Electronic muscle stimulation, or EMS, was first developed in Russia during the 60′s and 70′s. Their primary use was to repair and build muscles. These EMS devices were based upon 19th and 20th century techniques that were used to determine the effects of electricity on muscles. Because ab belts are used to make muscles contract then relax once the pulses have ended, some ab belts have been created which use the contractions caused by pulses to build stronger and thicker muscles.
Ab belts were then marketed to the general public between the 70′s and 80′s, but were mostly just ab belt scams that provided no results. However, during recent developments in EMS devices, systems today offer electronic muscle stimulation which firm and tone muscles. The modern EMS ab belts have been designed to be used specifically in the ab area. This is the easiest way to firm and tone without requiring medical supervision. They FDA has cleared ab belts for use by the general public and they have been proven to improve muscle tone, however, they are not capable of creating muscle mass or sculpting muscle. EMS devices are mostly used in the health care industry for patients with muscle atrophy.
This means that most consumers will get some benefit – mostly muscle tone with ab belts. However, they shouldn’t expect six pack abs from solely using any EMS device. There has been proof established that ab belts that are cleared by the FDA have been proven to be beneficial when used with regular workouts. This means that wearing an ab belt while doing crunches will help boost muscle development. They are also great for people who have difficulty exercising the regular way because of certain medical conditions. Ab belts that have been cleared by the FDA are currently available on the market. Even though you will not find magical results like a sculpted body while you sleep, they definitely have many benefits.
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They came out with a TENS unit in the late 60′s, which sent electrical impulses to muscles to help deal with chronic pain by stimulating the production of endorphins, which is the body’s natural morphine. If you turned them up too high, you would get muscle contractions. I still have mine from a pain clinic stay in the early 70′s. This is why they are so much fun to use! I bought one of these ab belts in the 80′s and it was a joke, other than the high I got. Please notice several issues about these belts. First, they are cleared by the FDA, not endorsed, which only means they won’t hurt you (just your pocket book). Second, they all have a diet and/or exercise program with them which are what really brings the benefits, and third, if you watch the commercial where they have a thermal scanner to “prove” how well they work, notice as they are taking it off to show the heat given off by the ab workout, see the temperature on the inside of the belt is nearly as hot as the muscles! Wrap anything air tight around your stomach and it will get hot and sweat! Everyone has a six pack underneath the fat, you just can’t see it! All the people in the commercials already have exposed abs and the message is that if you use their product you will look like them. Buyer beware!!!