Review: Slendertone EnerVive
October 7, 2008
You wouldn’t know it by looking at me, but I used to love running and was in pretty decent shape before I got pregnant with my son thanks to 8 months abroad. Whether it’s intentional or not, backpacking trims and slims like no other workout!
I don’t often blog about fitness because I feel like I should set an example if I’m going to pretend to be an expert impart my expert opinion. I am actually extremely passionate about health, wellness, and fitness and am hoping that will transfer into measurable weight loss!
Beth at Role Mommy offered me the opportunity to review Slendertone’s EnerVive Muscle Conditioner. Having had some experience with EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) I was very interested to see how effective a consumer version could be. The basic premise behind EMS is that an electric impulse delivered to the muscles elicits a muscle contraction. EMS has been approved by the FDA and is used to rehabilitate and strengthen muscles. It is also used as a complement to sport training because of it’s ability to enhance muscle performance by increasing strength, improving endurance, and speeding up recovery.
When I was in high school, I sustained a back injury after a horse decided that I was weighing him down. I primarily sustained muscular injuries and was sent to physical therapy to assist in my recovery. The therapist utilized EMS to help my muscles heal and return to normal functioning.
The hands-free EnerVive unit allows you to select from six different muscle conditioning programs including excercise preparation, endurance and strength building, and exercise recovery. Despite it’s initial appearance, it was actually really easy to set-up. You insert the battery, apply the pads to one of seven different targeted muscle areas, and select your program (you may need some help placing the pads on your back). You can manually control the intensity of the contractions with the unit. You also have the option of varying the pre-set contraction-relaxation cycle via the Trigger mode. When utilized, you’ll be able to control the length of the contraction.
I’ve been using the EnerVive unit for about a week for exercise recovery after walking/running. I have to say that my muscles have not really been sore after working out which is most likely due to the system (and good stretching!). I’m actually going to start using it on my abs in hopes that I can do something to tone this baby belly! I’ve been trying to think about how to describe the way EnerVive feels…it’s almost like a sustained muscle twitch (but that’s not entirely accurate because it actually feels relaxing, not annoying like a muscle twitch).
In summary, I’ve compiled a list of the pros and cons.
Pros:
1. The unit is approved by the FDA
2. The unit is very easy to use
3. The unit allows for numerous variations in settings
4. It is effective for relaxation and muscle recovery
5. EnerVive is a high-quality, professionally designed unit
Cons:
1. At $179.99, it’s definitely a luxury
2. When you open the manual, you’ll find four pages of warnings, contraindications, and precautions which can be a little
3. Pads will need to be replaced after 20-30 sessions (a set of three retails for $49.99)
For more information on EnerVive and all of the products offered by Slendertone, visit their website!
Giveaway: Elmo’s Christmas Countdown
October 7, 2008
*Update*
This giveaway is now closed. Thank you so much for stopping by. The winners are Janet F, Tiffanie W., Denise B., Tarah, and Steph. Congratulations! Be sure to stop by for more giveaways!
Can you believe that Christmas will be here in 2 1/2 months? I know you’re thinking about trick or treating and pumpkin carving but it’s never too early. To kick the holidays off I’ve got several great giveaways you’re going to love.
On October 14, 2008, Elmo’s Christmas Countdown (which originally aired on the ABC Television Network in 2007) will make it’s debut on DVD. Be sure to stop by after the release date for my review. Here is a little blurb about the movie:
“It’s a Christmas miracle” when Elmo and Abby Cadabby attempt to save everyone’s favorite holiday in Elmo’s Christmas Countdown. The official countdown to Christmas is at stake after Oscar the Grouch throws the Christmas Counter-Downer and it’s magical counting blocks into the air and they get scattered all over Sesame Street! Abby Cadabby, Elmo and Stiller the Elf set out to find the blocks with the help of their friends and along the way learn the true meaning of a miracle as they attempt to save the day by restoring the countdown to Christmas. Featuring special guest appearances from Sheryl Crow, Jamie Foxx, Charles Gibson, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Hudson, Kevin James, Alicia Keys, Brad Paisley, Ty Pennington, Steve Schirripa, Tony Sirico and Ben Stiller leads the Yule-time adventure as the voice of Stiller the Elf.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OJcmQ4XCes&hl=en&fs=1]
You can purchase Elmo’s Christmas Countdown for $14.93 directly on the site.
Win It! 5 readers will win a copy of Elmo’s Christmas Countdown! Head on over to the Sesame Street Store and take a look around. Come back and leave me a comment with the name of another product your child might enjoy. Comments will close on October 14, 2008 at 10 pm PST and I will announce the winner here the following day. One comment per person, please. US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.
Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. That means you can gain up to a total of three entries!
Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.
Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.
