Do the electric pads for abs actually work?

[Chiyo666]

Due to a back i jury I really struggle to do any ab work, however I need to fix my anterior tilt in my pelvis (which will massively improve my back!) to do this I need to strengthen my lower abs.

Has anyone used these? Did they work? Or Aibu and naive?

No they don’t. They don’t burn day off and that hides your stomach muscles. If they worked everyone would use them.

*fat, the don’t burn fat.

I don’t need to burn fat, just strengthen the muscle.

I think they do.
I have various health issues which lead to me not being able to exercise at all for a long time.
I'm not overweight, have no fat to burn. But was unable to support myself with basic Pilates and yoga poses (which I had previously done for years)
After finding out this type of technology was developed in spinal units on quadriplegic patients to keep the muscles "firing" I thought I'd give it a go.
It's really helped me get back the core muscle that I can now maintain with proper exercise as well

I remember watching a documentary about this kind of thing... no they don't work, they just rattle you around. try reading reviews and see what they say.

Hm, have used and they are ok - as pp have said, they don’t ‘burn’ fat or offer anything but passive exercise, on the other hand I think they do lose a few inches if used regularly.

I struggle to trust reviews as a lot of them are written by people to help sell the product. I’d rather ask here to get a real life opinion.

@Ducksarsehead that’s really helpful Thankyou! I have pretty much zero muscle function in my lower back and lower abs which is what keeps the pelvis in place! I’m hoping if they are pulsed with the electricity they will strengthen?

My old trainer said that they do work - but only by making the exercise more intense while you are doing it. So you have to activate your abs while the electrical toner thing is on - sitting in front of the telly having your stomach vibrate won't work.

They will stimulate the muscle but with no resistance I can't imagine they'd be able to strengthen muscle.

It depends on which ones you buy

I use them as an aid to training (before training) and am using them now to rehab a knee injury

Really they are an aid to exercising rather than a substitute to exercising

They will not lose fat but will tone muscle so you can train more effectively and thus lose fat

Yes they do work. It takes a few weeks to show. But I’m not sure they’ll work the correct muscles for you...the one I have works across the middle over tummy button and across that area, not so much lower. There is one which works tummy and a small area on the back...I’ll see if I can find it to link.
But yes, tone muscle, but as you know, won’t reduce fat layer

I can't imagine they'd be able to strengthen muscle.

They do strengthen the muscle through electronically stimulated contractions

If you use them for too long you can induce muscle cramps - I left one on for 3 hours and got cramps

Best to do 30 mins ans work up to 1-2 hours then exercise then stretch

The ab and back stimulator
www.stressnomore.co.uk/beurer-em39-abdominal-and-back-muscle-stimulation-belt-12100.html

The cheaper ones are a bit pants

Slendertone are good

If you're on a budget you can buy a 2nd hand Rio slim gym off ebay for not very much but have to lie down and fiddle around with straps and gel

The Slim Gym is much cheaper as you dont have to buy expensive replacement pads, just gel. You can use aloe vera gel or, if on a budget, hair gel as a conductor

www.stressnomore.co.uk/beurer-em39-abdominal-and-back-muscle-stimulation-belt-12100.html

I'd not seen one of those

Slendertone belts actually have 3 pads one central and 2 side pads and from the photo look to work further round the sides of the waist

slendertone abs belts come in a variety of models

www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR10.TRC1.A0.H0.Xslendertone+abs.TRS0&_nkw=slendertone+abs&_sacat=0

For fuller figured women you can buy extensions from their online shop

Rio Slim Gyms here

www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_osacat=0&_odkw=slendertone+abs&_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.Xrio+slim+gym.TRS0&_nkw=rio+slim+gym&_sacat=0

I would avoid the Pro models as the pads dont work as well

Slendertones are the best IMO but are expensive to use all the time as the replacement pads are pricey

www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf18/K180688.pdf

Please note that the more expensive Slendertone belts work via a controller, a little rechargable device that also works for their arm toners.

The controllers cost about £60

The cheaper ones use AAA batteries that you slot into a little box on the front of the belt

hmmm some of the slim gyms have different pads

The ones that work best are the circular pads, the smaller pads dont stick to the body well

so if you look at the photos carefully

good pads
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rio-Slim-Gym-Pro-Lean-Machine-Body-Toning-System-Abs-Machine/233538594633?hash=item365ffc2749:g:RksAAOSwoQlee1Eh

not so good pads
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RIO-SLIM-GYM-PRO-12-VGC/184211060322?hash=item2ae3d5b662:g:9KsAAOSwRsJebW-w

these are just random listings i picked for the clear photos of the pads

My old trainer said that they do work - but only by making the exercise more intense while you are doing it. So you have to activate your abs while the electrical toner thing is on - sitting in front of the telly having your stomach vibrate won't work.

That's not my experience

It would be quite difficult or even impossible to exercise during use

I wonder whether you might have misheard or misunderstood your trainer?

I usually relax and listen to an audiobook if using a slim gym or watch a movie or do housework or even go out to the shops (those were the days) with a slendertone belt on

Then exercise afterwards :)

Thanks all! My friend says she has some that I can borrow to see. She’s only used them once so can’t tell me if they work or not