Flex Belt vs Slendertone: Comparison | Slendertone Reviews & Flex Belt Reviews

What is the best ab toning belt? Produced by the same trusted Irish manufacturer, BioMedical Research Ltd., both Flex Belt and Slendertone are high-quality medical-grade ab stimulators that have been cleared by the FDA and clinically tested by independent university researchers. They have differences, though.

The Flex Belt offers as many as 150 intensity levels compared to 99 levels in the Slendertone. It features a more durable, flexible, and temperature-resistant material.

On the other hand, the Slendertone brand has a wider range of products designed not only for the abdomen and bottom but also for arms and face electrical stimulation. More importantly, it offers inexpensive models under $90 and is a great choice for those on a budget. So the battle results are the following: the Flex Belt is a winner in the “Best Overall” category while the Slendertone is “The Best Budget Option”.

Flex Belt vs Slendertone Belt

Both products are made by a trusted manufacturer, BioMedical Research Ltd. Headquartered in Ireland, this international company has been producing electric muscle stimulation products for about 50 years, conducting research and development as well as clinical trials. While both the Flex Belt and Slendertone brands use EMS technology, they have their own strengths and weaknesses. Okay, let’s compare them!

• Features. The Flex Belt comes with a greater number of intensity levels (150), compared to the Slendertone that has only 99 levels. Why is it important? The more intensity levels the abs toner has, the more efficient the session is. You can select the most comfortable intensity level as well as switch between them to obtain better results. The winner: Flex Belt.
• Material. The Flex Belt is made of polyester and neoprene while the Slendertone is produced from nylon. Neoprene is more durable, flexible, and withstands a wider range of temperatures. Nylon is less comfortable and tends to restrict movements more. The winner: Flex Belt.

• Target Areas. The Slendertone has a wider product range compared to the Flex Belt, which offers only two models. One of these models targets solely the abdomen area and the other one stimulates bottom muscles and is designed for women only. The Slendertone has not only different styles of abs toning belts but also bottom toners, arm muscle trainers, face toners, and a bundle of three products for an advantageous price. The winner: Slendertone.
• Reliability. These products have been clinically tested, with the trial results showing the same effectiveness. After 1.5-month clinical trials, 100% of users of both the Flex Belt and Slendertone said their abs felt more toned and over 92% of them noticed that their ab muscles became firmer. It is a draw.
• Weight. The Flex Belt is a little bit more lightweight (19.7 ounces) compared to the Slendertone CoreFit (19.8 ounces). The more advanced model from Slendertone is heavier and weighs as many as 32 ounces. Following the logic that more lightweight belts are more comfortable to wear, the winner is Flex Belt.
• Price. While the Slendertone has pricier options, its most popular abdominal trainer belt costs less than $90, which is around half the price of the Flex Belt toner. For those on a budget, the choice is obvious. The winner: Slendertone.

As you can see, we have a clear winner in this battle of ab toning belts, the Flex Belt, unless the price is not the main criterion for you.

Slendertone Reviews

The Slendertone offers a wide range of stimulators and toners for arms and abdomen at a price ranging from $86 to $180. Now, let’s take a closer look at them.

The Slendertone CoreFit Abdominal Toning Belt will give you 30 minutes of effortless ab workout a day. It features 10 programs and 100 intensity levels that can be adjusted based on your needs. The belt will tone all your four ab muscle groups, providing a guaranteed result. It has a unique ergonomic design, fitting around your body's natural curves, and is very comfortable in use. You may tone your muscles while at work or relaxing at home or while on the move. But keep in mind that the more you increase the intensity, the more you feel muscle contractions. The abs toning belt can cause muscle contractions up to 150 times per half an hour. With more than 500 customer reviews, the product rates 4.2 out of 5 stars.

Slendertone CoreFit Abdominal Toning Belt: Check the current price

If you are looking for a smart toner, opt for the Slendertone Connect Abs. It is twice as pricey as the previous item but has the advantage of being controlled from the app. You can use your smartphone or tablet to control the belt so that it tones your abdomen discreetly, no matter where you are. With the Slendertone app, you can track your progress, personalize coaching, and receive reminders. While being powerful, the belt is super lightweight and can be safely worn under clothes. It targets the central abdominal muscles, tightens the waist, and works external obliques. Over 60% of the buyers gave the product 5 stars, describing it as a “game-changer” and an “excellent” device.

Slendertone Connect Abs: Check the current price

Another option is the Slendertone Abs5 Abdominal Muscle Toner that provides a complete workout for muscles of your abdomen using EMS technology. It is equally perfect for beginners and athletes. The abs toning belt has different waist sizes and offers a greater number of adjustable intensity levels — up to 130. In addition to the ab muscle toner belt, the purchase includes an electronic controller with an LCD audio and visual display, three adhesive gel pads, a travel pouch, and three AA batteries. The product rates 4 out of 5 stars and has many positive reviews. One of the buyers says that he has been using the device for years because it keeps his stomach flat. Another buyer notes that the Slendertone toner is a good complement to the existing diet.

Slendertone Abs5 Abdominal Muscle Toner: Check the current price

To firm your bottom area, use the Slendertone Bottom Toner featuring 4 programs and 99 intensity levels. For beginners, a 15-minute program will be sufficient while more advanced users should opt for a 25-minute or a 30-minute program. The kit includes a multi-use rechargeable controller that also works with other Slendertone devices stimulating the abdomen and arms. It takes for the controller 3 hours to recharge. Note that if you want to obtain the desired results, you should use the product at least 20 minutes a day five times a week for 6 weeks.

Slendertone Bottom Toner: Check the current price

For those who want to target arms, there is the Slendertone Arms Muscle Trainer. It will make your triceps and biceps stronger and firmer. The device offers 99 intensity levels and three training programs. The first one, conditioning, is a moderate program that takes just 10 minutes. This option should be used before you move to more powerful programs. The second program will strengthen your biceps and triceps and will last 12 minutes. The 15-minute Power program is the strongest one. It uses short yet powerful muscle contractions, ensuring a sustained effect. The controller is rechargeable, meaning you will not have to spend extra money on purchasing new batteries.

Slendertone Arms Muscle Trainer: Check the current price

In addition to these products, the Slendertone has a wide range of accessories, such as gel pads, belt extenders, a charger, and a controller. There are also face toner gel pads and a bundle consisting of a toning belt, bottom toner, and an arms toner. All three products come at a great price.

Flex Belt Reviews

The Flex Belt brand offers two popular products for $130 and $160. There is a versatile Flex Belt device for stimulating stomach muscles, upper and lower abdomen, and the Flex Mini designed specifically for women.

The Flex Belt Abdominal Muscle Toner

You can hardly find a more reliable ab muscle stimulator on the market. Not only is it the first FDA-cleared medical-grade device of this kind. It was also clinically tested by independent scientists and has proved to be almost 100% effective. The technology has been used by healthcare professionals for decades and is time-honored. This abs toning belt stimulates the main stomach muscles, as well as causes the contraction of the upper, lower abdomen, and the obliques. But keep in mind that it typically takes several weeks before you see the effect.

The product has 10 programs, 8 of which are core programs and 2 are bonus ones, and 150 intensity levels. For a light training level, you should choose the Beginner program with a session duration of 20 minutes or a 40-minute Endurance program. The Intermediate, Advanced, and Crunch programs provide a moderate load while other ones are intended for a strong ab workout.

Using the muscle toner properly is essential to success, too. So the Flex Belt box includes the belt itself, a controller unit, which is a computer that makes the technology work, gel pads, a recharger, a carrying bag, and a manual with detailed information and tips. First, charge the unit for at least an hour before you begin. Then, unfold your belt, place the gel pads on electrodes built in the belt, with the large gel pad going in the middle. The side gel pads are supposed to lay over your obliques. Note that while the pads are reusable, they need to be replaced after 20 sessions of stimulation. The belt fits different waist sizes ranging from 24 to 47 inches.

With more than 2,200 customer reviews, the product has received 5 stars from more than half of the buyers. They like that it is durable, versatile, and easy to use. Some buyers do not like that the belt does not give immediate results. For example, Eric says that the device does tone muscles but he had to use it nearly daily for three weeks to see improvements.

The Flex Belt Abdominal Muscle Toner: Check the current price

THE FLEX MINI Accessory Pack - Bottom Muscle Toner

To tone your bottom, opt for the Flex Mini. The device is used with the Flex Belt controller, which is sold separately. This high-performance EMS system will firm and strengthen the muscles of your buttocks and backs of your thighs. The manufacturer notes that the device should be used at least five times per week over the course of two months to be effective. Developed for different levels of user experience, it includes 4 training programs with 99 intensity levels. The product comes with 4 medical-grade pads and a carry pouch.

The Flex Mini is so convenient that you can tone your muscles almost anywhere, whether you are at work or at home watching TV. Designed specifically for women, it can be comfortably worn under clothes. Although the Flex Mini has fewer reviews than the previous item, it seems to gain more customer satisfaction. Many buyers recommend using the toner in combination with workouts. For example, you can do it while exercising on the elliptical. In this case, you will obtain “quick and fantastic results”.

THE FLEX MINI Accessory Pack - Bottom Muscle Toner: Check the current price

Expert Opinion: John Porcari, Professor of Exercise & Sport Science, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Dr. Porcari has personally conducted two in-depth clinical trials on the Flex Belt. Here is what he says about this product:

“You can wear the Flex Belt just doing anything: walking around, doing things in the kitchen, doing your everyday chores. The Flex Belt would be beneficial for a wide range of fitness levels. If you take people who are unfit and are not used to exercising, they can use the Flex Belt and see results very, very rapidly. When people arrange the intensity on the Flex Belt going up to 150, that is going to challenge even the fittest persons. Even people with low back pain will have a tremendous benefit using the Flex Belt”.

As for Slendertone, Dr. Porcari highlighted the following benefits:

“One of the nice things about Slendertone is that it works all three major muscles in your abdomen simultaneously. You have your rectus abdominis, which is the muscles straight down in your abdomen. And then you have your external and internal obliques, which are on the sides. Normally, if I was into regular ab exercises, I would have to do straight, forward, and back exercises, as well as some twisting and turning-type exercises. The Slendertone works off three muscle groups simultaneously because the pads are located over the middles as well as the sides”.

Slendertone CoreFit Abdominal Toning Belt: Check the current price

EMS Technology in Ab Belts: Effectiveness | What Scientists Say

In a nutshell, EMS devices can strengthen, firm, or tone muscles in the short term. That said, no EMS product has ever been cleared for muscle building or weight loss. This is not the direct effect of electric muscle stimulation.

Your muscles naturally contract, responding to signals sent from your brain. The EMS technology mimics this process. When an electric current is applied through the electrodes placed on your skin, the muscles will involuntarily contract. Scientists from the University of Delaware point out that there is a significant difference between natural and involuntary muscle contractions. While the former recruits small motor units first, EMS stimulation changes this order. An electrical current bypasses some process and easily flows through neurons, it provides a stronger and quicker effect. More importantly, the electrical current activates all motor units located in the treated area at once.

The studies cited by the Delaware University researchers demonstrate that EMS sessions make athletes stronger and perform better. In particular, it positively affects their jumping and sprinting abilities. Trials on rugby players show improvements as well, both in strength and power. After a one-month trial, soccer players demonstrated better kicking power.

It is not just athletes and physically active people that benefit from electrical muscle stimulation. The therapy is also helpful for those with health issues. Scientists from the University of Athens investigated the effects of EMS on muscle strength in ill patients. They came to the conclusion that such therapy is beneficial not only for directly stimulated muscles but also for those that have not been affected by the treatment. According to the experts, EMS is “a promising means of muscle strength preservation and early mobilization in critically ill patients”.

Customers Reviews

Now, let’s take a look at what buyers say about these abdominal trainer belts.

Flex Belt Reviews

Youtube user JaaackJack has published a video showing her using the Flex Belt in real-time.

“This device goes all the way up to 150, right now, I am at level 60. And I can definitely feel it like tightening and flexing my abs. I do not know whether you can see that, but it tightens them for a second and then releases. It is not something you can ignore, you definitely feel it”.

Another Youtuber has covered both advantages and disadvantages of this product. The strong points are that the Flex Belt is FDA-cleared, easy to use, and there is a money-back guarantee.

“Everyone is looking for a simple way to get toned and get in shape. Well, it does not get much easier than putting on a belt that does the work for you. While it is not super comfortable, it is not as uncomfortable as your run of the mill abdominal workout.”

Slendertone Reviews

In her Slendertone review, Annie B answers the question of whether this abs toner really works.

“I started off with the essential toning and then I have gone into fitness and advanced toning. I have really enjoyed all those programs. Each one has been a little bit different. Different intensity, different feelings. It does hurt! I felt really strong and I felt really good, and for me that is amazing. It helped me in so many ways. But I think you need to be doing other stuff to actually get the full benefits out of it.”

Youtube user BodyByViKnoxville says that the Slendertone is a great choice for those who want to get stronger and firmer abs.

“I have been using mine for a while and I have had it on 50. I can absolutely feel it contracting my abs right now. Now, the question still remains, “Does the Slendertone belt live up to the claim that in just a few short weeks, you are going to get firm, toned, and strong abs. Well, I can tell you this much that in the 20 minutes that I have had my Slendertone belt on, I definitely feel the electrical muscle stimulation. So, I am going to have to say, yes, you can probably tone and firm your abs.”

5 Best-Selling Flex Belt and Slendertone Products | Comparative Table