Be a Savvy Fitness Shopper

The benefits of exercise are well-researched and well-documented. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case with advertising claims for exercise equipment.

Some advertisers claim—without evidence—that their exercise products offer a quick, easy way to shape up, keep fit and lose weight. The truth is, there’s no such thing as a no-work, no-sweat way to a healthy, toned body.

Deriving the benefits of exercise requires doing the work.

Before you jump into the next home fitness fad, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers this advice: Exercise good judgment and carefully evaluate advertising claims for exercise products.

Evaluating Claims

Read the performance claims critically. Be leery of those that say the equipment or device can:

• Provide easy or effortless results or burn excessive calories. The claims may be true for athletes in top physical condition, but not for most people.
• Help you burn more calories or lose weight faster than other types of equipment. In general, exercise equipment that works the whole body or major parts of it probably helps you burn more calories than devices that work one part of the body. And, the more you use the equipment, the more calories you’ll burn.
• Help you “spot reduce”—for example, help you trim your hips or lose the proverbial “spare tire.” Toning and losing weight in one particular area of the body requires regular exercise that works the whole body.
• Always read the fine print. The advertised results may be based on more than just the use of the machine; they also may be based on restricting calories. The fine print may explain this.

Be skeptical of testimonials or 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. As for those popular celebrity endorsements, they, too, are no proof that the equipment will work as claimed.

Finding the Right Equipment

After you’ve evaluated the advertised claims—but before you make a final purchasing decision—consider these questions:

• Will the equipment help you achieve your desired goal, whether it’s to build strength, increase flexibility, improve endurance or enhance your health?
• Will you stick to the program? Before you buy, prove to yourself that you’re ready to act on your good intentions.
• To help you choose the best equipment for your needs, check out consumer and fitness magazines that rate exercise equipment. Then test various pieces of equipment at a local gym, recreation center or retailer to find the machine or device that feels comfortable to you.
• Don’t be fooled by companies that advertise “three easy payments of” or “only $49.95 a month.” The advertised price may not include shipping and handling fees, sales tax, and delivery and set-up fees. Ask about all the costs before you close the deal.
• Get details on warranties, guarantees and return policies: A “30-day money-back guarantee” may not sound as good if you’re responsible for paying a hefty fee to return a bulky piece of equipment.
• Check out the company’s customer and support services. Call the advertised toll-free number to get an idea of how easy it is to reach a company representative and how helpful he or she is.

You may get a great deal on a piece of fitness equipment from a secondhand store, consignment shop, yard sale or the classified ads. Buy wisely: Items bought secondhand usually aren’t returnable and don’t carry the warranties that new equipment does.

Whether used or new, home exercise equipment can be a great way to shape up—but only if you use it regularly. Don’t be taken in by claims of quick, easy and effortless results: There’s no such thing as a no-work, no-sweat way to a toned body.

Additional Resource

Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Office of Consumer and Business Education—Avoiding the Muscle Hustle: Tips for Buying Exercise Equipment:www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/musclealrt.pdf The Federal Trade Commission works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint, or to get free information on any of a variety of consumer topics, call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP, or use the complaint form at www.ftc.gov.

The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

ACE Fit Fact is taken from ACE FitnessMatters magazine. Want more information like this delivered directly to your home? ACE FitnessMatters, the bi-monthly magazine from the American Council on Exercise (ACE), is the source for the most accurate, up-to-date fitness information you need to live a healthy, active life. Subscribe to ACE FitnessMatters Magazine online or call 1-888-825-3636. 

The American Council on Exercise does not endorse or promote the companies, products or services that reside on this website. ACE does not receive revenue generated from any organizations that advertise on this Web site. Copyright 2003 American Council on Exercise. All Rights Reserved 

ASK THE EXPERTS: What Happens to Unused Muscle?

If you abandon your strength-training program, will your muscles turn to fat? The answer is no: muscle doesn't turn to fat, but we do tend to lose muscle tissue and add fat as we age. There is a science behind muscle-loss that comes with age, which generally begins after the age of 35.

The use it or lose it concept remains an important mantra when weight-training. If you’re not actively replacing 

muscle after the age of 35, approximately one-half pound of unused muscle is lost per year.

As your activity levels decrease, fat cells gradually begin to replace the lean muscle tissue – the key word here is replace. The body contains more than 600 muscles that maneuver each and every move. When these muscles are neglected, your muscle definition deteriorates and your fat content increases. What does this mean?

Strength training should be part of your regular workout in order to maintain or gain muscle.

It stimulates muscle cell growth and the production of enzymes that help use and store energy.

Your body is composed of lean mass and fat mass. While the goal is to achieve a higher level of lean mass than fat mass, both types do serve a purpose.

Lean mass includes muscles, bones, organs and blood. Fat mass protects organs like the heart, liver and kidneys. It acts as insulation to keep us warm and helps regulate hormones.

• Men’s lean mass should be at least 80 percent of the body composition,
• Women should shoot for 75 percent lean mass.

Fit Tips are provided by Life Fitness, the leader in designing and manufacturing high-quality exercise equipment for fitness facilities and homes worldwide. For more information on Fit Tips and other fitness advice and expertise visit www.lifefitness.com or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/lifefitness or join our Facebook fan page atwww.facebook.com/lifefitness.