Muscle Hustle: Exercise Equipment Tips
Looking for a way to keep fit, stay limber or lose weight? A diet of regular
exercise can help.
Which exercise is best? The one you're really going to do. For some people,
that means working out at home on exercise equipment.
If you're considering buying exercise equipment, the Federal Trade Commission
(FTC) offers this advice: Evaluate advertising claims for fitness products
carefully. The FTC has sued marketers of electronic abdominal exercise belts for
claiming that users could get "six-pack abs" and lose inches in a
short time. The Food and Drug Administration has never cleared any kind of
electronic abdominal muscle stimulator for weight loss or obtaining
"rock-hard" abs. While some electronic muscle stimulators may
temporarily strengthen, tone or firm muscles, they will not lead to major
muscle-toning or a major change in appearance.
The FTC advises consumers to:
- Ignore claims that an exercise machine or device can provide long-lasting,
easy, "no-sweat" results in a short time. These claims are false: You
can't get the benefits of exercise unless you exercise.
- Don't fall for claims that a product can burn fat off a particular part of
the body - for example, the buttocks, hips or stomach. Achieving a major change
in your appearance requires sensible eating and regular exercise that works the
whole body.
- Read the ad's fine print. The advertised results may be based on more than
just using a machine; they also may be based on restricting calories.
- Be skeptical of testimonials and before-and-after pictures from
"satisfied" customers. Their experiences may not be typical. Just
because one person had success with the equipment doesn't mean you will, too.
- Do the calculations when you read statements like "three easy payments
of ..." or "only $49.95 a month." The advertised cost may not
include shipping and handling fees, sales tax, and delivery and set-up fees.
Find out the details before you order.
- Get details on warranties, guarantees and return policies. A "30-day
money-back guarantee" may not sound as good if you have to pay shipping on
a bulky piece of equipment you want to "return to sender."
- Check out the company's customer and support services. Call the advertised
toll-free numbers to get an idea of how easy it is to reach a company
representative and how helpful he or she is.
For additional information, please visit the following areas:
Portions of the above information was provided with the kind permission of the Federal Trade Commission (http://www.ftc.gov/)
Last Editorial Review: 8/8/2002
