Sauna Belt Too Good to Be True

Manufacturers and diet pill companies never stop coming up with ways to bilk the public out of their hard-earned money with promises of quick-fix weight loss "miracles." The latest, but not greatest, product claiming to melt off the pounds is the Velform Sauna Belt. If you haven't suffered from insomnia lately, you may have missed the informercial. The Velform Sauna Belt is a wide electric belt that wraps around your midsection. The belt works like a portable heating pad, causing you to sweat and melt fat and flush out toxins. The belt includes a tape measure, to measure your "fat loss" and a diet plan, just in case the $49.99 belt doesn't deliver, you can lose weight the old fashioned way.

I was skeptical, but ordered the Sauna Belt, not expecting much. Fortunately, the Sauna Belt delivered exactly what I expected- some intense heat, but nothing to cause the buckets loads of sweat that the infomercial showed. Before fastening the Sauna Belt around my waist, I measured my waist with the included tape measure. I secured the belt as shown in the instructions, and waited. The belt never got hot enough to make me sweat and after 45 minutes, I removed the belt and measured myself again. There was no change in the measurement, and even if there had been, it would have been water loss and not fat loss. One tall glass of water and the "weight" would have come right back on.

The Sauna Belt does not work as a weight loss device, but for pain relief, it does a fair job. Both back strain and menstrual cramps were relieved by the Sauna Belt and wearing the belt at the computer prevented back strain. The belt does get very hot, and causes the skin to get very red. Burns are possible of care is not taken, or if the belt is worn for long periods. It does not work any better than a regular heating pad, which can be found at most retailers for under $20. The power cord is just five feet long, so don't expect to get up and move around much with the belt on. There are non-electric wrap belts that provide the same effects without tethering you to a wall outlet.

The Velform Sauna Belt is a great example of "If it sound too good to be true, it probably is." The Sauna Belt makes great promises of weight loss, but it proves there is no easy way to lose wight.