In search of the easy way to toned legs, bums and tums, Stylenest turned to the new Slendertone Bottom.
When it comes to exercise, a stress-busting run or a fun Zumba class is one thing, doing monotonous squats or lunges for half an hour every day, and finding the time to do them is quite another.
For several years Slendertone have claimed to offer a workable solution, allowing you to effortlessly tone up by attaching a simple device to problem areas while you go about your business. Using Electronic Muscle Stimulation (EMS) the device sends electrical impulses to the nerves in your muscles, causing them to contract and relax, gradually becoming more conditioned and toned.
Sounds too good to be true? Well we took up the 28 day challenge of the newly launched Slendertone Bottom to see if we really could “cheat” our way to the perfect body.
The device consists of a pair of cycling shorts, with four Velcro flaps which the gel pads adhere to – these conduct the electrical impulses which tone up the muscles. Fortunately it doesn’t use too much electricity either; after charging the battery for the recommended three hours, it lasted the entirety of the trial. Recommended use is 5 times a week for 30 minutes per day which apparently is the equivalent of 60 reverse leg lifts.
In terms of comfort it does take a while to get used to – although it’s not painful, every five seconds while the muscles are contracting you receive a sensation similar to pins and needles, which can become quite unpleasant if the intensity is set too high. However, you are able to adjust the power to a comfortable level, increasing it each week that you use it (a guideline is given in the information booklet along with safety precautions). Just ensure you don’t touch the gel pads directly (they come with plastic covers which you stick back on immediately after use) and that they are properly positioned or the current won’t conduct properly – making it more painful to use. Also walking around the house is slightly more difficult when the muscles are contracting, so you might want to stay where you are while the device is switched on.
Whilst we didn’t achieve the perfect posterior advertised on the box, we did notice a lot increased definition and pertness particularly noticeable when sporting our super skinny jeans. Perhaps we should try the tummy-toning version too?
The Slendertone Bottom is £139.99 available at Boots and www.slendertone.com,