Slendertone Connect Abs Review

By Sarah J

The idea of electronically stimulating your abdominal muscles might be something quite new to many people. But this EMS technology has been around for decades.

These devices have been somewhat controversial in the past. This was mostly due to the claims that some manufacturers made in their marketing. Claiming six-pack abs could be achieved in a short time without exercise or diet changes was the norm.

Thankfully, the Federal Trade Commission put a stop to that and many manufacturers disappeared.

But one company that has been around for a very long time is Slendertone. They are often considered the most popular brand for electronic muscle toning devices.

I saw an influencer making a recommendation for the Slendertone Connect Abs belt. I did some research and decided to give this smart gadget a try. It’s been five weeks, and I have noticed a few changes in my body. It is, thus, I decided to write a review of this to help others in my position.

What is Slendertone Connect Abs?

The Connect Abs by Slendertone is one of the more modern ab belts on the market. However, it is different from many other types of this product available on the market as it has been cleared by the FDA.

Slenderone is actually owned by an Irish company called Bio-Medical Research Ltd.

Further, there is some clinical research to suggest that the Connect Abs belt strengthens and tones major ab muscles. These include the obliques, rectus abdominis, and transversus abdominis. But it is not a magic device that will get rid of all your tummy issues.

It can help you reach your fitness goals faster and make you feel healthier. Thus, it is an excellent gadget to include in your workouts and fitness routine to improve your core strength.

Designed for active customers, it can be worn anytime during the day. It is also quite sleek, which makes it easy to carry around and wear. The manufacturer recommends that users keep it on for 30 minutes per session.

The big difference between this smart device and and other toning equipment is that it is mobile app driven.

It also comes equipped with Bluetooth Smart technology so it can be controlled via the Slendertone Connect mobile app. This is available on both iOS and Android. It also has a USB rechargeable controller which can be attached to the belt.

It includes the option to choose from five different fitness programs. Each program has articles for reference purposes as well as customized feedback to make it easier for you to use the ab toning belt. The package also includes a single set of replacement gel pads and a storage bag.

Ab Belt Technology

The Slendertone Connect Abs uses Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) technology similar to Slendertones other belts. This involves using 3 electrodes or gel pads to help a muscle stimulate and contract.  My friend named it the ab shocker belt which was a bit of an over-exaggeration but this exercise allows the abdominal muscles to become stronger and the entire abdominal musculature is targeted.

There was some controversy around electronic muscle toning products in the early 2000s. The FTC gave these manufacturers large fines.

It is not the first gadget designed by Slendertone that uses Electrical Muscle Stimulation. In the past, they have used this technology in several of their devices. However, with time, the company has managed to improve this mechanism.

The Slendertone Connect app requires a 4th generation iPad or later to an iPhone 4s or newer. The android version requires Android 9 and up.

The app serves a few purposes but the interface is quite easy to use. So it should only take a few minutes to understand everything. You can use it to track your progress, check if you are correctly following the 6-week program, adjust the intensity level,  compete with other Slendertone Connect Abs users across the world, etc.

All in all, the app is a useful addition to the package and it can help to keep you motivated and on track.

Programs

The 5 main programs are:

• Essential Toning
• Upcoming Event
• Fitness
• Advanced Toning
• Post Natal

Each of these toning programs lasts 6 weeks and each is intended to be performed 5 times per week. Most of the programs last 30 minutes each. They all feature varying levels of difficulty and challenge. Post Natal is the most gentle program available as it is suitable for use from 6 weeks after childbirth.

There are 100 levels of intensity available.

What Are Some of the Pros and Cons?

Before discussing the cons, let us first look at everything good about the device.

The Slendertone Connect Abs may not be a magical price of equipment, but it helped me correct my posture. I mostly used it during work hours, and every time I strapped it around my midsection, it forced me to sit up straight.

This helped me get rid of the back pain that had been refusing to go for weeks now. Further, I am a working woman, and at least a few days every week, I have to do extra hours. Thus, long hours at work can sometimes leave me with no time to devote to a gym or outdoor activities.

The Slendertone belt worked well for me as I carried it with me each day to the office and was able to use it without any problems.

If you are someone who has a super busy schedule like me, I’d recommend trying the Slendertone Connect Abs. It is also reasonably straightforward to use with an equally easy-to-use app. I loved the design and the fact that it uses Bluetooth and allows me to track my progress wirelessly.

I found the product intuitive and easy to use.

Coming to the cons, I had a bit of an issue with the fact that each session must last 30 minutes. While the sessions don’t seem that long if you are sitting at home and are binge-watching Netflix. But they can become challenging to complete if you are sitting in an office and have ten different tasks to complete.

Sometimes I also felt that the makers could have focussed on making it more comfortable. There were times when it felt too stiff. Finally, my last complaint with it is that it would not connect with my old android tablet.

The Final Verdict

The first few sessions felt strange. However, once I got used to it and how it felt on my stomach, I started enjoying every session.

It is my fifth week using it, and though my body hasn’t magically transformed, I do see specific changes in my abdominal region. My abdominal muscles feel tighter and my core feels stronger.

My posture has also become better than before. I use it as a reminder to eat right each day. I have certainly been eating a lot healthier since I started using the Slendertone Abs device.

Until a few years ago, gadgets like this were advertised as magical transformative products. These were false claims. The company’s decision to refrain from this kind of advertising has worked in its favor. It’s because of this subdued and realistic advertising that I decided to use the Slendertone Connect Abs belt. Five weeks later, I am glad I did as I can see a noticeable difference.