Do Fitness Infomercials Really Work?

With all the fitness infomercial hype telling you what to buy this holiday season, promising you tight toned arms, abs, and thighs, it is hard to know what to buy and you often wonder if these products do what they claim. Do those fitness products really live up to their claims? Healthy Lifestyle Expert Danette May reveals her take on some of the current fitness fads.

I want to discuss four of the top fitness products that you see coming through the airways and let you know whether they are a winning gift of health for you and your loved ones this holiday season.

1. Shake Weight: The shake weight is currently the number one selling fitness product. For only $19.99 and 5 minutes a day, it claims you will receive tight, toned arms all while having fun! The shake weight works by shaking the 2.5 pound (girl version) side to side, causing a pulsing, side to side movement. Spending 5 minutes shaking this weight, yes, you will feel a burn, but from a personal training standpoint, I believe that you will get more bang for your buck by spending 5 minutes per day with heavier dumbbells lifting your biceps and triceps instead of shaking a 2.5 pound weight in one constant motion. www.shakeweight.com

2. Slendertone: The slendertone is a belt you put around your waist that sends electromagnetic muscle stimulation to you abdominals causing muscular contraction. For $119-$150 (prices vary) and 20 minutes a day, this product claims to widdle your waistline and give you the flat, toned abs you've dreamed about. This product could be a good addition if you are already slim and wanted to supplement your cardio, nutrition, and abdominal work outs. If you are over weight, this product will not do what it claims. You will not get flat abs if you are over weight using this product. You must incorporate a clean diet and daily movement practices first, to receive the abs of your dreams. www.theflexbelt.com

3. Air climber: The air climber is basically a mini stepper for your home. It uses air bellows that allows you to step up and down in comfort. For $79- 119, it will tone up your thighs and buns and can give you up to a 500 calorie burn in one hour. This is fine product if you have decent balance and you like to remain in one spot while working out. It mimics the up and down movement of stomping, but gives you an upbeat trainer to work out with via video. If you lack balance and like to vary up your work out, a total body circuit training fitness video may suit you better. www.theairclimber.com

4. Ab Coaster (or similar product): The ab coaster is one of the most expensive leading fitness pieces on infomercial. Ranging around $199, it claims to target multiple abdominal muscles at one time. If you feel you have the space in your home and the money, then this is a great addition to your workouts. From a training standpoint, I like to use this piece as a supplement in my training. If you do not have the space, nor the dollars to lay down on this piece there are plenty of abdominal exercises you can do using your own body weight that will get you similar results. www. unitycart.com/abcoaster2/cart/newcart3.asp

Word to the wise. If you want to see tight toned arms, flat, ripped abs, and slender thighs and glutes, then what you put in your mouth is 80% of your success to achieve the body of your dreams.

Yours in health,

Danette May