Buyer Beware!
Written: Aug 19 '02 (Updated Aug 21 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: You don't have to do sit-ups.
Cons: You'll still need to do sit ups if you want strong abs.
The Bottom Line: It doesn't work. Get your money back quick!!!
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| amychapman's Full Review: Abtronic Electronic Fitness System |
Ok, I admit to being one of millions who want those washboard abs. And it's not like I expected this contraption to do everything for me. I worked out too!! Nonetheless, I thought the AbTronic would help get me there quicker. After all, "it's equivilent to doing 600 sit-ups in 10 minutes". I knew that these type of devices had been around for years to help athletes recondition their muscles after an injury, so it seemed feasable and I bought it--for $120 no less. You already know the bottom line, but here's the skinny (no pun intended indeed!) anyway...
The AbTronic is an electrical muscle stimulator (EMS)device that looks like the belt of a superhero. Here's what I paid for: one long belt (for your waist), one short belt (for your arm, leg, or to add on to the long belt), a neoprene center piece that has foil on the side that goes against your skin, a control unit with a lithium battery (and a spare battery), conductive gel (to put on the foil side so you don't give yourself a dry shock), instructions, a weight loss plan, and a carrying case. The control unit has three buttons on it: one to change the exercise program (of which there are 6..."the iron man", "the karate chop", the "fat blaster", etc.) and two to change the intensity level up or down. The unit automatically shuts off after 10 minutes for safety.
You put the belt around your waist using the velcro adjustment and put the conductive gel on the neoprene center piece that goes against your tummy. Then you attach the control unit by snapping it onto the center piece and set your controls. I had to start out at level 3 to even feel anything happening. When I did feel something happening it could be described as an electric pull that grabs onto your muscle then releases it. The "grab" can be anywhere from every second to a three second hold, depending on what program you have it set to. In my opinion it felt very weird, but not uncomfortable. If you experiment and turn the intensity up to, let's say, 7 or 8, watch out! This can really hurt! The biggest disappointment (besides it not doing what it says it will do for your figure) was that I couldn't wear it under my clothes and go on with my daily routine while I was using it. The reason: the use of the conductive gel, which is very slippery (think KY jelly here) and the force of gravity and body heat caused it to slide down my stomach! And by the way, when you run out of the special conductive gel they include you CAN use KY jelly--it works just as well as a conductive medium. Anyway, I had to stay in one place while I had my 10 minute "workout" and that sucked. Another major disappointment was that after about 3 weeks of use I had to replace the battery!
Anyway, it didn't feel like I worked my abs at all the next day, and I didn't get anywhere near the 6-pack I was looking for after using it for 3 months! The bottom line is--this thing doesn't work!
And just in case you already have one...a national lawsuit was filed against the AbTronic and similar devices (AbEnergizer and FastAbs) on May 9, 2002 by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (and also Health Canada) for false advertising. So if you already have one and have similar complaints, call the FTC's complaint line (202) 326-3343 or go to ftc.gov to file a complaint online. We may be able to get our money back! As for those rock hard abs...I'll never stop trying!
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
amychapman
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Location: Beverly Hills, MI, USA
Reviews written: 4
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Just an average gal.
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