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Pump Fiction

he benefits of exercise are well-documented. Unfortunately,

thatís not always the case with advertising claims for exercise

equipment.

Some advertisers claim ó without evidence ó that their exercise products offer

a quick, easy way to shape up, keep fit, and lose weight. The truth is, thereís

no such thing as a no-work, no-sweat way to a healthy, toned body. Deriving

the benefits of exercise requires doing the work.

Before you jump into the next home fitness fad, the Federal Trade Commission

(FTC) offers this advice: Exercise good judgment and evaluate advertising

claims for exercise products carefully.

T
Facts for Consumers

Evaluating Claims

Read the performance claims critically. Be

leery of those that say the equipment or device

can:

provide easy or effortless results or burn

excessive calories. The claims may be true

for athletes in top physical condition, but

not for most people.

help you burn more calories or lose weight

faster than other types of equipment. In

general, exercise equipment that works the

whole body or major parts of it probably

helps you burn more calories than devices

that work one part of the body. And, the

more you use the equipment, the more

calories youíll burn. Thatís a good reason

to select equipment that suits you and your

lifestyle. A study might show that one type

of equipment burns more calories per hour

than another type. But if the exercise is

uncomfortable ó or the equipment hard to

use ó chances are it will gather dust ó not

help you burn calories.

help you ìspotî reduce; for example, help

you trim your hips or lose the proverbial

ìspare tire.î Toning and losing weight in

one particular area of the body require

regular exercise that works the whole body.

Your weight depends on the number of

calories you eat and use each day; increasing your physical activity helps you burn

extra calories.

Always read the fine print. The advertised

results may be based on more than just the use

of the machine; they also may be based on

restricting calories. The fine print may explain

this. Even if it doesnít, keep in mind that diet

and exercise together are much more effective

for achieving a healthy, toned body than either

tactic is alone.

Be skeptical of testimonials or before-and-after

pictures from ìsatisfiedî customers. Their

experiences may not be typical: Just because

one person had success with the equipment

doesnít mean you will, too. As for those popular celebrity endorsements, they, too, are no

proof that the equipment will work as claimed.

Finding the Right Equipment

After youíve evaluated the advertised claims ó

but before you make a final purchasing decision

ó consider these questions:

Will the equipment help you achieve your

desired goal ó whether itís to build

strength, increase flexibility, improve

endurance, or enhance your health?

Will you stick to the program? Keeping

with an exercise program can be rough:

Think of all the basements, rec rooms and

yard sales stocked with costly stationary

bikes, treadmills and rowing machines that

have gone unused and now serve merely as

places to hang clothes. Before you buy,

prove to yourself that youíre ready to act on

your good intentions.

To help you choose the best equipment for your

needs, check out consumer and fitness magazines that rate exercise equipment. Then test

various pieces of

equipment

at a local

gym,

recreation

center

or

retailer

to find the

machine or

device that feels

comfortable to you.
Facts for Consumers

Shop around: Exercise equipment advertised

on TV or in newspapers or magazines may be

available at local sporting goods, department

and discount stores. That can make it easier to

shop for the best price. Donít be fooled by

companies that advertise ìthree easy payments

of ...î or ìonly $49.95 a month.î The advertised price may not include shipping and handling fees, sales tax, and delivery and set-up

fees. Ask about the costs before you close the

deal.

Get details on warranties, guarantees and

return policies: A ì30-day money-back guaranteeî may not sound as good if youíre responsible for paying a hefty fee to return a bulky

piece of equipment you bought.

Check out the companyís customer and

support services. Call the advertised toll-free

number to get an idea of how easy it is to reach

a company representative and how helpful he or

she is.

You may get a great deal on a piece of fitness

equipment from a second-hand store, consignment shop, yard sale, or the classified ads. Buy

wisely: Items bought second-hand usually

arenít returnable and donít carry the warranties

that new equipment does.

Whether used or new, home exercise equipment can be a great way to shape up ó but

only if you use it regularly. Donít be taken in

by claims of quick, easy and effortless results:

Thereís no such thing as a no-work, no-sweat

way to a toned body.

For more about electronic muscle stimulators,

see www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/ems.html.

For More Information

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent

fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid

them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or

call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-

4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters

Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other

fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel,

a secure online database available to hundreds of

civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in

the U.S. and abroad.
Federal Trade Commission

Bureau of Consumer Protection

Office of Consumer and Business Education

November 2003

F C EDERAL RADE OMMISSION T FTC OR HE ONSUMER

1-877-FTC-HELP www.ftc.gov

Facts for Consumers