Separating Fact from Fiction in the Fitness Industry
AimeeZingLife
Posts: 47 Member
There seems to be cures to everything out there, baldness, cellulite, breast or penis enlargement, vision or hearing loss, flabby arms, beer belly etc. The claims on the fix are that they are fast, quick, and easy. You may have seen slogans such as "World's most powerful," "Doctor recommended," or "As seen on tv." Back in the old days snake oil carts were taken from town to town selling cures to tooth aches, neuralgia, constipation and diarhea at the same time. Here I am going to introduce the fads and truths in the fitness industry.
Fads:
1. Miracle thigh cream: Contains aminophylline. Study done for 8 weeks with 2 creams, one aminophylline and one placebo. Took skin folds, circumference measurements and it did nothing yet 7/10 thought it worked.
2. Breathe right strips: reduce snoring, relieve nasal congestion from allergies (which is true), but no evidence that it works during aerobic exercise.
3. Super oxygenated water. 10 times more oxygen than regular water. Improved performance when you think something will work. People ran approximated 1 minute 20 seconds faster when they drank tap water, but thought they were drinking Aquafina.
4. Shape up toning shoes: Rocker sols or pods claim to increase muscle usage of the back, thighs, buttocks, and calves. No change noted with studies.
5. Abdominal machines contour and flex belts: Based on electrical muscle stimulation. They work to increase strength and endurance, but don't change appearance.
6. Performance jewelry: No scientif basis for Power Balance.
What works:
1. Walking poles: May reduce orthopedic stress and there was a 36% increase in upper body endurance.
2. Perfect push-up: Pec major 22% greater EMG, anterior deltoid and triceps 13% higher.
3. Weighted hula hoops
4. Kettle balls: A training study showed 9% increase in grip strength, 15% increase in leg press strength, 7% increase in core strength, and 14% increase in VO2 max.
5. High Intensity Training: Claims 800-1000kcal/hr, metabolism stays higher longer after exercise. Some burn more than others.
6. Fivefinger Shoes. When runners don't run correctly it increased the impact forces on the feet. To learn to use start at 3-5 minutes of use at a time.
These are my notes that I took from the American College of Sports Medicine Health and Fitness Summit. Lets be friends. Add me on MFP.
Fads:
1. Miracle thigh cream: Contains aminophylline. Study done for 8 weeks with 2 creams, one aminophylline and one placebo. Took skin folds, circumference measurements and it did nothing yet 7/10 thought it worked.
2. Breathe right strips: reduce snoring, relieve nasal congestion from allergies (which is true), but no evidence that it works during aerobic exercise.
3. Super oxygenated water. 10 times more oxygen than regular water. Improved performance when you think something will work. People ran approximated 1 minute 20 seconds faster when they drank tap water, but thought they were drinking Aquafina.
4. Shape up toning shoes: Rocker sols or pods claim to increase muscle usage of the back, thighs, buttocks, and calves. No change noted with studies.
5. Abdominal machines contour and flex belts: Based on electrical muscle stimulation. They work to increase strength and endurance, but don't change appearance.
6. Performance jewelry: No scientif basis for Power Balance.
What works:
1. Walking poles: May reduce orthopedic stress and there was a 36% increase in upper body endurance.
2. Perfect push-up: Pec major 22% greater EMG, anterior deltoid and triceps 13% higher.
3. Weighted hula hoops
4. Kettle balls: A training study showed 9% increase in grip strength, 15% increase in leg press strength, 7% increase in core strength, and 14% increase in VO2 max.
5. High Intensity Training: Claims 800-1000kcal/hr, metabolism stays higher longer after exercise. Some burn more than others.
6. Fivefinger Shoes. When runners don't run correctly it increased the impact forces on the feet. To learn to use start at 3-5 minutes of use at a time.
These are my notes that I took from the American College of Sports Medicine Health and Fitness Summit. Lets be friends. Add me on MFP.
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Replies
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I've never understood "oxygenated water". How do you add more oxygen if water is a scientific make-up of H20? If you add more Oxygen, wouldn't you get H202 and then be drinking hydrogen?0
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Breathe right strips - I've used those when I'm really congested and they worked for me. I've used them when my allergies mess up my breathing. As for aerobics, seriously? People tried to use them for that? I thought they were marketed mainly for snoring and breathing better at night. They must be nuts. It feels like a stiff board that pulls up your nostrils. I can't even imagine jumping around with that sensation on my nose. I don't recall that trend. Bizarre.
As for the shoes, well I agree...they don't really work out the muscles. I think they are just really soft and they make it easier for some people to walk. It's more of a soft walking shoe so people might just walk more and they think it's the shoe - most likely it's that they are just walking more. It's not the same as working out seriously.
It's pretty amazing what people come up with. Have you seen that stupid shaker hand device? I also read that the big red roller plate thing is not quite what it was supposed to be. I remember those Tony Gazelle machines. They were fun but they didn't do anything...including the stupid situp machine that looks like one of those machines for hanging from your ankles. They're pretty darn inventive though.0 -
The infomercial that makes me nuts are the sensa commercials. Lose 30lbs by changing nothing. Ugh.
I will say I loved me Reebok runtone shoes butni didn't buy them because they supposedly worked more muscles, I bought them bc they were air filled and felt bouncier so they didn't leave my feet sore.0 -
I'm hoping this will work...funny pics of weird exercise equipment ideas:
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Funny
Vintage Equipment
The Gazelle
The Hula Chair
The Treadmill Bike
The Red Exerciser
The Human Hamster Wheel - Boy we've evolved - Popular in Europe and on Kids Playgrounds
Now this is one I'd love to own. Talk about ergonomic! It's also gorgeous. The ultimate in bikes.
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This one scares me. It looks like he's going to kill himself.
A Jumper to Exercise - Hmm.
What in the....
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OMG!!! Those pictures are awesome!!!! Too funny! Never thought about this stuff before.0
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Love the gerbil wheel.0
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Why isn't Shakeology listed in the overpriced snakeoil category?0
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hahahahaha.........you are 100% correct.....I like you!!!!I've never understood "oxygenated water". How do you add more oxygen if water is a scientific make-up of H20? If you add more Oxygen, wouldn't you get H202 and then be drinking hydrogen?0 -
LOL! Ok, in all fairness, I use the Gazelle! I have the one with the resistance. It really does work for a quiet indoor workout! Great pictures!0
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Dont forget that goofy mat where you put on "special socks" and slide left to right for 20 min0
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They have a vibrating platform in our local mall. I don't know how much it costs, but man, do the guys stand around and stare when a woman gets on it!!
Sadly, I'm not joking about any of that....0 -
Breathe right strips - I've used those when I'm really congested and they worked for me. I've used them when my allergies mess up my breathing. As for aerobics, seriously? People tried to use them for that? I thought they were marketed mainly for snoring and breathing better at night. They must be nuts. It feels like a stiff board that pulls up your nostrils. I can't even imagine jumping around with that sensation on my nose. I don't recall that trend. Bizarre.
I have used them for snoring, and they help a LOT. (Hoping that after I drop this extra weight that it won't be as much of a problem.) I don't understand how they would help with aerobics unless you have sinus issues or a stuffy nose. :ohwell:0 -
I love the Gerbil wheel.0
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What's a kettle ball? Even Google doesn't know?
How does using poles increase upper body endurance? Compared to what?
How is the EMG of the perfect push up relevant? Compared to what?
The only studies I've seen on weighted hula hoops were where they compared them to a group that did no exercise.
I wear vibrams, but your statement makes no sense.0 -
If this thread is an attempt to take away my thigh-master, well think again!
In reality, people have always been a bit gullible and looking for the new and latest thing. It seems to come down to our need for short cuts.0 -
bump, for later0
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My motto is that there is not a damn thing you can buy that will get you as far as hard work and good nutrition. It's not very exciting, but it's the truth.0
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LOL! Ok, in all fairness, I use the Gazelle! I have the one with the resistance. It really does work for a quiet indoor workout! Great pictures!
Yep I have one as well...its less aggravating on my lower back than anything else I use0 -
What's a kettle ball? Even Google doesn't know?
How does using poles increase upper body endurance? Compared to what?
How is the EMG of the perfect push up relevant? Compared to what?
The only studies I've seen on weighted hula hoops were where they compared them to a group that did no exercise.
I wear vibrams, but your statement makes no sense.
I'm sure she meant kettlebells but agree with majority... arms get a workout with the poles by the way because some of the force will be acting through your arms and down the poles (plus you gotta shift them poles along and grasp/grip on to them) in order to do their job, i.e. taking some impact out of the leg joints such as knees and ankles. They are great if you're going downhiull walking or even just cross country like on the fells.0 -
What's a kettle ball? Even Google doesn't know?
How does using poles increase upper body endurance? Compared to what?
How is the EMG of the perfect push up relevant? Compared to what?
The only studies I've seen on weighted hula hoops were where they compared them to a group that did no exercise.
I wear vibrams, but your statement makes no sense.
you couldn't find kettle bells on google? i found 1,570,000 results: http://www.google.com/search?q=kettle+bell&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
they have been around longer than pretty much any exercise equipment except for the boulders they use for strongman competitions, and are excellent for full body strength training0 -
What's a kettle ball? Even Google doesn't know?
How does using poles increase upper body endurance? Compared to what?
How is the EMG of the perfect push up relevant? Compared to what?
The only studies I've seen on weighted hula hoops were where they compared them to a group that did no exercise.
I wear vibrams, but your statement makes no sense.
you couldn't find kettle bells on google? i found 1,570,000 results: http://www.google.com/search?q=kettle+bell&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
they have been around longer than pretty much any exercise equipment except for the boulders they use for strongman competitions, and are excellent for full body strength training
I have many kettlebells.0 -
What's a kettle ball? Even Google doesn't know?
How does using poles increase upper body endurance? Compared to what?
How is the EMG of the perfect push up relevant? Compared to what?
The only studies I've seen on weighted hula hoops were where they compared them to a group that did no exercise.
I wear vibrams, but your statement makes no sense.
I'm sure she meant kettlebells but agree with majority... arms get a workout with the poles by the way because some of the force will be acting through your arms and down the poles (plus you gotta shift them poles along and grasp/grip on to them) in order to do their job, i.e. taking some impact out of the leg joints such as knees and ankles. They are great if you're going downhiull walking or even just cross country like on the fells.
I'm fully aware of walking poles and their function, the statement still makes no sense. You still need a comparison, and increased upper body endurance for what? Walking?0 -
What's a kettle ball? Even Google doesn't know?
How does using poles increase upper body endurance? Compared to what?
How is the EMG of the perfect push up relevant? Compared to what?
The only studies I've seen on weighted hula hoops were where they compared them to a group that did no exercise.
I wear vibrams, but your statement makes no sense.
kettlebell not kettle ball.
vibrams...since you wear them you know running in them is basically the same running stride as running barefoot, staying more on the ball of your foot which allows your foot and leg to act as a spring and absorb the impact of foot contact with the ground than the heel first contact common with traditional running shoes.
Poles....I use them when backpacking. When in a walking / hiking stride I will have a foot and the opposite pole on the ground simultaneously. This allows me to use the poles to help with regular balance, create some power while pushing uphill and reach forward and down to help with balance and absorb some of the increased impact while going downhill. The poles allow your upper body muscles to be doing some work, lessening the strain on your lower body muscles. What I've heard before is this reduces the effort put out by your leg muscles, hence reducing fatigue, by 10-20%. I have no idea if the % is anywhere accurate, but I do know they work as advertised for me.0 -
Dont forget that goofy mat where you put on "special socks" and slide left to right for 20 min
While I can't speak for the smaller infomercial mat version because I never used one that small, I actually love the full size slider boards. We had one in our house when I was a kid that I spent many an evening on. It was probably about 5-6 long and we used to use wool socks and pledge to keep the slickness.
But my I and my were roller skaters for a speed team and the slider board was an essential piece of training equipment that pretty much everyone on our speed team had. Since it was wider than your average side to side skating stride (adults often had wider ones since they had longer legs) and you had to make it to each end block in order to be able to push back to the other it was an amazing workout for the legs and made you have more powerful strides around the rink.0 -
Funny as,
always a fun read when someone debunks these adds,
er about the penis enlargement lol...
:laugh:0 -
I know it was a joke but,
For the record, H2O2 would be hydrogen peroxide (i.e. hair bleach), you don't want to be drinking that. But on the bright side you won't be making it by adding oxygen to water. You add oxygen to water and you get oxygen dissolved in water (in the same way you can get salt or sugar or carbon dioxide gas dissolved in water).
I'm a chemist, I can't let this stuff slide even when I'm trying to lurk :happy:
edit: Not that I'm defending the stupid drink. I'm fairly confident it'd do nothing.
hahahahaha........you are 100% correct.....I like you!!!!I've never understood "oxygenated water". How do you add more oxygen if water is a scientific make-up of H20? If you add more Oxygen, wouldn't you get H202 and then be drinking hydrogen?0 -
I know it was a joke but,
For the record, H2O2 would be hydrogen peroxide (i.e. hair bleach), you don't want to be drinking that. But on the bright side you won't be making it by adding oxygen to water. You add oxygen to water and you get oxygen dissolved in water (in the same way you can get salt or sugar or carbon dioxide gas dissolved in water).
I'm a chemist, I can't let this stuff slide even when I'm trying to lurk :happy:
edit: Not that I'm defending the stupid drink. I'm fairly confident it'd do nothing.
^^
What was said. There's a limit to how much water will hold anyway, and the toughest thing for it to hold onto is a form of gas! If you want to, try this - fill a glass half way with ANY form of drink with bubbles and then add a teaspoon or so of sugar or salt. These have a higher affinity for being dissolved in water than the carbon dioxide (bubbles) and will cause the drink to foam, releasing the carbon dioxide. [Place the glass in the sink to minimize the clean up! ;-) ]0
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