What makes the Homefront different to Slendertone is that gel is not needed, and there are no (often expensive) pad replacements to consider.

The belt itself is not as large as the Slendertone models and it focuses very much on the central core muscles. In addition to the abdominal pad, you also get 2 smaller pads that can be used for the arms and/or legs. Ab toning belts are not new to the UK fitness market and although they have had some hard press over the years there is a reason they are still going strong. We take a look at the best ab toning belts available today and also assess whether or not you will benefit from buying one. The grid on the pads distributes the toning pulses evenly and effectively. This maximises comfort and optimises muscle targeting. The main unit still features its own rechargeable controller that powers the belt and the gel pads are also in use and vital for getting the most out of the belt. There is a screen on the controller but this is mainly used to show whether the unit is powered up and you will need the app to control the belt fully. The programmes on this model are slightly different to the Abs8 and they feature 7 passive and 3 active presets. This model fits a waist size of up to 47 inches which is the highest of all Slendertone models.

I’ll summarise like this: If you can afford the extra money, go for the proven belts with the latest technology from Slendertone. If you are on a budget, or maybe just want to try out a belt before you commit, then there are cheaper alternatives which will work great. We tested the Connect Abs belt with an Android Samsung S9 phone and the initial setup was pretty simple and intuitive. We had heard that some users had experienced issues with connectivity between their phone and their toning belt and this was a major concern for us – but we didn’t experience any issues whatsoever. We did have a fully updated operating software and ensured we had the latest version of the app and perhaps this saved us from any headaches when setting it up.

First, if you have too much fat on your waist, belts are less effective. To work, the small currents need to hit the muscles. If you have fat in the way, the effect will be dampened. We all have a little fat, though if you have a ‘spare tyre’ I recommend you get rid of the worst of it. You can then use your belt to get great results in that final mile! The Abs8 fits all waist sizes between 24 inches and 42inches which is ideal for most people who will likely see a benefit from an ab toning belt. If you find yourself with a waist size of higher than 42 inches then you can either opt for the Abs7 belt or we would suggest pursuing a more all-round fat loss regime that includes training and nutrition. The US firm’s largest unsecured creditor is BMR, which accounts for the vast majority of its entire liabilities of some €16.7 million. It has one employee — Mike Nohilly — who is resident in New Jersey and is also a director. The other directors, Jason Keeley and Keith Gavin, live in Ireland. We have chosen our top 7 ab belts following testing with 5 different people in our office over a 4 week period (Edit: We have then continued to test and added new editions where appropriate). When comparing belts we were essentially looking for comfort, fat loss, muscle definition, visual aesthetic and value for money. The initial setup of the Abs8 toning belt is fairly straightforward and just requires you to apply the gel pads to the correct place based on your own body type. For this reason we would recommend using one toning belt per person rather than sharing.Third, these are an addition to a healthy lifestyle, and not a cure for an unhealthy one. Make sure you are eating well (preferably with a calorific deficit) and exercising. You’ll get the most benefit from these belts if you use them as part of a fit and healthy lifestyle. minutes of use per day is optimum, and you should start to see results within weeks. You will certainly know it is working as the burn you’ll feel during and afterwards is very real – but is nowhere near the same amount of pain as doing hundreds of ab crunches. Once again, I have a detailed article covering this topic. This goes into the science behind EMS and you can find it here. If you want the latest tech, solid customer support and a range of belts / toners which is regarded as the best of the best – then it is impossible to ignore Slendertone.

There are other models, with the Abs3 an interesting example. This is a regular wrap around belt, with a range of intensity levels and that unique Slendertone tech. This one is mid-priced. It comes in only a little above the budget ‘no brand’ models. Keep in mind that you’ll need replacement pads for it after prolonged use. The pads are constructed with highly anti-allergenic, medical grade ‘hydrogel’, which uses water as a conductor between your muscles and the electronic studs on your training device. Considering the low price point of the ab stimulator and how effective it works, it is hard not to recommend this device. It’s highly convenient, very discreet and gives good results – oh and it’s one of the cheapest options on this list. Without the grid, the electrical pulses would not spread as much, leading to greater current density and potentially less comfortable toning sessions. The only real negative other than the level of intensity the EM37 can provide is in terms of overall comfort levels when wearing it. The strap is so large that for those with smaller waistlines the overhanging strap can be off-putting and uncomfortable at times.The US firm made a loss of €324,704 in the first four months of 2022 and, on a balance sheet basis, its current liabilities exceed assets by some €15.6 million. Second, you need to be consistent. If you only use an abs belt a few times, then you won’t see the benefits. You need to use them over a number of weeks, and regularly. Make sure that you are committed before you buy. This is a traditional style, a flat belt which has a padded front and Velcro straps. It fits stomach sizes up to 28 inches. The controller is no separate on this model. This helps to keep the price at the current low level.

The app itself will walk you through your goals when you initially set up and it will deliver programs based on your specific aims. The app will also remind you to start an ab toning session if you are due one and will compare your data to that of other users (anonymously of course) so you can compete against others if you wish. Like the Abs8, you can choose from 5 different programs manually (yes, there are less in total) and you still have 100 levels of intensity – but the ever evolving app will ensure you are hitting your core muscles in all the right places.After a few sessions you will notice the firmness of your muscles after each use and we found a real difference in definition after just a couple of weeks. Of course, we apply the usual caveats here – if you have a lot of body fat then you are not going to reveal abs, but they will get toned. For those with lower body fat there is no easier way to train your abs. Biocompatibility-tested, medical grade hydrogel minimises the risk of irritation (even on sensitive skin). Like the Abs8, the Connect is recommended to be used for 20-30 minutes per day for 5 days per week and we followed this guidance with our tester and used it for 4 weeks. We found that the results were pretty much the same as the Abs8 in terms of aesthetic changes, ab strength improvements and there was a small decrease in waist size. The Slendertone Connect Abs is a great option and is pretty much the top of the range ab toner – if you don’t need the app connectivity then opt for the Abs8, but if you need that extra push and think a bit of healthy competition will keep you motivated then this is for you.