Weird. Effective. Addictive. (Slendertone System-Abs Abdominal Toning Belt)

Member Name: chezza99

Product:	Slendertone System-Abs Abdominal Toning Belt
Date:	07/04/09 (271 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tones your abs, slims your waist, firms your stomach, makes you giggle.

Disadvantages: What's not to like?

This thing is incredible. I have the previous version - the green one; it cost £80 from Boots. I'd love to get the new one ... and the bum, thighs, arms and any other areas Slendertone chooses to target!

The Slendertone system tones your muscles by electrically stimulating them - weird, huh? If you get the whole system you can use the Slendertone 'engine' to power all the different bits, which would reduce the overall cost. As I've only got the Flex abs trainer, I'll stick to describing that.

I guess your first question would be: What does it feel like? The answer is - er, like a Slendertone. I can't think of anything else that feels like it! Slendertone describe it as a "tingle" but it's very odd: kind of a crawling, tickly feeling - but it's happening under your skin. Essentially, your muscles are moving without your say-so. Sounds horrible, but in fact it's not unpleasant. You get used to it very quickly - and, once you realise it really is toning you up, you start loving it!!

I was fairly fit when I first got mine, and assumed I'd be able to take a strong setting right away. Blimey! I was wrong - so wrong!! My stomach muscles spasmed like I'd just had the biggest shock of my life - well, I literally had got a shock, haha - then relaxed, then did it again! I switched the belt off pronto and decided to RTFM ... read the frickin' manual :D

The Flex comes with very comprehensive instructions and some training plans to follow if you prefer structured progress. The belt itself is about 5 inches deep at the front, tapering around your waist behind. It's made of padded fabric and is hand washable. It fastens with Velcro and fits from 25" to a 40" waist. The Activ unit, which is the engine, is a smallish plastic box with a digital display screen. It takes batteries and slots into a sort of pocket at the front of the belt. The pads, which transmit the current, are made of black gel - they're tacky to the touch, but not sticky. These pads fit over metal buttons on the inside of the Flex: there's a large one, which goes over your tummy, and two smaller ones that fit just inside your hip bones. With the new version, there's also a heart rate pad that attaches to the Active unit by a thin wire.

The Activ unit controls the speed, intensity and frequency of the pulses you receive - there are around 100 possible settings. It also includes a timer, a heart rate monitor, calorie counter and 'personalisation' buttons that you can use to set the Flex on automatic: it will vary the pulses according to your chosen training programme. The unit is attached to the belt by a wire, so you can pull it out of the pocket to check your stats and alter the settings. This wire's a little short - the Slendertone's only design fault, as I have to hunch over a bit to read it.

You're supposed to walk around while using the Flex. Slendertone suggest going jogging with it on: I only tried this once. I was very nervous about looking like a complete twerp (well, I did) but a couple of people commented on what a good idea it was! So I think you could easily get away with following their "Jog & Tone" programme. I just hate jogging. If, like me, you use it at home and find people always ring up during your Flex session - the Active unit has a pause button. Very useful, as the sensation makes me giggle!

This gadget really works. After my first-time accident with a high setting, I felt as if I'd just done 100 crunches at the gym! Very sore, don't try it! I've never gone up to the highest intensity but I did rapidly move up to middling settings, and have often used my Flex for much longer than the recommended 25 minutes. It works the rectus abdominis (abs), obliques (which shape the waist) and the transversus abdominis which is the deep 'corset' muscle that supports your lower back. I've heard the Flex is very useful for people with lower back pain, and I can confirm you see improvements in the abs and obliques very quickly :)

I lost more than 2" off my waist in a couple of months - but I was going to the gym as well. Slendertone don't make specific claims about inch loss; like any form of training, it's really up to you and your dedication. It very, very definitely assists with targeted muscle tone though.

After use, you disassemble the belt - remove the sticky pads and batteries and put it away in its neat little storage unit. The pads come with a protective film to preserve their surface. Mine lasted for about 2 years - you can buy replacements from Slendertone stockists, or the company's website.

Slendertone is part of the company that makes TENS pain relief machines, and it seems that equivalent care has gone into this product. As I said, I'd love to have all of their newest kit.

Health advisory (from the instruction book):

SLENDERTONE ACTIVE is suitable for use by all healthy adults.
However, as with other forms of exercise, some care is
needed when using it, so always follow the points below
and read the support pack before use. Some of the
points below are gender specific.

Please do not use if:

* You have an electronic implant (e.g. cardiac pacemaker
or defibrillator) or suffer from any other heart problem.
* You are pregnant.
* You suffer from cancer, epilepsy or are under medical
supervision for cognitive dysfunction.
* The unit is in close proximity (e.g. 1m) to shortwave or
microwave therapy equipment.
* You are connected to high-frequency surgical equipment.
* Wearing the device necessitates placement over areas
where drugs/medicines are administered by injection
(short term or long term) e.g. hormone treatment.

Please wait before using your SLENDERTONE ACTIVE until:

* At least six weeks after the birth of your baby (you
must consult your doctor first).
* One month after an IUD contraceptive device (e.g. coil)
has been fitted.
* At least three months after having a Caesarean (you
must consult your doctor first).
* The heavy days of your period have finished.

Please get your doctor's or physio's permission before
using this product if:

* If you're feeling light headed/faint please slow down or
stop and pause your stimulation until you feel ready to
begin again. Consult your doctor if this happens.
* You wish to use a SLENDERTONE belt and have a bad back.
You should also ensure the intensity is kept low.
* You have any serious illness or injury not mentioned in
this guide.
* You have recently had an operation.
* You take insulin for diabetes.
* You want to use it on a young child.
* You suffer from muscle or joint problems.
* Using the device as part of a rehabilitation programme.

The Flex costs £58.49 at http://www.slendertone.com, with the Flex Max priced at £77.89. I've seen them on ebay for about £25. System abs, the newest version, is £117.39 and has a rechargeable, hand-held controller.

In summary: a sturdy, well-designed piece of kit that does what it says on the tin ... and tickles!

Summary: It works!