What are the different types of slimming belts?
The slimming market is deploying a growing supply of devices aimed at losing weight. Among them, slimming belts. This type of belt, which is sometimes similar to a girdle, sometimes a real “passive” weight machine, promises to find a flatter belly and redesigned abs. Find out what are the different types of slimming belts and above all, if these “smart” clothes are effective forlosing belly.
What is a slimming belt?
A slimming belt is, most of the time, a stretchy textile strip, which follows the waistline, like a sheath, breastplate or corset. It is often wide, made of a soft and elastic fabric – a mixture of different textiles such as Lycra, elastane, polyamide, neoprene, and fits perfectly to the waist with Velcro straps. The textures are well worked by the manufacturers, so that the slimming belt does not alter the movement or irritate the skin (absence of seams, Oeko-Tex® certified composition …).
All slimming belts generally promise similar slimming results:
- A loss of centimeters at thewaist circumference
- Aflatterand toned belly
- Smoother and firmer skin
What types of slimming belts exist?
There are different types of slimming belts. Their design is relatively similar, but the technique used differs significantly. Some of the most common types on the market include:
The sweat slimming belt
It is a slimming belt with heating action. It is usually made of an alloy of textiles which, in prolonged contact with the skin, triggers a “sauna” effect. Wearing the belt thus generates heat, which itself leads to localized sweating at the level of the abdominal strap. Thisperspirationwould thus eliminate toxins and waste, and would therefore refine the size. This type of heating belt is often used as part of recovery after exercise (sports context and / or sports medicine), because it allows muscle relaxation of the abdominal, dorsal and lumbar areas.
The vibration slimming belt
It is a vibrating belt, equipped with a small motor connected to a remote control. The latter makes it possible to adjust the frequency and intensity of the vibrations. Sometimes the slimming belt has different programs, for more or less intense effects. The vibrations transmitted by the slimming belt are supposed to massage the entire abdominal strap and thus, tone the muscles. In addition, this vibration massage claims to improve microcirculation, boost lymphatic flow and thus, reduce abdominalwater retention.
The ultrasonic slimming belt
A more recent model of slimming belt, which relies on the action of low-frequency ultrasound to stimulate localized lipolysis. Thus, this type of belt, equipped with transmitters, diffuses low-intensity ultrasonic waves through the skin, to both stimulate connective tissue and circulation, but also cause subcutaneous heat favorable to the destocking of fat (emptying adipocytes).
The micro-encapsulated slimming belt
This type of belt is based on the concept of “Smart textiles“. The material is indeed woven with fibers and microcapsules loaded with cosmetic active ingredients, supposed to have a slimming action. We will therefore traditionally find active ingredients based onprinciples, such , since the latter encourages lipolysis, but also moisturizing principles, such as Aloe Veraor shea. Most of the time, it is possible to wash the slimming belt several times, without altering its properties. However, it is a slimming device with a limited lifespan because in the long term, the microcapsules of the belt will be completely emptied of their slimming solution.
The slimming belt by electrostimulation
A great classic on the slimming market, Electrostimulationis also available in the form of a belt. The latter is generally equipped with electrodes, which must be judiciously placed on each of the muscles of the abdominal strap (straight, transverse, oblique). It is also equipped with a control console (frontal or by connected remote control), which makes it possible to regulate the intensity and the frequency of the electric stimulations. This slimming belt claims to tone the abdominal muscles. The latter, reinforced by gentle and regular stimulation, thus give the stomach and waist a firmer appearance. It should be noted that electrostimulation is a process widely used today in the context of physiotherapy care, to treat muscle and tendon trauma.
The cryotherapy slimming belt
It is in fact a belt diffusing cold, thus similar to a cryotherapytreatment . Cold therapy has two slimming aims, traditionally: to generate apoptosis of adipocytes which, once “dead”, will be naturally evacuated by the lymph, like any cellular waste; generate thermogenesis, that is to say the maintenance of body temperature, and caloric expenditure. In general, this type of slimming belt is divided into two parts: the strap, made of elastic fabric and “niches”, and pouches filled with an antifreeze solution, to be placed in the refrigerator or freezer. Often, it is advisable to avoid wearing this type of slimming belt directly on the skin, to avoid possible skin degradation by exposure to cold.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.