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Industry peak body Fitness New Zealand has released a statement, based on research by exercise professional William Sukala, slamming a piece of exercise equipment commonly advertised on New Zealand television.

Sukala, a Clinical Exercise Physiologist at Pinnacle Medical Exercise and currently completing his Ph.D in Exercise and Sport Science with a research focus on obesity and diabetes, performed a comprehensive review of the Ab Circle Pro, a exercise product frequently seen on New Zealand television infomercials.

In his findings, which were peer-reviewed by other industry experts, Sukala found that not only were the claims in the infomercial unsubstantiated, but they consistently contradicted basic exercise physiology concepts.

FitnessNZ Chief Executive, Richard Beddie agrees saying âItâs unfortunate that so many advertised exercise products through infomercials make inflated claims without any basis and, in many cases, also reinforce common health myths, such as spot reduction (the idea that exercising a particular body part will result in weight loss from that area).

"Perhaps most concerning, these ads advocate weight loss well above the maximum safe level recommended by exercise and health professionals.

"I believe the only reason that products of this type sell at all is that they rely on quick fix solutions that have no chance of working. When it doesnât work, people don't return it because they don't want to admit they failed, even though it was the product that set them up to fail."

Beddie encourages anyone who has this product to contact the company they brought it from for a refund. If they refuse, then take a claim in the Disputes Tribunal using Sukala's research as proof.

As Beddie explains "in New Zealand we are fortunate to have a registration body for exercise professionals (the NZ Register of Exercise Professionals - REPs), so it's extremely important to ensure you get your exercise advice from a Registered Exercise Professional, not TV advertisements or ex-sports people peddling products."

The age-old advice to make long term changes in diet and exercise habits still rings true and is the best bet for healthy, sustainable weight loss success.

For further information contact Richard Beddie on 0800 668 811, E: Richard@fitnessnz.co.nz

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