The Shake Weight Gets a “Do Not Buy” Recommendation
June 6, 2010 by Sal Marinello
Filed under The Healthy Skeptic
Some really ridiculous fitness products have been brought to market, but the Shake Weight just might represent the cream of the crop when it comes to nonsensical exercise equipment. Based on the oxymoronic “principle” of “dynamic inertia,” the Shake Weight is alleged to give users, “lean, sculpted arms and shoulders.”
Despite the fact that the muscles of the arms, chest, shoulders and back are not moving through a range of motion the makers of the Shake Weight claim to be able to deliver muscle and strength building results. This flies in the face of just about every bit of existing legitimate scientific data on the subject of muscle and strength building.
Furthermore, the muscles of the biceps and triceps are among the smallest muscles of the body, and “exercising” them provides very little stimulus – metabolic or strength/muscle building. There is a lot to learn from the advertisement’s claim that users will, “feel it instantly.”
Just because you may “feel” something doesn’t mean that this something is beneficial or will result in a beneficial outcome, strength/muscle building or otherwise. For example, bend your index finger back as far as possible towards the back of your hand and hold it there. You feel that, don’t you? Does that “feeling” mean that you will derive a benefit from the action? Nope.
The users of the Shake Weight do not provide any of the so-called independent scientific research that is responsible for the creation of this gimmicky gadget. If this research is such a home run and illustrates that the Shake Weight is better than using dumbbells, the makers of this product should be featuring this information on their web site. I did not find any research on dynamic inertia in the vast, online databases of the National Strength and Conditioning Association or American College of Sports Medicine.
Dynamic inertia is a great example of what I call, “Vapor Research;” research touted as proof of effectiveness by an equipment huckster that isn’t provided and cannot be found.
Keeping the upper body in an isometric contraction for any length of time, while holding any implement, is going to induce fatigue. Squeeze the steering wheel of your car while you sit in traffic and your entire body will feel the effects before too long. And this is NOT a good thing.
The submaximal isometric contraction needed to hold the Shake Weight has no dynamic or functional strength building benefits. Furthermore, isometric contraction training only provides benefits to the muscle at the specific angle in which the contraction is held.
So an isometric contraction where the arms are held at a 90 degree angle will only offer strength benefits at this specific angle. Certainly, taking a muscle group/joint through a complete range of motion using dumbbells is much more efficient and effective method of training.
Save your time, money and effort. The Shake Weight gets a, “Do Not Buy,” recommendation.
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I have been using the mens shake weight for about a week now and i am impressed. Two 30 second sets for each workout was about all i could handle. Many people have been bad mouthing this thing but I don’t think they were using it correctly. watch the video, do the full workout if you can, and LOCK YOUR WRISTS!! Out of a score of 100 I would probably give it a score between 80-85. Very good product when used properly.
I saw this on Ellen and thought it was a joke then I picked it up at Walmart to give it a try not expecting much and I was really surprised. You can feel it in your arms, you really tire them out. My arms weren’t toned at all and I am already seeing a difference after a month, doing it 3 times a week.
Wow, that’s a pretty embarrassing admission.
After a note to the BBB who then contacted SW with my complaint…SW credited my CC the SW purchase price and P&H.
This tool does work. As a person over 65, I can see the difference in firming flabby arms. You are doing a disservice to those who need this.
Amazing after reading all the reviews. Is the world obsessed with berating anything that has never been tried long enough to see results. And the person who was outraged not to get a refund after 30 days. The ad clearly states 30 days and she keeps it longer!!!
Get over yourselves people. The Shake Weight is $19.95 at many stores – meaning you have no postage and handling. All the woeful who complain about it can continue to be out of shape and continue to love living a negative daily grind.
These so called “fitness experts” have there own agenda too.The don’t want you to buy something quick an easy an cheap that gets the same results as a 2hour workout because they want you to spend endless amounts of money on them,an if it doesn’t work your only out 20 bucks,what the big deal?
What do you suggest for the bye bye under arm then. What exercise will help. this. My grandkids are always asking me to wave to them so they can laugh.
I read the post, and I wish your commenter would do a little more research. The shake weight does not have you do isometric contractions, they are rapid alternating movements in differing positions, along the same lines as the body blade, and acutally do work and tone the muscles. Ask an excercise physiologist about the physics of the shake weight before you give it a do not buy. I think your commentor needs to give more than just a fluffy opinion, and do some real research, otherwise your website’s reputation could suffer.
Mary
Give us a break. Let’s see some before and after pictures. And marketing lingo/jargon never takes the place of science.
i just bought the mens version and I already feel stronger in my arms.. I mean I do not want to look like the Hulk, but need to burn some of this flab fast. I do realize it looks funny while you are shaking it and you could possibly let it slip and then it gives you a black eye! but for the most part it seems to be helpful. The dude that wrote this bad review needs to use this product anally! He might give it a good review then..
I have used the Shake weight for men for 10 days.. After the 1st week I can see a hughe change in my arms.. They are toned and not flabby.. Six easy minutes a day will make show results.
Your review was based on nearly zero research, had no first hand experience with the equipment and really held nothing of value to the consumer. I bought the Shake weight and have used it, already one up on you. It does indeed tone the upper arms, back of arms, chest, and shoulders. No, it is not a stand alone product and its not a fix all for the upper body, but, for $20.00 its worth the price and its a nice alternative to more conventional weights.
Perhaps next time you will do some actual research, use the product, and offer a review based on more than your personal, uneducated, opinion.
It is really strange to me how personally some people are taking this review. The reviewer should use the product anally? Over the shake weight?
Yes, if you are completely and woefully out of shape, as all the shake weight cheerleaders appear to be, you will probably see results with the shake weight.
You’d also see results doing tricep exercises with a can of soup which is about 18 dollars less than the shake weight…if money is a big concern. You could do tricep pushups on a chair. That’s free, provided you own a chair already for different, sitting-related activities.
But, if you are that out of shape, why are you hanging out on a fitness advice website?
There’s something really suspicious about you people. Srlsy.
This to me is the lazy way of building muscle, that’s if it works.
I agree with this article. Half of the crap sold on the market is just for profit and in no way benefits the consumer. Look at the Ab circle. Swinging back and forth is not going to get you abs and make you lose weight (for those who want abs you have to have a body fat of less than 9%). The same goes for this. You won’t get good results unless you workout with free weights and with cardio to rid of the excess fat.
To build muscle, you have to move your muscles in a wide range of motion, with dumbbells, barbells, weights, etc. A shakeweight isn’t going to do it all because you are barely moving your muscles, for god’s sake it looks more ridiculous than some yoga moves.
6 minutes a day? Ha, Give me a break! I want to see some proof and not some paid advertisers. Scientifically, this is the most ridiculous product.
To lose fat, DO CARDIO, don’t fall for this crap. You can’t shake the weight off. Go for walks, runs, jogs, anything is better than this thing.
Don’t buy it. If you really think this will help in the short or long term, you consumers who believe it works, ar idiots. No offense.
“These so called “fitness experts” have there own agenda too.The don’t want you to buy something quick an easy an cheap that gets the same results as a 2hour workout because they want you to spend endless amounts of money on them,an if it doesn’t work your only out 20 bucks,what the big deal?”
No…just, no. Think about it, if it *really* got the same results as a full workout, everyone would be walking around ripped with minimal effort. The experts are experts because they’ve DONE the hard work.
Also, there is no such thing as “toning” muscles, muscles either get bigger or they get smaller, that’s it. Muscles get bigger by exerting them, and that’s going to be a pretty difficult to do with a 2.5 / 5 lb weight. And being able to “feel it” means nothing. Fill a milk jug with water and shake that or grip your remote control really hard, and you’ll “feel” that too. In addition, a lot of the ‘results’ you might see has to do with increased blood flow to the muscles, which is temporary. This is also common with bodybuilders.
Anyway, seems like some people endorse Shake Weight due to it being affordable, so I’ll give you a little tip. Buy used dumbbells from mom-n-pop fitness stores. The one near me sells used weights at 50 cents a pound, so a pair of 10lbs dumbbells is only $10…HALF the price of the 2.5lbs Shake Weight! You can do a full range of exercises with them and the time is far better spent than on something you’ll throw in the closet and never think about again. Remember people, there are no shortcuts, things in life take hard work. But the reward is well worth it.
“i just bought the mens version and I already feel stronger in my arms.. I mean I do not want to look like the Hulk, but need to burn some of this flab fast.”
Then you’ll be shaking a long time, I’m sorry, it doesn’t work that way. (Even Shake Weight doesn’t promise weight loss.) You burn fat/flab by being at a caloric deficit, typically by a good diet with exercise (longer than a six minute workout). Yes, increased muscle does burn more calories, but not enough to combat a poor diet. For argument’s sake, let’s say the Shake Weight DOES give you more ripped muscles. It still wouldn’t matter, because you won’t see very much of them *until* enough of the flab is burned off to reveal them.
“What do you suggest for the bye bye under arm then. What exercise will help. this. My grandkids are always asking me to wave to them so they can laugh.”
Heh. Unfortunately you can’t spot reduce fat with a certain exercise (popular misconception), the best analogy I’ve heard for this is taking a bucket of water out of a swimming pool…the corner wouldn’t be lower, but the entire level of the water. The body burns off what it burns off, everyone is different. As I said in the last comment, good diet and exercise. Michelle Obama is popular for her arms, and how she got those arms was waking up at 5:30AM every morning and working out with a trainer, not with a Shake Weight
What the commenter needs to realize is that this could really help your range of motion for elderly people. They have a tendenacy to not work out a lot and this is easy and affordable. Once they feel stronger they will want to go to some other type of exercise plan. Motavation is what they need and I think this is a great product to do that. I am 66 and have very little muscle control and can’t raise my arms without discomfort. Using this has helped me to be able to reach up in my cabinets to get something without pain. Try this on elderly and see how this helps them. It’s easy and can be done anywhere.
Maybe the shake weight works and maybe it doesn’t. If you haven’t tried it first hand over a long period of time then you have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about. You might as well be saying Bose speakers are great! They look really fancy and hey, they’re Bose but unless you’ve used them in your own home you have no proof. This may be a different market, but it’s the same thing the writer of this article is doing.
Even if the Shake Weight does not work, what the hell
it’s your money and do what ever you want with it!
I will try and see for myself
and if they get rich from this product, good for them
At least they are doing something !
I could use a little SHAKE
Not everyone wants to work out with a trainer shannon..and who has that kind of time and money nowadays? Listen, the shakeweight it awesome..but like any other exercise, once ur body gets accostomed to it, it becomes null and void..p90x is where its at..shock those muscles..make em work..if ur fat, cardio it is..if u wanna get bulk? cut back on the cardio and eat tons of “healthy” carbs..all the time..jeez..u guys suck and seeing the tree yet missing the forest..see the forest people..the shake weight is cheap and its new..nothing like cheap and new to get a person excited about being healthy..and to the fellow talking bout chair exercises…plz buddy..that’s how u stay fat..doing the same boring ass routine week..p90x..and I’m gone
I bought the shake weight about a month ago, it seems to be working really good, and in my opinion it isn´t a minimal effort instrument.
Yeah I know it isn´t the same as lifting weights but after using the 6 minute dvd for 4 or 5 times a week (I use it everyday)you´ll really start seeing results, I recommed you to use it. It´s a funny workout, you can use it with the dvd or while you’re watching tv, and really, after 10mnutes of workout you start feeling tired, BELIEVE ME, hahahahah…
This article calls the manufacture’s of the product out on the lack of research to prove their claims. Some readers then cuss the author out for “not doing research” and cite anecdotal evidence in defense of the product!
Get a grip people, or are those of you doing this shills? Seriously, the burden to provide evidence via research is on the makers of the product, not the author of the article.
If the manufacture’s have research to prove their claims, and it’s honest and properly done, then let them do so otherwise it’s just marketing speak. If you like the product then that’s fine, but you can help by doing some of your own research.
Measure your starting condition before using the product, record changes as they occur while using the product over a certain time. See if there is an overall change from using the product once you reached the end of your experiment. Make note of anything that may have contributed or hindered your successful use of the product. Try and draw some meaningful conclusions from your experience.
Just remember, the author didn’t miss the manufacture’s research as they didn’t provide any.
Look at all the paid “reviews” that come out of the wood work to say how get this product are.
You are all full of it. This product would do nothing for people. Get your flabby ass to a gym and lift some real weights.
Here is an idea, get a gym membership or go to your local YMCA and actually, you know do a real workout instead of wasting money on a total hack device.
You don’t need a trainer, a basic workout is easy to compile and there are so many online resources that will help you create something that’s tailored to your needs…You also just have to push yourself, but i doubt people buying this thing are willing to do that.
Shake weight does work the first time i used it i got a muscle that i had never seen when i flexed my arms. You are just skeptical about this just because you are sick minded just like everyone else, it’s time to grow up.
Bottom line is, do you see results relative to your baseline, does it work for you? Does not matter what anyone thinks, I was curious so I integrated into my normal free-weight workout as both warm-up and specific muscle group complement and results are definitely tangible, the muscle pump is more intense and sustaining when strategically implemented. Now before you get all defensive about your way of life, not saying this could not be achieved some other way but just giving some real testimony. Just another tool to add functional variety to your workout, get creative and you can get blood flowing in just about any muscle group. So do not know about its function as stand alone item but works as part of my system and keeps monotony at bay.
I have no idea what this publisher is talking about. I just purchased the shake weight today and my arms are shaking right this second. I work out regularly and I expect GREAT results from the shake weight. I definitely suggest buying this product.
Why would ANYONE wanna look like youre jerking off? just do that and youll get results as well and pleasure lol.
Seriously though it just looks dumb and worthless… do pushups and pullups… its free for one.
Common sense people!!!! Losing weight and getting fit/tone IS NOT EASY!!! If it was obesity WOULD NOT EXIST !! Losing weight, staying fit and muscle toning/building is a life change. Not some measly shaking dumbbells. Get off your lazy butts buy some weights or go to the gym and do the exercises. That will give you real, life long results!!!!
I am a martial artist and hold a brown belt in Tae Kwon Do. I bought shake weight out of curiosity and was surprised to find out that it actually worked. Used correctly, it will tone your muscles. It enhances the push up regiment that I do everyday. The writer of this article should try to use the product correctly before giving it a negative review.
That’s embarrassing. There is no such thing as toning muscles. C’mon. The Shake Weight people must be really sensitive to have to generate these phony responses in response to my expert opinion.
You know Ashlie, you’ve really changed my mind. A real person, without any attachment to Shake Weight, feels a difference in only one or two workouts. It MUST be true and all the science that says it doesn’t work is FALSE. Thanks so much for opening my eyes!
Been using the shake weight for men for two weeks and I am impressed…wife even commented that my arms are getting larger…I can see and feel the difference in the biceps and triceps…
I alternate days between some of the exercises (work the biceps one day, triceps the next…)
Can’t say enough good things about it…
I’m going to get the ladies version for my wife and son tonight !!!
Don’t waste your money. My arms are very tone (at almost 50). I eat right (6 small meals a day)… Yes, it’s a hassle but I carry stuff with me so I can eat every few hours with protein, carbs, veges or whatever the combo is for that meal or snack. I use a .50 toning band and I do about a 15 minute workout every morning or evening depending on when I can work it in. I am almost 6 feet and am a size 6. I DONT waste my money on gimmicks or gym memberships. I eat right and use my toning bands. IT works because my metabolism is constantly revved up by eating every few hours and NOT eating a bunch of salt/sugar.
Put down the salty, sugary foods and start eating right. I can’t afford a personal trainer either AND don’t need one because I figured it out in my 30’s after five children. Yes I was FAT…. 295 pounds after my 5th child… Ick… I now weigh 140 pounds am 6 ft tall and can wear a size 6. DO IT RIGHT and it will last for life.
The shake weight is NOT a miracle cure. People over 50 and beyond get up and move and your flexibility will be improved. My mother is 80 and is running Marathon’s because she has refused to sit down or get lazy. I DONT run and I DONT do massive amounts of exercise. I use my toning bands, eat right and most of the time I’m going here there and yon with 5 children and my snacks in tow.
i read all your opions , here is mine not that i matters but here it is . i have had shake weight for about a week, reason why have no way of getting to a gym or take one with me i am a truck driver in a wieght sensitive operation can’t get an 80 foot tractor trailer into most stripmalls cause they have blocked us out. so i need to do something this was a simple and it does not weight much and its simple to do and at least its something.
Wow! I bought the shake weight. Fat? No. Out of shape? No. I bought it because the two strokes I had made my left side very weak. my dumbbells weren’t working fast enough. After two weeks using it I could lift the 55 lb saddle onto my horse and lift the shovel with no problem. Saves me time as well! Obviously it works for me.
Oh ya, I don’t hang out here, I googled it.
If the principle behind the Shake Weight actually worked, my right arm would be much bigger than my left, from a very similar range of motion.
(Think about it…you’ll get it. Haha)
To all those who doubt Shake Weight, just look at boxers who do speed bags, and tell me if that’s not working out. (Shake Weight is even harder than speed bag because of the weight). Try to emulate speed bag with Shake Weight (hand at eye level), and see how long you can go at it.
I don’t think Shake Weight will increase muscle size, but the short burst, opposing motions (up-down-up-down-right-left—–) certainly help with definitions on shoulders, chest, biceps and triceps. Plus the duration of workout (minutes per set) instead of 20-30 seconds (for 15 reps of whatever) really keeps your muscles tight, and eventually that tightness become definitions.
But don’t give up your regular weight training because definition may mean looking good but does not equal to strengths. Your muscles still need to experience adequate weight throughout a full range of movement (like curling, or should press), to build up real strengths. So I say Shake Weight is a great complementary aid to regular weight/strengths training, but definitely does not replace.
I’m going to be serious, this Shake Weight literally looks like somebody is jacking off. And when I first saw the comercial, I couldn’t help but laugh at such a product! I really thought it was a joke. But as I read the reveiws I certainly do believe this product works. As a 14 year old girl who’s in soccer and karate; I definately would like to try that out! It looks so awesome!!!! But I’m sure I won’t be able to take it seriously when working out. I think this is the best thing yet! =D
Just got my shakeweight for men in the mail…i used it for 1min and i could feel it! IT DOES WORK! i will give another review once im more intoit but so far im thouroughly impressed!
not a comment aimed directly at this device, but I read a comment (the last one) that states “I don’t think Shake Weight will increase muscle size” the following is then posted in the same paragraph “certainly help with definitions on shoulders, chest, biceps and triceps.”
You can’t “define” an area without muscle growth, unless you burn fat/calories (but that’s an overall body thing, you can’t “target” fat loss)…but that’s a whole other topic and a few minutes of this “shake weight” will not do anything in that area.
I have been working out for years, recently purchased this product, was very skeptical but for 30 dollars thought why not give it a shot. This product works people, find it amusing that the majority of people knocking this product have not actually used it. Just about everyone who has USED it speaks very highly of it. And by no means is this an easy workout, for each exercise I have yet to go past 60 seconds for any individual workout. It’s worth the 20 or 30 dollars, nice addition to your workout.
First of all the shake Weight is a tool meant for people who exercise on a regular basis.
Do not expect results of the ordinary. You must see some muscle on your before you can
expect to results. Always start strength work with body weight such as push up and pullups
you always do cardio before strength this very essential. Never
do the opposite . After you finish push ups and pullups then do weights .
Always remember the basics they always need you be done. For example if your a seasoned or
professional driver does that mean you do parking because too basic. Nooo!
Fundmentals always matters. Remember the shake weight is a tool for exercise.
It should used after lifting weight. Just because advertiser say it better than lifting weights does that mean don’t lift weights. Learn to think for self . Advertisers use physicology. They know people.
In the end remember your matters the most don’t expect one tool to do all the work.
I know workout looks silly but it really works . Always do anothers work outs first , pushup pull ups weights then the shake weights it sounds like a lot but hard work pays off. The goal always to look
ripped don’t cheat or take steroids . There are never shortcuts. They would not sell the shake weight
if doesn’t work. I not every that sold out there works. It on you to be a smart consumer. Buy consumer report magazine. The perfect push up works excellent. Always do research.
do lift weights?
I have to agree with the tried-and-tested science behind this article, but when I bought the “shake weight” on a whim and tried it out, I have to say I was very impressed with the muscle fatigue I got in only less than a minute. And it wasn’t just one muscle… it worked a group of muscles simultaneously! I’m not sure how effective this would be for strength building, but it’s definitely a stamina-builder.
Very true that there’s no “full range of motion”, but unless you’re a professional body builder I think that anything that causes a person to get up and exercise is never a bad thing. And unless you’re stupid enough to hit yourself with this thing it seems very safe to me otherwise, and a good gadget for older folks to use. Though, honestly, if you want something more than a tougher upper body, you do need to do cardio to lose the fat.
Final verdict? I think it’s a good addition in a home gym, and probably safer to use than free weights. It can’t “do it all”–I don’t think it will build massive muscles but it will definitely give your stamina a work out. I know that for a fact!
I don’t have a shake weight, because they cost too much, but I though I’d try just shaking my fists in the air every day for 6 minutes and I’ll be damned if my arms arn’t getting bigger and much more tone after just 3 days.
Alright, it is true that the gimmicky claims made to sell this product are just that gimmicks. No one is going to get in great shape with the use of a single product or through one single exercise. Does this product work? Yes. Is it going to give you the body or arms you want? No.
This is just another item you can add to your arsenal when planning a workout. Scientific research does in fact show that it is beneficial to increasing strength in upper extremity muscles. The shake weight works much like a body blade. It creates instability at the glenohumeral joint which causes muscles such as the biceps brachii, triceps brachi, coracobrachialis, and all four muscles of the rotator cuff to isometrically and eccentrically contract…if the exercise is done correctly.
All the nonsense of a muscle having to be moved through a full range of motion to create strength gains is false. The muscles of the body produce the most force in isometric and eccentric contractions. So there will be strength gains with this product, but only if a workout is done correctly and progressed in a manner that increases the intensity of the workout.
In addition, the product has been tested in the Exercise Science Department at San Diego State University and has been proven to be effective. This article in the LA Times breaks it down simpler and quicker than I could..
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/may/10/health/la-he-skeptic-20100510