Fitness
December 5, 2009
I was watching cable TV last night when a commercial came on the air for a product called the “Belly Burner.” I nearly dropped the cup of hot green tea I was drinking in my lap.
The ad for the Belly Burner shows several fit people securing a large neoprene belt around their waists with a promise that simply wearing the belt will help to develop “firmer, tighter, sexier abs.” Supposedly you don’t even have to exercise to see results, but the belt will “complement any exercise or physical activity: walking, biking, jogging, gym …”
The claim by the manufacturer is that the Belly Burner increases thermal core temperature, thus shedding the pounds and inches from your waist. To “prove” this claim, two thermal images with “heat vision photography” of a midsection are provided — one with with the Belly Burner, the other without it. Wouldn’t you know it, the photo using the Belly Burner shows all sorts of bright orange and yellow colors (supposedly indicative of greater heat) while the other photo is mostly a dull green and blue. Wow, some proof. Of course, as with all of these overhyped infomercials, assorted free gifts are offered including a DVD and calorie counter. Hopefully you’re not running to phone with your credit card just yet…
Let’s get down to the facts. Despite the claims, no peer-reviewed research supporting the belt’s validity is provided in the ad. None!. Based on current research, there is zero evidence to believe that the Belly Burner will have any affect on reducing your waistline. Rather, all evidence shows that you can’t increase core temperature by wearing a snug belt. At best, you might sweat a little more, which causes the temporary loss of body water — a process that is quickly reversed once you rehydrate.
Apparently the Belly Burner was invented by a “celebrity trainer” named Bobby Waldron. The ad says it used to be only available to his personal clients but now it is available to the public. Whoopee! A quick Internet search for Bobby Waldron reveals he is a model, actor, stunt man, and yes, a personal trainer. I’m not sure what order his priorities lie, but if the Belly Burner is his big contribution to the field of exercise, then he should stick with his other interests.
Unfortunately, the fitness industry is rife with hucksters that look to appeal to the naivety of the consumer with promises of an easy way to a great body. As long as there is money to be made, some entrepreneur is bound to try to capitalize for a quick buck. Don’t be scammed. When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. By all accounts, that’s the case with the Belly Burner. Save your hard-earned money and train hard. That’s the only way you’ll get fab abs.
Stay Fit!
Brad
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Brad, Thanks again for exposing another fitness “hype.” This time of year, people are especially vulnerable to these “hoodwinks’ because it’s the holidays, they may have the notion of buying it now and using it in January after they’ve “glutted” out. To me, the health and fitness industry is one of the most scammed industries–especially in the US. People want something for nothing. They don’t want to do old fashioned work at the gym or be consistent with quality fitness dvds from professionals like you.
Thanks again and keep on exposing these liars for who they really are!
Comment by JC — December 6, 2009 @ 4:16 am
Thanks JC. You are so right–the holidays make people more vulnerable to falling for quick-fix solutions. All the more reason to reinforce the importance of staying focused on keeping up with exercise throughout the holiday season.
Stay Fit!
Brad
Comment by Brad — December 6, 2009 @ 3:24 pm
I think i remember seeing this kind of thing in the late seventies. Does any one know when the first one came out on tv. It seams like every couple of years a new trainer of some kind comes out with one. And its all ways the same thing and does the same thing. Just a bunch bs
Work harder in the gym is all you need.
James
Comment by James carter — August 30, 2010 @ 2:43 pm
The belly burn is to add heat to your ab region so the heat will make you sweat and to add to the sweat the heat will relax and smooth the fat and start tightening the abs. were you may think it a fraud it works for those who run atleast 15min a day and ride bike for hours everyday like me. it is only a heating element not a fraud product.
Comment by Geo — February 25, 2011 @ 11:34 pm
Fat loss workouts…
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Trackback by Fat loss workouts — November 16, 2011 @ 8:19 pm
Belly Burner has never made any miracle ab claims. I actually met Waldron at Crunch in NYC, before he went to Hollywood. He developed many programs for Crunch, was a great kick boxing trainer and has a degree in fitness. Orlando Bloom, Debi Mazar and others swear by his methods. I personally would not go for this or any device product because I find them unpractical for my lifestyle. The claim of dropping excess water weight and burning calories at a higher rate (due to increased body temp) is really valid and an option for someone who wants to drop weight quickly for an event, etc. Funny how you knock one product then promote your own book.
Comment by Maximo — June 29, 2016 @ 6:45 pm