There’s another fitness product that’s creating a craze in America, the Shake Weight.
This fitness equipment came to popularity (or notoriety, some say) due to its suggestive infomercial and consequent mentions of the product on various TV shows. I particularly enjoyed the clip from the Ellen Degenres show (clip included below).
Is it really better than working with a regular diet and fitness program like Truth About Abs which not only can help you get shapely arms but also a flat and sexy stomach? I hope this review will clarify that.
The ShakeWeight is designed to help you tone and work your upper body: arms, shoulders, and chest. The original product was marketed to women but recently a men’s version was also introduced.
The original product resembles a regular dumbbell, is 2.5 pound in weight with a spring on either end. According to the official website, this device works with a method called Dynamic Inertia.
You can see how it works in the short video below:
The claim that the official website makes is that by just shaking this weight for 6 minutes a day is enough to help you get lean and toned arms. You just hold it in various positions and shake it.
This is not an electric product. You create the shaking motion. This back and forth shake is supposed to work your muscles. The claim is that this movement is much better than traditional weight training.
Is this true or is Shake Weight a scam?
There are a few claims that I have trouble with concerning this product:
1. The infomercial suggests that regular weight training causes bulky muscles while the Shake Weight will give the long muscles women crave more. This is a great marketing angle but one whose connection to reality is flimsy at best.
Let me state unequivocally. I believe this suggestion is baseless. Some people just tend to bulk up more than others. There is no connection to weight training.
Most women simply don’t have the genetic and hormonal makeup necessary to bulk up regardless of the kind of exercise they do. Unless you workout at the gym with the specific goal of becoming bulky you shouldn’t really worry about it.
The conclusion is that being afraid of bulking up is no reason to get this product.
2. The infomercial and official website claim that a scientific study proves that the Shake Weight is more effective than regular strength training. But where is this study?
I looked for the study on the official website but could find no reference. This makes me suspicious. I want to see who conducted the study, how it was conducted, and exactly what it found. I can’t really accept only the conclusion of a nameless study without knowing more about it.
Update (March 6th 2010): I was recently contacted by the ShakeWeight team and they sent me a report they received from a simulation company that did a study on the Shake Weight. Let me state that this is a simulation study, not done on real people but it does say pretty good things about the product. For anyone who is interested check it out: Shake Weight Report
3. I don’t believe you can achieve real results by working for 6 minutes a day and that’s it. Toning up really requires you to workout hard and to eat right. I don’t like these claims because they’re very hard to measure and either refute or confirm.
4. But the biggest thing which concerns me about this product are the conflicting ways in which it’s promoted to women and men. While the infomercial for women states that this device helps to avoid bulky muscle growth, the infomercial for men basically promises bulky muscle growth.
What is the truth?
I’ll leave that as an open question to you. Till this is answered, I’ll stick with proven programs like the Truth About Abs.
Shake Weight Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Shake Weight are affordable at $19.95 a piece ($29.95 for the men’s version).
- They’re easy to use and carry with you
- I have no doubt that the Shake Weight does stimulate the arms muscles somewhat
- Has a money back guarantee
Cons:
- There is not truth to the claims that this device gives longer muscles than regular weight lifting
- Makes “scientific” claims which aren’t referenced
- Dumbbells come in many weights, shapes, and forms. This machine has just one weight.
- You can get a better, harder, and more effective workout with regular dumbbells
- Some of the marketing claims for this product seem to be stretching the truth.
In Conclusion
I don’t believe that Shake Weight really works better than regular training. Yes, it looks like fun and it does cause the muscles to flex a bit, but it doesn’t seem to be something that’s worth using and I don’t believe it will get you better results than doing regular workouts especially if you follow a good program.
So, don’t put too much hope in this product. I do think it can make a great gift as a joke.
If you do decide to get this for yourself, make sure to also get a healthy eating plan which is focused on fat burning. I recommend The Diet Solution program by Isabel De Los Rios.
Here is the clip from Ellen I mentioned:
I’m not sure why so many people doubt this product. What this product does is tone up the stabilizer muscles in your arms that support the larger muscles. It may affect the larger muscles like the biceps and triceps but not in any largely visible way. It works in the same way that holding a semi heavy object straight out in front of you for as long as possible will make your muscles burn after a while. Holding the weight straight out uses gravity as resistance. This product seems to you inertia instead. The concept is valid. I have no idea how well the product is built or whether it is made of quality materials, but the theory behind the product is sound. As suggested by others it should be used in conjunction with regular weight training for best results. It is something good to do at idle times like watching television. Unfortunately, I believe that after prolonged use this product will lose it’s effectiveness.
I wish I had taken some before and after pics! Don’t give up, it works! I received one for Christmas from my daughter (its what I asked for) and can’t wait til summer… now if I can just work on the rest of my body too… lol. It works! I’m 50 years old with arms I am proud of, once again.
So I suckered in and bought one from Walmart. The first time I used it with the 6 min workout DVD that came with it it BURNED LIKE HECK! I’ve been using it everyday for weeks (the 6 min workout plus whenever I’m sitting watching TV and think about it) and my arms have seriously toned up. This is coming from someone who doesn’t lift weights or anything, I only jog.
I have no desire to try this product. I hate the commercial and the suggestive remarks that I hear from the opposite sex everytime that stupid commercial comes on. They need to change the ad. I can get a better arm workout doing pushups.
Maybe you should try it out before putting in your opinion. If you don’t want to try then just keep it to yourself.
I bought my shake weight from as seen on tv. No issues with delivery. I thought what is six minutes going to do. Let me tell you, it burns like heck. If it isn’t doing anything then there would not be any burning sensation. I am going to keep using it and see if I get any results.
I just bought one at Walgreens and the 6 minute work out does burn. You have to make sure you are in the right position and grip it well to make sure to shake it. Plus keep those abs tight ad your shake it baby!! Haha.. it is hella funny but it does burn. I also work out throughout the week yet it is cool to add to your work out. As for a miracle, well, excercise & diet works best We shall see what and if it helps me out.
Seems like it would be good for your lympth system, the way a trampoline works. I’m surprised they don’t talk about that on their site.
My question to the person who wrote the article… Why would you review something without even trying the product??? That is like giving a dining review by looking through the window of the restaurant. Shouldn’t you try the food first?
My fiancee and I started using the shake weights today (not trying this instead of working out but along with it.) We leave them sitting out and shake it through out the day when we have a minute. We also are doing the 6 minute workout and it does burn. I already have muscular arms because of the manual labor I do at work. That didn’t matter… I still felt it burn. It has to be doing something.
For those of you who think it doesn’t shake enough… it only shakes as much as you can shake it. It’s not magic.
Point being is that if you pick up a weight and use it, you will get results. Compared to someone who doesn’t pick up a weight. If someone who doesn’t do much physical activity goes and gets one and uses it. Then at least it is getting them somewhat active.
I will post back after my fiance and I use it more. It is something we are doing together and it makes us laugh at the same time as getting a bit of a upper body workout.
Good luck to those that try it!
I tried to buy this online thru their official website, it took forever because apparently i was a lucky shopper and had all these promotional add-ons available. There must have been about 20 different pages it took me to telling me about special offers and other nonsense, all i wanted to do was check out. after all i denied all the special offers it said there was an error and took me back to the beginning!!! I shop online all the time and this was the worst online shopping setup i have ever seen. Im just trying to get this stupid thing for my girlfriend as a gag gift for her birthday, and they are making it very difficult.
I purchased mine at Target last Monday, after a friend posting about hers on fb about it. As much as it seems funny, it actually works. I can tell by this week that when I try it, I can shake better. My arms are burning, but at first I couldn’t hold my left arm up and down and now its at ease.
Ive tried on some jackets today and felt a huge difference in how I felt in them. I do it everyday! and hopefully will tone more!
All I have to say is that the customer service is bs. First they charged me over the phone w/out telling me what my total was, then they ended up charging me for 2. Them when I calles customer service, they said I had to wait 24hrs so that they can make any changes my order. When I called back, they said that it was shiped already and they can’t do anything. I will have to receive it, pay for the shiping, and they will only pay for 20$ woth of the shipping(after they promised a full refund + paid shipping if we are dissatisfied w/ the product. I talked to the manager. She was rude and hung up on me, and they told me that if I have to pay more than 20$ for shiping it has to be out of my pocket. So I am returning it due to the terible customer service I received, and their mesed up system. I might end up contacting the Better Buisness Beure, and report them. I got doubble charges, hung up on, and extra money has to come out of my pocket due to their mistake. Pep think b4 u purchase it. Its at target for 19.99
i hope it work just got my today i got it from ebay.
what the heck? You can always buy it at Target, Walgreens, etc and if you don’t like it, return it!
I am wheelchair bound. My arms are weak (polio) and arthritic and I try very hard to do what I can to exercise them so I can at least transfer. I do already use hand weights, I wonder if this would help, anybody out there who uses it have a clue for me?
I have an even better idea…why dont you go to a gym and diet..Its ridiculous that people want the easy way out? Let me guess eat like a horse and shake the weight off!!
That’s a joke..
You’re right Joseph, everyone should watch what they eat in order to lose weight, but not everyone can afford to join a gym sir.
Yeah, I joined a local gym that had a promotion before Christmas $400 for year family membership. Business has been here for 20 years. Come to find out they closed their doors 12/24 and going out of business. Now I am embroiled in a lawsuit. Screw signing up for another gym.
I purchase my shake weight from a website CarolWrightGifts.com and I try it out and it doesnt seem to shake very much, i shake it myself and nothing happens i though it suppost to shake on it own. Am I doing something wrong? If so, please reply back to me ASAP
I just bought this too. I got home, took it out of the box, and I was like, “This looks fake… is this a joke?” Honestly, it looks like a toy. But I decided to try it out, and it didn’t move very much. I really had to bounce myself to get it to move even an inch. I’ve read tons of reviews today, and haven’t read a one that gave insight on any results. I don’t think we’re doing anything wrong, I’m convinced that the inertia buisness is just a joke. I’m on my way to return it.
You are the one that makes it shake, it doesn’t shake on its own. As you build up strength, it gets easier to use.
I just bought one at walmart because it was fairly cheap and ive always had large arms though the rest of me is ok. I tried it out and it does burn, i think that that part of your arms are problem areas for women because really… when do you ever use your arms? Men work on cars and wax cars and lift everything, their arms get worked out … ours, not so much.
oh wow…thank you for the laugh!
“when do you use your arms” that is gold.
LOL, you know, when you’re vacuuming or cooking or doing laundry or loading the dishwasher. God forbid you should ever wax a car or lift things! That’s for MEN.
I’ve seen it at Target and Wal-mart…doing research to see if I should get one. If anything, the novelty of owning it might be worth the $19.99. I agree the website looks sketchy. I guess i’m just a sucker, cause back in the day it got a thigh master. (That didn’t do anything but bruise my inner thighs). I’ll get one and try it out. Can anyone report on length they’ve been using it and the results?
I think it may be a good finishing workout in addition to your regular workout… I would not depend on the shake weight workout by itself … but the problem is .. do you want to take it to the gym to finish your workout with?? kind of embarrassing dont you think?
there´s a lot of Shake Weight units at Walmart ($19.99) I bought one last week and i think it is too early to say if it works or not…
Anybody know who designed/manufactured this product?? Thanks
I’ve had my shake weight for a couple days. I lift weights and do the resistance band. I thought, for 6 minutes a day, no problem… It is hard to do it for the six minutes. I can tell the muscles burning. too early to see results yet but, from the burn, I’m sure it will as long as I keep it up!
What a crock.
Actually, you’d probably get better results shaking a crock. Add sauerkraut for added resistance. Eat sauerkraut for fat loss.
that is soo funny!
i got mine yesterday at Target… I hope it works. LOL
I also just got one and I hope it works…let me know
It works I can already see a change in my whole arms
chest and my boobs have even toned up I Love it
I tried to order just the shakeweight without the deluxe one and the workout tape, but it wouldn’t let me until I clicked the take advantage of this offer. They chared me for all the B.S…….I don’t think this site can be trusted
I recently ordered Shake Weight online and now I am seriously regreating it. After I gave my card mumber the website site down, I wasn’t even sure that the order went through. I now have different companies taking money out of my bank account. I called the companies and they said they got my card number from Shake Weight, so I called Shake Weight customer service and they were rude to me when I asked about it. They said they didn’t give my card number to anyone that its against the law to do that. Well I know that I NEVER gave my card number to anyone else but Shake Weight. This is the first time I have ever ordered something offline. I asked for Shake Weight corp number and they refused to give it to me. I have used the Shake Weight and I do feel the burn but like you said I don’t think you can trust the website!
Never order anything like this online! They will “secretly” sign you up for a buncha other stuff that charges you automatically! I used to work for Bargain Network (Hopefully you HAVENT heard of it) and we would tack stuff on to peoples credit cards ALL the time. If I were you I would just cancel my card because even if you call them to cancel they will keep charging you.
I purchased this, since I have always had problems with FAT arms. I could never wear a sleeve less shirt and such, but I will tell you..that this works. It toned my arms! and no i still cant wear sleeveless shirts, (cause i need to worout a lil bit more) but my arms look toner, firmer and better than before. so…try it out guys, i know its ridiculous but..it does work.
Mahalo <3
How long have you been using it?
how long have you used it and how many minutes a day/days a week do you use it?
I tried to order one online and had a problem. The next day I got a phone call about my order, couldn’t understand the CS rep (broken English) and I told him to cancel my order. Two days later, I got an email that it was on backorder, I send a reply asking for my order to be canceled, next day another email saying that it shipped, two days later a reply to my email saying the couldn’t cancel because it already shipped. I will be returning my Shake Weight just because of the BS I went through. If I change my mind later, I’ll go to Target (it was advertised in the Sunday flyer).
I just got one as a gift. I can feel it working my muscles. As far as results are concerned it is too early to tell.
They do sell these on the Tesco website for £25
This is an absolute lie, the website is poorly worded, they make up claims to what this product does, they claim its sold in tesco, i spoke to tesco, they do not sell or stock this product at all!
I might buy one, just to sue them.
I bought one today from TESCO in store. Since it’s affordable I got it for the fun off it to try it out and add to my many other gimmicks. I wouldn’t rule out normal dumbbells and I don’t expect a miracle from the shake weight. To get results you need consistency and hard work.
I ordered two of them from the Shake Weight web site two days ago after CVS and Walgreens said they don’t have it. I was hoping to get it in the store so I didn’t have to spend money on shipping and handling. The web site said I would get a confirmation e-mail of my order. I never got it! And after placing my order, a phone number appeared because I never got a confirmation email saying how much the grand total of my order would be! So I dialed the number only to get a recording saying “please dial the 10-digit number you used when you ordered.” I didn’t order by phone since I ordered directly from the Shake Weight official web site! So I guess I won’t know how much these are going to cost as a total until it appears on my credit card statement! Should I trust this web site?
I don’t know their website or the quality of their service. Try contacting them about your charges.
Don’t know where you are located, but found one at Walgreens today (Jan 18, 2010) here in Austin, Texas. There was only one left and it was hard to find, but was with a lot of other “seen on TV” stuff in the back of the store.
found one at target
you need the weight and the resistance that is in the device, it was hard at first but as your arms build up strength it gets easier to work out for 6 min. You also really feel the burn in your arms.
Ok…my husband says it will work but you need something thicker than water to give it more resistance…something like slime. He’s so smart!
Couldn’t you get the same workout by shaking a bottle of water?
I think it works. I purchased one from Target and it really works your arms and your back, it allows you to build up strength in your arms.