basically, the Compex belt is more of a supplement intended for assertive athletes in whom it allows them to use other muscles and maximize muscular effort by involving more muscles. However, clinical studies have shown that the Compex belt helps to develop muscle mass. At such a price, the Fit 5.0 is the ultimate electro-stimulation abdominal belt.

Thanks to Julie Ferrez, fitness and well-being coach.

Read also:

• 5 (other) reasons to do abs

• My weekly plan for rock-solid abs

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