Unless you’ve been on another planet for the past decade, you’re sure to have come across numerous fitness gadgets that promise remarkable results and claim to give you the body of your dreams. If only it were that easy. Most of these devices have very little scientific backing and limited value, if any at all.
 
Here are some of the biggest offenders:

The Ab Belt, Slendertone Flex, the Ab Belt, or Flex Belt.

These devices go by many different names, but they are designed to be worn across the abdomen and claim to stimulate and contract the abdominal muscles with small, consistent electric shocks supposedly giving you that 6-pack you’ve always desired. Bottom Line: It has been proven over and over that spot fat reduction is just not possible. Fat is lost from all over your body, not just one specific area that you’re training.

The Shake Weight

Most recently, we were introduced to the infamous Shake Weight in 2009. This device claims to strengthen and tone your arms, shoulders, and chest through ‘Dynamic Inertia’ as your humorously shake it in front you. The few studies that have been on this have been inconclusive at best. Fortunately for all of us, there are legitimate ways to get yourself in shape that have stood the test of time.

Meet the kettlebell.

These Russian weights have only recently became popular in America, but have been used in Eastern Europe for hundreds of years to build muscle strength and endurance. You might wonder what makes a kettlebell different from a dumbbell. When you lift a dumbbell, you are using what is known as ‘applied force’, which helps give you a balanced grip. Due to it’s asymmetrical shape, your muscles are forced to stabilize a kettlebell the moment you lift it off the ground. This results in a more intense and physically demanding workout that yields better and faster results than a traditional dumbbell workout offers. Kettlebell Swings and Kettlebell Windmills are two exercises that are not only great total body workouts, but great cardio exercises as well that will help get rid of fat quickly and effectively.

So ignore those late night exercise informercials and start realizing there are no shortcuts to achieving your fitness goals. No ‘device’ can substitute for the intense workout and cardio that proven tools such as kettlebells offer. Yes, it’s hard work, but hard works yields results. It’s up to you if you’re willing to work for it.

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