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The shaky science of fitness

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Wednesday, May 30, 2007 | 04:04 PM ET

By Peter Hadzipetros

Seems that if you wait around long enough, what's old is new again.

You see it in fashion — flared jeans made a bit of a comeback a few years ago, for instance.

You see it in the news business. Dollar woes: a high dollar's going to kill our economy. Dollar woes: a low dollar's going to kill our economy.

Folks, it happens in the get-fit-quick exercise biz, too. Seems that shaking yourself into fitness is back in style.

Maybe you've seen images of fitness clubs back in the 1960s or scenes from 1950s black-and-white movies — people facing a row of machines, vibrating belts wrapped around their hips. Designed to tone your waist, firm your abs and help get rid of unwanted weight.

All it did was jiggled your fat. I remember being hooked up to one of those things at a gym in Montreal when I was still in my teens and convinced that I was far more overweight than I was.

Now, some companies are aggressively promoting machines that vibrate up to 50 times a second in three directions that will help tone muscle and let you get more out of your workout. There are pricey models designed for the gym and cheaper ones that you can use at home.

NASA's studied the concept. It's keenly interested in ways to prevent muscle atrophy and loss of bone density for astronauts who spend long periods of time in space.

But some researchers are concerned about the long-term effects of exposing yourself to high levels of vibration. At least one is worried that brain damage is possible.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved one device that's marketed as an abdominal toning belt. Slendertone guarantees you'll get "strong, firmer abs in just weeks."

The device is sold as an electrical muscle stimulator. It works like those muscle stimulators a physiotherapist would use to treat you for muscle strains.

The FDA says, "while an EMS device may be able to temporarily strengthen, tone or firm a muscle, no EMS devices have been cleared at this time for weight loss, girth reduction, or for obtaining 'rock hard' abs."

The FDA further notes that based on currently available data, you won't create a major change in your appearance unless you watch your diet and add regular exercise to your routine.

And that's the bottom line. There's no shortcut to fitness.

There's no pill or machine that's going to turn a mushy midsection into abs of steel.

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Comments (6)

Sammy

Canada

THe study cited by Doug R (Porcari et al.) is an example of how biased studies can fool the general population. Poorly designed, and biased towards making the slendertone seem effective. Check out who paid for the study!

Posted December 15, 2009 09:00 PM

Allen W

Exercise on Shaky Ground
Shaking a baby does brain damage. How much vibration do you think it will take to cause brain damage to an average adult?

I think it is time to bring in a little common sense into the equation.

The bodys complex contruction is articularly desined to limit vibration, especially to the brain. One of the functions of the spine is to act as a shock absorber to the brain when moving (walking and running. The lordosis and cervical curves help reduce initial impact and minimize vibration. Because of the brain mass comprised of 75% fat and is not a solid. The brain is delicate. A direct blow that jars the head often causes concussions, permanent damage, and sometimes death. Some job requirements include machines which cause some vibration. The FDA has laws to help safe guard from these machines and shorten the duration of use.

Did vanity and/or the idea of succeeding at taking a short cut for fitness gains completely made our logic avoid us?

Posted May 19, 2008 04:50 PM

Elsa

montreal

There is talk about vibration exercise,you stand on it apparently you feel so much better especially if you suffer from arthritis,fibromayalgia,aches and pains also tones body and loose weight. I would like to know if there are any clincs,gyms or centers that have this machine in montreal i would like to try it.

Posted December 26, 2007 01:28 PM

SGT COBB

iraq

I used one for about 3yrs and for me it worked just what i wanted it for, not building muscle but to maintain.What people dont understand is its not for loosing fat or to build huge muscles its for keeping muscles that you already have and to use if you had an injury that will not allow you to work out.... people just have the wrong idea about EMS machines....!!!! There are a lot of sites on the internet that will explain these machines how they are used and what they can be used to help do such as working different areas of your muscle (that you already have) to give you different effects an such.

Posted August 31, 2007 01:39 PM

Ryan

Halifax

I am highly skeptical of any kind of vibrating mechanism or EMS being remotely effective on increasing muscle strength beyond anyone who has severe muscle atrophy. As far as EMS goes, Dr. Ho is been around for what? 15 years maybe. If this did anything we would have seen him on more than the home shopping network. I wish people would accept that it takes hard work, time, and consistency to achieve their heath and fitness goals. There is no magic bullet, special potion or advanced machine that will do the work for you.

As far as vibrating for fat loss goes. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE. You cannot spot reduce body fat. Crunches do not burn calories from the fat in your stomach. Leg raises do not burn calories from the fat in your butt and thighs. Viration does not burn fat. It's full body loss or full body gain based on energy equations. Genetics alone will dictate where it comes and goes.

Posted June 5, 2007 06:50 AM

Doug R

A study published by Porcari in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2005) 4, 66-75 shows that the Slendertone EMS is effective at increasing abdominal muscular strength. While no fat was lost, many physical improvements were realized without any changes in exercise habits or diet.

I am a cyclist interested in the use of EMS. I do not work for, nor do I know anyone who works for Compex Technology, maker of Slendertone.

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The shaky science of fitness

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Wednesday, May 30, 2007 | 04:04 PM ET

By Peter Hadzipetros

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