Slendertone Flex Max Female Toning Belt

I did debate with myself whether I wanted to give it four or five stars - it's probably inbetween - but I lean towards five because it has really benefited my lazy life style, and does a couple of cool things not stated on the tin.

I brought it because a male friend body builder recommended it. I wanted a better tummy, and in my karate class I never seemed as hardcore with the ab exercises as my friends, no matter how hard I tried. Worst of all was the dreaded V-sit, which I simply could not do. Using the Slendertone on and off for a week I found it worked those tricky lower tummy muscles, and gave me just that little extra support I needed to master the exercise well enough to benefit from it without the belt.

Basically, it works by emitting an electrical charge into your abs that makes them tense. It does bite a little, but if you're one of those that need to see and FEEL like something's happening - you'll love it. Biggest advice is to not go too crazy with it too soon, however tempting it seems to wap it up to the next level you only end up writing off your ability to move for a week. Same if you haven't used it for a while... as I found out the painful way, just because you could handle level 9 three weeks ago doesn't mean you still can after a period of vegetation.

It works best if you're upright, with good posture, but I frequently use it while pottering around or on the occasional jog. The best thing about this product is that if you've laxed with your training, it maintains a reasonable level of tonage. For example, I've been a bummy bad student for the last few years (as you may tell from shocking grammar) and when I inevitably left all my work to the last minute and needed to spend at least 4 weeks in front of desk, binging on sugary products and tea, Slendertone came into it's element. Naturally it doesn't really get rid of love handles (only good old cardio gets those monsters) so they did reappear, but it gave kept the front of my tummy in shape, and preserved those lower muscles I mentioned before. It also:

1) Enabled me to stay awake for pro-longed periods of sleep deprivation at my desk. When the sunrise is appearing, the birds are singing, people are jogging outside your window, you feel oddly cold and alone and you just need that LAST push of energy to get through, Slendertone is your friend.

2) Makes you keep good posture at your desk. When you've worked up to those higher levels, there is no way you're slouching... you'd have to be mental. In return your back thanks you by developing a bit of tonnage along the spine (backless dress win).

3) Works overnight, I know that sounds bizarre and contradicts the above. I tried it when I was exhausted but desperately needed some slimming for an event. Just turned it down to gentle niggling and slept through. There is still a result in the morning, it's not radical definition on the front - just round the waist.

You can also use it at work, although not on full power so you're not..breaking.. your...words...over...the phone. But I did not enjoy it when doing my Friday student paper delivery. With all the bending and moving of heavy things I found it more detrimental, and my back wasn't happy.

I also found that the pads and batteries last FOR AGES. I've only ever brought one extra set of pads, and I do use this pretty frequently. I noticed the batteries go quicker when you turn it off and on a lot however, and it does automatically shut itself off after 5 minutes so if you've stopped for a phone call that can be annoying. I also find the 'sad face' patronising when you turn it off before the end of the program - even more loser-ish is the sad buzzer noise it makes when you turn it down. Like when you've answered a question wrong on a game show, each resounding beep telling me how much I suck. I presume you can actually turn this off, but on the reverse I like the successful completion finale beep too much..

Anyway that's slightly off point. Bad things about it. You have to make sure you're putting the pads over your tummy evenly, or you will end up with one ab more defined than the others. As all these reviews tell you, it isn't a miracle worker, but at the very least it preserves and defines what's already there. The 'one size fits all' approach was annoying when I lost some weight, but the pads are sticky so it does still work when a bit baggy, and safety pins did the rest pretty well. However my super-super-skinny model friend tried it once (I safety-pinned her in) and it really hurt her ribs, even on the lowest settings. Check the measurements of the belt and if your own waist falls WELL below the tightest Velcro, count yourself a lucky b**** and don't use it. You don't need it.

Some final health notes I have to mention. In my experience, having this too low hurts your hips. With the electric current you can never be sure what muscles it's working, and if you have it too low in a bid to get the love handles, you risk trying to tone bits that should not be toned by electrical force. Took a while to realise it was the slendertone that was causing the hip ache, but when I moved it higher it all stopped. Don't mean to scare-monger, but I will sleep better tonight having said that. Don't use it when driving, it's distracting. And don't don't don't use it while on your period. Hell hath no pain like it...
I once tried my male friends Slendertone, and other than the fact it was massive, it just did NOT feel right. It hurt and didn't seem to be doing me any favours. I don't understand the science behind the male and female versions, but I presume it's something to do with our reproductive capacity. Anyway, don't be tempted to get the male version because it's sometimes cheaper on Ebay, or because you think you're more hardcore than the female version. This baby gives some pretty strong currents I can tell you, don't under-estimate it.

So yes, all that aside, it's an awesome product. Obviously you need to have a good diet, but if you're not into having a mega bod - just a little definition, I really don't think you need to cram a load of exercise in as well. It improves your posture, works the tougher to reach muscles, pulls in the waist line, improves your back muscles and posture (if used correctly) and gives you some added confidence. It's fantastic for bringing back the muscles you used to have, in fact that's how I'd sum this product up. If you had the muscle before, this will help you get it back tenfold. If you never had it, this will put you on the pathway to some basic muscle definition - working the lower muscles to keep your front curves balanced (not the four-pack with a tyre underneath that I used to have). It just makes you feel better about yourself, particularly if you struggle with sit-ups or have a disability that prevents that. Be sensible, but have some fun with it. Some of the greatest results I've seen from using it over the last two years have been through experimenting with what it can do. Just don't ignore the warning bells, your body knows what it can handle and what it needs.

Hope some of this helped in deciding if it's for you.
Good luck!

I am so sick of people moaning that this product doesn't work (whilst they sit there eating pizza, and cream cakes and watching TV!!). If you have alot of body fat on your tummy, this definately won't work simply beacuse even though the muscles are toning, there is so much fat that you won't be able to see them!! The best way to acheive flat abs is to have a healthy, calorie controlled diet/lifestyle and use this product to compliment your fitness program. I put on about 5 stone whilst pregnant (yikes!!) and once I'd given birth was horrified by my appearance. I set about losing it through healthy eating- lots of fruit, veg and low fat food and after alot of hard work and exercise, I lost the all of the weight. However, despite regular sit ups, my tum was not as toned as I would have liked so I purchased the belt. I am very very pleased with the results, however, it must be in conjunction with a healthy diet and you must use it regularly. A bit like the gym, I found that it only works if you use it at least 3 times a week. Having said all that, I have now acheived a moderate "4 pack" on my tummy which for me, after having a 9lb baby is nothing short of a miracle!!! Definately recommend this product but you must also pay attention to your diet too.

These belts are amazing, my partner and I both have one. We are extremely impressed with the results.

I must stress that that they will only work in conjuction with following a good diet and a reasonably fit lifestyle. I am a 38 year old mother of 2 and I have achieved the flat stomach I have always wanted and have only been using it since April.

Go on treat yourself, I know they are expensive, but they are worth every penny, you will not be disapointed.