About Slimming Belts

Slimming belts are mechanical, vibrating belts that fit around the waist under the clothes. The manufacturers of these belts claim they stimulate the muscles in your abdomen, causing the stomach muscles to tighten. Some belts even purport to help you lose weight. Before you buy a slimming belt, be sure you understand as much as possible about how and why they are supposed to work.

Function

• Slimming belts slim you down by altering the appearance of your stomach muscles. Their vibrations and, in some cases, electrodes cause the muscles in your abdominal area to tighten and loosen, as if you were doing sit ups or flexing continuously. Over time, this tones the muscles and changes the shape of your abdoment, causing you to appear thinner. In most cases, slimming belts do not actually take off weight but rather give the appearance of slimming because the body is tighter and firmer. However, most people do not get noticable results from these belts.

Time Frame

• Most slimming belts require that you wear the belt between 15 and 30 minutes each day. While many manufacturers promise results in as little as a few weeks, most people do not see noticable results for months, if ever. Wearing the belt longer each day does not impact the speed of your results in most cases.

Types

• Slimming belts come in several varieties. Some vibrate at varying speeds in order to stimulate the abdominal muscles. Others are designed to increase your perspiration when you exercise to help you lose water weight. Still others are designed to support the back as their main function, with "slimming" properties built in as an extra benefit. Some come with diet and exercise plans, while others promise results with no additional work outside of enduring the belt.

Considerations

• When you are investing in a slimming belt, you need to evaluate several things. Decide what you want from the belt. If you are selecting it in order to get more out of your workouts, for example, choose with a belt designed for active wear. On the other hand, if you want the results with no extra physical activity, select a model that does not consider exercise a prerequisite.
  Also, find out about guarantees and return policies in case you do not get the results you desire. Unfortunately, hardly anyone experiences the slimming results promised by these belts unless they also begin a solid exercise regimen to complement their belt. The results come from the increased physical activity rather than the belt itself.

Benefits

• Slimming belts can help you improve your appearance, although not in the way that you might expect. For example, wearing a slimming belt may help you focus more on your workout because you feel that you are getting more out of the exercise. Also, some slimming belts can be worn under clothing to create a sleeker body line, which amy improve your self confidence.

Warning

• Some slimming belts come with an optional heating device built in. Follow all directions regarding the use of this heater carefully in order to avoid discomfort or even burns. Some belts for sale on auction sites, for example, have actually been recalled by the manufacturer because using them results in serious burns. The seller may not be aware of this and will not mention it so you need to be aware of the possibility.