Review: Slendertone Flex Pro Abdominal Muscle Toner

The Slendertone Flex Pro is one of the latest electronic abdominal training devices to hit the shelves, and you may know someone who has this product on their Christmas "wish list"! These devices have been around for some time now, but their popularity keeps on going strong. This device isn’t trying to do anything new, it’s just trying to do everything better than the existing alternatives. So how does it manage? Let’s find out if it's worth purchasing as a gift for someone - or just yourself.

Key Features Of The Slendertone Flex Pro Muscle Toner

RRP: $100.00
Product Dimensions: 12 x 8.1 x 3.6 inches
Weight: 1.2 lbs
Waist Range: 24 - 47 inches
Built in Programs: 7 (99 resistance levels)

Slendertone Flex Pro Muscle Toner: The Pros

Designed To Work On All Ab Groups: While most of us think of the abs as the muscles that make up the six-pack on the front of the torso, they are actually more than that. The abs are comprised of 4 major muscle groups that include the rectus abdominis (the muscles that make up the six pack), the transverse abdominal muscles, the internal obliques and the external obliques.

This product is designed to work on not only the six pack muscles, but all of the muscle groups that make up your core, creating a tighter and firmer body. It’s important not to ignore the other muscles as they’re just as important for your health (and appearance) as the main rectus abdominis group.

No Effort Required: If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to train your abs without having to dedicate your time to it, then this is a great product. By electronically stimulating your muscles they are forced to contract and release without you even thinking about it.

Whether you’re working or just walking to the shops, you can wear the Slendertone underneath your clothes to train your abs. This means you don’t have to spend so much of your free time exercising, as you’ll be doing some of the physical work while you’re doing other things.

Fits Many Sizes: This trainer is designed for men with waists from 24 inches to 47 inches in size (also available in a women's version). So no matter what your size, you’ll almost certainly be able to make use of the Slendertone. And that means that it doesn’t matter how big you are, you can always get the abs that you’ve dreamed of with a little work and the Slendertone.

99 Intensity Levels: As this device works by electrical stimulation it’s important to have a range of intensity levels, and the Slendertone has 99 of them! That’ll let you get the level just right so that it doesn’t cause you any discomfort, but also so that it doesn’t overstimulate your abs. It’s important to start slow if you’re not used to abdominal workouts, otherwise you can hurt yourself (just as if you were doing situps).

Light Weight: As well as fitting all body types, the Slendertone is a light weight device. That makes it suitable for use anytime and anywhere. Just wear in underneath your usual clothes and go about your business – you’ll be working on your abs without even knowing it.

Time Saver: One of the best things about the Slendertone is that it can be a great time saver. As you can use it while doing other things, you don’t have to set aside so much time to concentrate purely on exercise without doing anything else. Just slip it on under your work clothes and use it throughout the day.

Great Home Workout Solution: If you struggle to get to the gym on a regular basis and have decided to work out from home instead then this is a great option. Because it’s so easy to use it’s easy to stay motivated, and you can combine it with your regular workout to achieve effects even faster than usual.

Slendertone Flex Pro Muscle Toner: The Cons

Won’t Make You Lose Weight: Although the Slendertone will work on your abs without you having to put any serious effort it, you’ll have to work on weight loss for yourself. No amount of abdominal training can make you lose enough body fat for your abs to show, or for you to get into a healthy condition. So if you’re primarily looking for a way to lose weight, you should look elsewhere.

Poor Manual: The manual that’s included with the device is not very detailed. It does give you clear instructions on what sort of intensity levels to work at, but if you’re looking for information on how to incorporate this into a workout routine you can forget it.

Belt Not Moveable When Switched On: This is more of a warning than a true negative, but as the belt is electronically charged you shouldn’t try and move the electrodes while they’re active. They can give you a fairly painful shock that you’d be better off avoiding.

A Supplementary Device: If you’re looking to get great abs, you shouldn’t see this as a primary device that gets rid of the need for any work. Ideally you should do your own abdominal workout routine, and use this as a post-workout supplement to push your muscles further than you could during the actual workout. Then you’ll see really fast improvements that can’t be beaten any other way.

Is The Slendertone Flex Pro Muscle Toner Worth Buying?

The Slendertone Flex Pro Muscle Toner isn’t going to give all those who are too lazy to set themselves a strict diet or do a bit of exercise an easy get-out. But it’s a great addition to a training program, and can even be used without other forms of exercise to improve the abdominal tone. This is a good all-round product for those who are already trying to get their abs in shape but aren’t having much luck.

The Slendertone Flex Pro is available on Amazon.com and other online retailers.

Video: Strength Exercises for Swimmers

If you love swimming and want to increase your speed, this short video demonstrates some great exercises for building core strength and increasing speed while swimming. These are also great exercises for building core strength in general - so even if you're not a swimmer, you can benefit from these with a strong core, better posture, and a flatter, more toned midsection.*

*Note: Some of these exercises are fairly advanced. Do not attempt without making sure you are at a high enough fitness level to avoid injury. Listen to your body, and consult a personal trainer for guidance if needed.

Fast Swimming Secret Tip - Core Exercise
Sabir Muhammad demonstrates fast swimming exercises used at the Race Club to increase core strength. Gary Hall Sr describes these exercises and how they incr...

3 Strength-Building Exercises for Your Core

When creating a strength-training routine, it is crucial that core exercises be a part of your program.  The core has traditionally been associated with the abdominals and lower back muscles, but hip and pelvic muscles are also very important. 

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Strengthening all of these muscle groups as part of your core exercises has several benefits: 

* Increased tone in the superficial abdominal muscles
* Reduced chances of suffering lower back pain
* Less chance of injury during workouts
* An increase in balance and stability

With more than two dozen muscles groups making up the core, a wide variety of exercises can be done to target them.  The following exercises, however, will not only activate some of these muscles, but will develop strength in these areas.  This is key to developing overall balance and stability.

1. Plank Position

The Plank Position is one of the best core exercises that you can do.  The reason is that when done properly, it not only targets your core, but it is very effective at working on your quadriceps muscles in your thighs, your chest muscles, as well as your triceps and several smaller stabilizer muscles.

For the most benefit, try to hold the plank position as long as you can, and then repeat a second time.  Your goal from one workout to the next would be to increase your personal best time.  Plank is very common in yoga, but it is a versatile exercise that can be adapted to suit all fitness ranges and abilities.

2. Crunches and Sit-ups

Are crunches and sit-ups the same?  The simple answer is, "no."  With a typical crunch where your legs are in a static position, you will adequately develop the superficial abdominal muscles.  In a crunch, your back also stays on the floor (unlike sit-ups). 

If you wish to strengthen the deeper abdominal muscles, sit-ups may be your exercise of choice.  Sit-ups are a great abdominal and hip flexor strengthening tool, if done properly. 

Performing the crunch (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

However, there is a word of caution when doing sit-ups.  Ensure that your hands are on your chest, not behind your head (which you can get away with during a crunch), so as to avoid causing neck strain! Also, done incorrectly, situps can really do a number on your lower back, so if you have any problems in this area you should stick with the safer crunches.

The other advantage of doing sit-ups is that you can use a dumbbell or a medicine ball to challenge your abdominal muscles even further. 

3. Alternating Side-Leg Lifts

These core exercises are very good at targeting the lower abdominal muscles.  Most core workout exercises are great for the lower back and upper abdominals, but not as many will aim to target the lower abdominals.  Side-leg lifts do exactly that.  In fact, it is advisable that you work out the lower abdominals before the upper abdominals, so make this your first exercise when working out your core.

In summary, core exercises that incorporate strength training create a strong foundation that will allow you to maximize your workout routine.  Although the effects of strong core muscles cannot always be seen right away, they will pay big dividends as you progress down the road to better health and fitness. 

Video - The Truth About Getting Flat Abs

This short interview with Mike Geary, fitness expert and author of "The Truth About Abs" dispels some myths about ab exercises and what it really takes to get flat abs. The reason we like Mike's approach is that, rather than focusing on crunches or other specific ab exercises, he takes a whole-body view, which is much more effective, efficient, and rewarding. Eating the proper foods in the right amounts, and getting regular exercise in a variety of activities and intensity levels, are much more important (and successful) than doing a bunch of situps.

To learn more about Mike's holistic approach, watch the video, and if you want to learn more, check out the resources below:

Mike Geary Interview - Truth About Abs (part 1)
gwnn.me Jackie from Girlwithnoname.com sits down for an informative chat with Mike Geary, author of "The Truth About Six Pack Abs" and "The Fat Burning Kitchen" (and the guy she credits with helping her get her six pack abs). For More Information: gw...


Click Here to Learn More About Abdominal Fat & How It Affects Your Health.... 


Check Out Mike's Book: 

Ab Workout Tips

Wrapping up our all-about-the-tummy week, here is an article with a lot of great suggestions and tips for some fun ways to work your abdominals. It doesn't have to all be crunches!  Remember we are big on fun here - there are a lot of great ways to work your abs that are more fun than you would think - from bicycling to dancing, here are some great ideas.  (Or check out one of our favorites - Pilates, Hip Hop Abs, or Yoga Booty Ballet - this one kicks your tummy's butt!)

Workout Tips – Ab Workouts That Change You
Dancing is one of the best ab workouts you can do, and different types of dance will work different muscle groups. There are a lot of gyms offering dance classes now and those classes can be quite a lot of fun, ...
Publish Date: 07/02/2011 5:58
http://www.hivtips.org/workout-tips-ab-workouts-that-change-you.html


Some of Our Favorite Ab-Strengthening Workouts: