A slimming belt, also known as an abdominal belt, generally consists of a fairly wide band of fabric. Flexible and stretchable, it adjusts easily to the waist. Manufacturers take particular care to ensure that the belt does not impede movement or cause skin irritation. Their belts also use a variety of mechanisms and technologies to help you achieve your slimming goals. We present the most popular slimming belts below to help you make your choice.
Sweat belts are generally made of neoprene. This textile is highly effective in stimulating perspiration in the stomach, lower back and hips. It’s all the more effective because of the added phenomenon of compression. It’s not really painful, but you’ll feel that your waist is being squeezed! The aim: to slim down more quickly. The manufacturers also claim that their belts help eliminate toxins.
It’s also worth noting that some recent models use infrared technology, but the principle is still to heat the abdominal area to evacuate as much sweat as possible. These are sometimes marketed as “infrared sauna heating belts“.
Another popular slimming belt is the electrostimulation abdominal belt. As the name suggests, this belt is fitted with electrodes. They send small electrical impulses into the muscles to help them contract. More precisely, we’re talking about EMS (electromyostimulation), a technology also used by physiotherapists to stimulate muscles in the abdominal area in certain cases. Advantage: it helps tone the abdominal region. On the other hand, electrostimulation belts are not recommended if you :
Vibrating or vibromassaging belts reproduce the effects of certain slimming massages. In fact, thanks to their regular vibrations, they are designed to encourage the release of fat contained in adipocytes (body cells responsible for storing fat). They are also used to tone the skin.
This belt uses ultrasound technology. The same harmless, painless waves used in ultrasound scans! A button on the belt usually launches the program. In practice, ultrasound breaks the bonds between fat cells and also flushes out water trapped in adipose tissue. This helps to restore a flat stomach and lose weight. But it doesn’t come without effort.
In fact, depending on the model, it’s advisable to “activate” yourself during the session or in the following hour, in order to use the fat that has just been released. Otherwise, they risk being stored again…
Magnetic field belts, such as the BodySculptor slimming belt, use a very low-frequency magnetic field. Safe and painless, this technology gently stimulates the abdominal muscles. Objectives:
Cryotherapy involves destroying fat cells using cold. At an aesthetic doctor’s, the temperature can go as low as -10°C for maximum results. But that’s as far as it goes, because lower temperatures can damage other cells. Nerve cells, for example…
In beauty salons, on the other hand, the temperature is usually between 5°C and 0°C. This already has an effect, even if it’s more slight. For cryotherapy slimming belts, expect temperatures close to those in beauty salons.
In practice, you need to place bags of special gel in the freezer and then slip them into your belt. Cryotherapy belts are also available for medical use. Reimbursable on prescription, they are not intended for weight loss. Rather, they are used for their pain-relieving effects and to limit oedema after certain operations, for example.
A patented technology with proven effectiveness, BioStimology ® uses low-frequency magnetic energy fields to stimulate your metabolism. This magnetic field has the ability to activate calcium channels in muscle membranes. The result is a release of calcium, which causes muscles to contract. Just as if you were exercising. The big advantage: these contractions are imperceptible and painless.
However, they also lead to real energy consumption, as your body is forced to draw on its reserves to fuel your muscles. Hence weight loss.
Does it really work ? Yes, according to several studies. We’re thinking in particular of two studies published in MedLine (a microarray study and a double-blind clinical study). In summary, these studies revealed that :
Good to know too: another CT imaging conducted by Dr. Carpentier in 2013 also found a reduction in visceral fat (-8.2% vs. -4.1% subcutaneous fat), after 12 BioStimology ® sessions.
Would you like to see a BioStimology®-based slimming belt in action? If so, we invite you to watch the BodySculptor belt on the March 24, 2024 Telematin French Program (activate english subtitles):
Several slimming belts do indeed help you lose weight. But you won’t necessarily burn fat in the process: explanations.
Sweat belts, whether infrared-based or not, simply stimulate sweat production. If you notice weight loss after using them, that’s all it is. Fat stocks are still there… so you can’t really talk about weight loss. On the other hand, they can be of interest in cases of heavy water retention. Bear in mind, however, that you shouldn’t overdo it either.
“70% of our body is made up of water, and if we imbalance the thermal energy balance, particularly of water, it disrupts many things, such as the kidneys, because it will lead to hormonal compensations,” points out French Sports Physician Marc Rozenblat in an article for Doctissimo about sweat belts.
Used improperly, “you could even find yourself in situations such as playing sports at very high temperatures, and suffer a fainting spell or even cardiac arrest in the worst case”, he adds. In short, if you want to use a sweat belt, seek medical advice first, as a precaution.
Electrostimulation belts help strengthen abdominal muscles and eliminate subcutaneous fat. The same is true of vibrating belts, although their capacity is more limited… So both can contribute to weight loss. However, none of these belts has any impact on visceral fat. Which is really unfortunate, because it’s this fat that represents the greatest health risk. What about cryotherapy slimming belts ? Same problem: this technology essentially targets subcutaneous fat…
These belts don’t just eliminate water. They also :
At least when used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, of course. Another big advantage of ultrasound or magnetic field belts is that some models seem to be effective on both subcutaneous fat AND visceral fat. This is an interesting point, as visceral fat, located deep in the abdomen, can have many negative effects on your health when present in excess (e.g.: increased risk of cardiovascular disorders, cancer and type 2 diabetes). If you’re interested in this subject, you can find out how to eliminate visceral fat in our previous article.
Yes, whatever slimming belt you choose, it’s highly recommended that you take part in regular physical activity. It’s essential to burn as many calories as possible, strengthen your muscles and stay healthy. It will also help you keep your figure for longer… Some slimming belts are even recommended to be worn directly while exercising. This is particularly true of sweating belts and several ultrasonic belt models.
What about the BodySculptor slimming belt ? You can maximize its effectiveness by doing some physical activity during your session (e.g. cycling, walking, running). But you can also wear it quietly at home and do your sport later, if you prefer. In the end, the most important thing is to exercise regularly.
The best way to assess the effectiveness of a slimming belt is to read the reviews of previous users.
“I love the technology: – 4.5 cm waist circumference in 1 month”, says Lisa R. about the BodySculptor belt.
“Pleasant and easy to wear during my office days. I feel less tight in my jeans” agrees Sabrina G.
“Very practical, painless and already showing results in 15 days,” enthuses Valérie S, noting her rapid results.
The results are also impressive in the men’s category, as Julien A. points out: “I’ve lost 9 cm off my waist in a month, so I’m fully satisfied with my purchase. What I particularly appreciate is the fact that I can wear it in front of my computer for 1 hour a day without having to change my clothes. I’ve also worn it several times when I’m telecommuting. I’ve also worn it several times during exercise bike sessions to maximize its effectiveness (as indicated by the manufacturer) without it disturbing my workout.”
But these are just a few of many opinions! By the way, did you know that other BodySculptor machines are also available in beauty salons? “Thanks to our BodySculptor Reveal device, our customers achieve a slimming effect on all fatty areas of the body. Most notably: the stomach, thighs, knees and calves, but also the arms and chin. In 12 sessions, you can lose up to two clothing sizes, and your skin looks smoother. We’ve been working with BodySculptor for over 10 years, and we’re very satisfied. says Géraldine Dano of Institut Pil’Poil pour Vous in Vannes.
Also read: Top 5 most popular spa treatments
As we’ve already emphasized, a healthy lifestyle is essential for lasting weight loss. The ABCs : eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
Let’s face it: hoping to lose weight with a slimming belt, while at the same time bingeing on fast food and pastries, is nothing short of a fantasy. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a “miracle” technology: only effective technologies that can be used in conjunction with a healthy diet to help you lose weight.
So forget about foods that are too fatty or too sweet, such as pastries, fried foods, store-bought sauces and so on. They all encourage fat storage! Instead, invite fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables onto your plate, along with other slimming foods. To help you draw up your menus, take a look at our top 20 foods to eat to lose weight.
To lose weight, it’s essential to push your body to tap into its fat reserves. Hence the importance of exercising to increase your energy expenditure while at the same time limiting the number of calories in your diet.
From walking to cycling to swimming, all sports can help you lose weight as long as you practice them regularly. But if you’re looking for inspiration, our top 10 effective tummy-loss exercises can help you decide!
Did you know ? You have every right to use complementary techniques to further accelerate your slimming process and regain firm skin. For example, you can combine the use of a slimming belt with :
Slimming belts can be a real help when it comes to losing weight. But it’s best to choose those that really target fat reserves… And always combine them with a healthy lifestyle to optimize their performance.
Bonus tip ? Choose the afternoon or evening to work out while wearing your belt. A number of studies suggest that sporting activity at these times of day is more beneficial for the cardiovascular system and enhances weight loss.
That said, the most important thing is to exercise regularly. So it’s really no big deal if you can only do it in the morning. You’ll still see results if you persevere in your efforts.
Finally, try to get a good night’s sleep. We sometimes forget it, but a good night’s sleep is essential for combating stress and limiting fat storage. So don’t hesitate to check with your doctor if you suffer from insomnia.
BodySculptor® Belt for slimming made easy. Visible, measured and proven results in just a few weeks. A slimmer waistline, firmer stomach and toned skin.
