By Sage McHugh on March 7, 2010 in
A phallic, gyrating device made especially for women? No, this isn't a sex toy. It's the Shake Weight, the latest As Seen on TV fitness product to take the nation by storm. Although the Shake Weight hasn't received many favorable reviews, it has been the butt of countless YouTube spoofs and TV parodies, including a particularly funny and much-talked-about segment on the Ellen DeGeneres show.
So what exactly is this revolutionary piece of exercise equipment? Essentially, it's a 2.5-pound dumbbell that you shake. Advertisements claim the Shake Weight will give you a full upper-body workout in just six minutes a day. It's targeted at women who want the look of toned arms of shoulders without too much bulk. According to the manufacturer, the Shake Weight's design is "based on a completely new workout technology called dynamic inertia," which makes shaking the weight more effective than lifting it.
Marketing jargon aside, does the Shake Weight really work? Tommy Noel, a reporter for KIDK (Idaho Falls, Idaho), asks body builder Kendall Cameron to perform a full set of exercises with the Shake Weight. Cameron deems the Shake Weight completely ineffective, saying, "There's no tension on the muscle whatsoever." At HealthandFitnessAdvice.com, certified personal trainer Sal Marinello expresses doubts about the Shake Weight's claims, noting that just because you feel something -- fatigue, soreness or a burn -- doesn't mean you're getting a good workout.
The Shake Weight fares slightly better in reviews from lighter exercisers. In a segment for Good Morning America, tester Becky Worley tries out the Shake Weight and awards it a grade of B plus. She says it provides a convenient workout for the arms and shoulders, but warns not to use it around children due to its suggestiveness. A user at Viewpoints.com says the Shake Weight will help get rid of "triceps wiggle," and editors at ExerciseBallAbs.com (be advised, the site has an annoying number of ads) note that it requires less space than dumbbells.
Even exercisers who like the Shake Weight's convenience and ease of use are skeptical of its promise to spot-reduce fat. While it might help you accomplish some toning, don't expect too much; experts seem to agree that the Shake Weight is not a substitute for traditional weight training.
We found some complaints regarding poor customer service on RipOffReport.com, WorldofDiets.com and Amazon.com. One user was reportedly denied a refund on return shipping charges, even though the product arrived damaged. Note that all these complaints stem from problems when ordering the Shake Weight online. If you're going to buy a Shake Weight, play it safe and purchase one from a local retailer.
For prices and store offers visit Shopping.com.