"Fast Abs" Promoters to Pay $5 Million

July 23, 2003
Three companies and their principals have agreed to pay more than $5 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that their Fast Abs belt did not produce six pack abs without exercise as they advertised.

Under the settlements, the defendants are permanently banned from representing that Fast Abs or any similar device causes users to lose inches or fat; gives users well-defined abdominal muscles; is equivalent to or superior to ordinary abdominal exercise; or helps produce any of those results.

In May 2002, as part of Project ABSurd, the FTC filed complaints against three popular electronic abdominal exercise belts

Fast Abs, AbTronic, and AB Energizer. These devices had been heavily advertised in some of the most frequently aired infomercials on national cable channels in late 2001 and early 2002. The FTC complaints alleged that the marketers falsely advertised that their electronic muscle stimulation (EMS) devices would cause fat loss and inch loss, and give users well-defined, washboard or six pack abdominal muscles without exercising.

The Fast Abs defendants recently agreed to settle the FTC charges. In the AbTronic case, on July 1, 2003, the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada ordered summary judgment in favor of the FTC and against five of the seven defendants. The AB Energizer case is still in litigation.

Fast Abs Case

The FTCs May 2002 complaint against Fast Abs named United Fitness of America, LLC and Tristar Products, Inc. The FTC is amending its complaint to add eBrands Commerce Group, LLC, a Nevada company that is the parent company of United Fitness.

The FTCs complaint alleges that the defendants falsely represented that Fast Abs causes fat loss and inch loss, and gives users well-defined, rock hard abdominal muscles. The complaint also alleges that the defendants falsely advertised that use of Fast Abs for 10 minutes is equivalent to 600 sit-ups and is more efficient and effective than regular exercise.

The complaint further charges that the defendants deceived consumers by claiming that Fast Abs is safe for use over the chest and by failing to disclose that Fast Abs is not safe for all users. Finally, the complaint alleges that certain defendants made false statements about their refund practices and warranty policies.

Under two separate settlements, the defendants will pay a combined sum of more than $5 million.

AbTronic Case

On July 1, 2003, the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada granted the FTCs motion for partial summary judgment against five of the seven defendants in the FTCs action against the marketers of the AbTronic, the electrical muscle stimulation device that the defendants claimed would cause users to lose inches and obtain washboard abdominal muscles.

CONSUMER HOTLINE
Consumer purchasers who want more information should call the FTCs Ab Belt Hotline at 202-326-3343.