Slendertone Flex Pro Male Abdominal Toning System

You are not going to get ripped with this, but as a way to get more abs time in it is great. You still have to do situps just not as many. This device will tone and strength your abs as you watch TV or at work while you are sitting at a desk. I recommend you get to full strength as fast as possible and do multiple time intervals before removal. This will increase pad life.

I saw all the ads for these types of products for the last few years and understand the concept behind using electical muscle stimulation (EMS) to force contractions of the core muscles. The idea is that by contracting and releasing the muscles you strengthen them and EMS forces this to happen on an involuntary basis so you don't have to do it yourself.

Although all of these may be valid ideas, the problem I found was that the Slendertone doesn't really make my abs contract and release well enough to perform this function. I have used the product at all levels (1 - 7) and at different intensities (1 - 99) while walking and sitting. The product always seems to work for the first few minutes of any "workout", where I can feel my muscles tighten and release, but it seems that my abs get used to the stimulation and no longer involuntarily contract as the "workout" goes on.

I have used the belt enough that I have had to replace the batteries (although I am still on the first set of gel pads) and I honestly have to say that I feel I can get a better workout just tightening and releasing my abs without any help. It also pales in comparison to doing actual ab excercises.

Although you can feel the Slendertone work at times, overall I would recommend you just spend your money elsewhere.

I have used previous Slendertone electronic muscle stimulation (EMS) devices in the past and found them effective, but clumsy to connect / use. So, when I saw the price of the Flex Pro belt, I thought I would give it a try.

I have now been using this device for 3 weeks. My core abs are definitely stronger / more solid than before using the device.

Pros:
- It is easy to and quick to use. I was using the device within minutes of removing it from the box. I can now start using it within seconds by simply removing the covers from the gel pads and putting on the belt.
- It does what it says. When I started using the device, I needed to use the extension belt. Now, I am using it without. Admittedly, some of this results to the stretch effect on the belt, but I have lost just under 2 inchs from my mid-section.
- It is portable. I travel a lot for work. I took this with me on my last trip and used it every day. It was very convenient.

Cons:
- You need to follow a proper diet:
- if you want to actually lose weight. This is not a fault of the device, but a reality of life. No device is a magic bullet. I have lost a couple of pounds since using this, but more so from diet change with the use of this device. Muscle is more dense than fat.
- if you want those washboard abs. I can see my abs forming and strengthening (under the layer of fat that still exists). This hasn't and I don't think will remove that layer of fat. Thus, the diet is required to get rid of that to see the true benefits of this device.

Overall:
I needed this device and would recommend it to anyone wanting to strengthen their core. While practicing martial arts, I performed many crunches and other core exercises. However, as a result of an injury, I have not been able to continue my martial arts program for the past 11 months. As such, my core went soft again. This device is helping to get me ready for restarting the martial arts program.

I am a lifter for 8 years now. This Product does things that no weight can. My abs get such a good workout now, that I have no need to work them in the gym! Also it seems to promote growth all over. Maybe I'm not supposed to mention this, but I used this on my arms too and WOW! It caused some kind of total growth of my entire bicep and triceps! Everyone who wants to look good should have one of these. I am a cheap person, who budget shops as much as possible and Amazon was so right on with their pricing. So nice!

A product is only as good as it's instruction booklet. Works fine, but not as stated in ads or on box. It is supposed to automatically jump from program to program increasing the power as it goes. It dosen't. The power must be reset each time it's turned on. The book dosen't say how to get it to do that.