The Contour Core Sculpting™ System FAQ’s
Is the Contour muscle stimulator safe?
Yes, the Contour muscle stimulator uses the same technology as has been used in physical rehabilitation in sports medicine for over 30 years. But, Contour Technology has cleaned up the waveforms that are used for damaged muscles so it can be used on healthy muscles to get great contractions and help build muscle strength and tone. Contour's Swisswave technology uses same brainwave that is used for heart pacemakers. This Class II medical device is cleared for sale by the U.S. FDA for the specific purpose of strengthening, tightening, firming and recovering healthy muscles. It is safe and easy to use. (No prescription is necessary.)
How soon before I can see results?
Results are dependent on many factors. Increasing strength or power can happen relatively fast and the speed of improvement is proportional to the intensity level. The higher the intensity, the faster the results. Increasing muscle tone or improving shape is more subjective. Diet or proper eating habits play a vital role to any visual changes desired. The Contour Core Sculpting™ System uses an eating plan that will enable a person to safely lose body fat while maintaining muscle mass. Since over 50% of the body fat is right beneath the skin, as bad fat is decreased, the muscles will be more visible and thus any change in shape or muscle tone will be more evident. That being said, some results will occur immediately after the first session. Other results will take more time. It is reasonable to notice a variety of results in 2-3 weeks. The longer the product is use and the higher the intensity will enable faster results. Please keep in mind there is a point of diminished return and more is not always better. Exercising smart means choosing the appropriate level of intensity that you can comfortably tolerate on a consistent basis.
Will the product cause muscle soreness?
As with all exercise, some muscle soreness can be expected. The proper term is called DOMS or Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness. This usually occurs 24-48 hours after strenuous exercise. Muscle soreness is caused by the breakdown of muscle fibers. During recovery, muscles will rebuild and develop more resistance to exercise and become conditioned to better tolerate exercise. If too much muscle soreness occurs, use a low intensity level until your body becomes acclimated to the device. Then, gradually increase intensity.
How do I know when to replace the Contour Technology™ Gel Pads ?
If the signal is getting weaker, even though the batteries are still OK, it usually indicates that the Gel Pads are losing their conductivity or effectiveness. Typically, Gel Pads are changed every 30 – 45 days assuming daily use of the product. If you are increasing the intensity or power on your device and you don’t feel as much flexing of your muscles, it may be time to replace your Gel Pads.
Can the Contour Core Sculpting™ System help me reduce my lower belly pouch or spare tire?
Yes. The clinical observation study concluded that “inches” were lost in the upper, middle, outer and lower abdominal region. Spot reduction is a very difficult benefit to achieve. With traditional exercise, the body tends to lose bodyfat and inches in layers, meaning you will not lose inches in one specific area. With the Contour Core Sculpting System, you should expect to lose inches in a variety of areas in the abdominal region. Diet and exercise also play an important role in achieving “inches off” goals. The Contour Core Sculpting System is a complete system that has an exercise and sensible eating program to go along with the Contour CoreBelt.
The stimulation is a little uncomfortable. How can I improve this?
There are two ways to maximize comfort while using the Contour CoreBelt. One way is to adjust the intensity of the device down to a desired level of comfort. The Contour muscle stimulator has an intensity range of 0 to 100% power. While higher intensities are typically more effective, the body takes time to get used to a specific intensity or power level. The second way to improve comfort is to make sure the Gel Pads are located in the right position. Since your muscle nerves are located just beneath the skin, having the Gel Pads more directly over the nerves (motor neurons) will allow for more muscle activity at lower intensities. If the Gel Pad is too far away from the nerve (motor neuron), then intensity must be increased and discomfort may occur.
Why does the intensity percentage drop down during the program?
During the warm up phase of the program you will likely use a level higher than you would be during the exercise phase. If it were to remain the same % you might be a little startled going from a warm-up to an intense contraction. Therefore the device automatically drops the % down to give you the opportunity to increase the exercise % to a level that right for you.
The Gel Pads won’t stick to the belt even though they are relatively new.
Make sure you remove the protective cover entirely before mounting the Gel Pad on the garment. This protective layer is marked for the Garment Side. Simply peel the paper completely off. Ensure that you are placing the Gel Pad to the BACK side of the Contour garment. There will be marks showing where to place the Gel Pads. If you have mounted and removed the Gel Pads numerous times, the adhesive may be worn out. The Gel Pads are not meant to be applied and removed routinely. They are meant to be applied and left mounted until the time they need to be replaced.
The Gel Pads don’t feel very sticky like when they were new. Does this mean they are worn out?
Not necessarily. There is no correlation between stickiness and conductivity. In other words, the level of stickiness has no effect on how good the Gel Pads are conducting the electrical impulse.
Why can I feel tingling in my legs or areas other than my abs during a Contour CoreBelt™ session? What can I do?
The Contour muscle stimulator emits an electrical frequency that will stimulate nerves (motor neurons) that are located beneath the Gel Pads. Since the Gel Pads are large, it is possible to have some minor stimulation of other nerves located near the site of the Gel Pads. Adjust the Gel Pads slightly away from the area being unintentionally stimulated and the condition should improve.
Why does my skin have some redness under the Gel Pad after a session?
Some degree of redness may be caused by an increase in blood flow to the area. This is a result of the excitation of muscles by the device. Muscle activity can cause in increase in blood flow to the exercised area. In some cases, there may be a skin reaction if the form of a minor irritation caused by the adhesive in the conductive gel. This is rare, but in the event this is the cause, simple clean the irritated area with soap and water to remove any of the gel material.
My waist muscles are exercising but not my stomach muscles. Why?
If set up properly according to the QuickStart Guide, the Contour will work the UPPER, MIDDLE, OUTER and LOWER ab muscles. Different muscles have different levels of excitability. It is possible that the level of intensity on the device is strong enough to excite or stimulate some muscles, but too weak to effectively excite other muscles. One of the benefits of electromuscle stimulation is that over time, the body will develop more efficient responses to stimulation. Motor neuron pathways will become more efficient and the body will adapt to higher levels of intensity. The Contour allows for targeting specific muscles so it is possible to adjust the level of power going into specific muscles.
How often should I work my abs?
The clinical observation study was conducted over a 12-week period. The participants exercised with the Contour CoreBelt™ for one 30-45 minute session, 5 times each week. Keep in mind that the Contour muscle stimulator programs has a 5 minute warm-up and 15 minute cool-down phase, so in a 45 minute session, the abdominal muscles are exercised or flexed for 30 minutes. It is possible to work your abs every day.
Can the Contour help me reduce my lower belly pouch or spare tire?
Yes. The clinical observation study concluded that “inches” were lost in the upper, middle, outer and lower abdominal region. Spot reduction is a very difficult benefit to achieve. With traditional exercise, the body tends to lose bodyfat and inches in layers, meaning you will not lose inches in one specific area. With the Contour, you should expect to lose inches in a variety of areas in the abdominal region. Diet and exercise also play an important role in achieving “inches off” goals. The Contour Core Sculpting™ System is a complete system that has an exercise and sensible eating program to go along with the Contour muscle stimulator and CoreBelt.
Can I use the Contour to treat muscles weakened from lack of use or due to injury?
The Contour muscle stimulator is not intended to treat or rehabilitate injured muscles. There are other devices with specific electronic frequencies designed to specifically treat damaged muscles. The Contour muscle stimulator is great for post-injury or stimulating weak but healthy muscles. It is more efficient to work post-injury muscles or weak muscles with the Contour because the muscles can be specifically targeted, which is difficult with most traditional forms of exercise where the risk of injury or re-injury is high.
Can I use the Contour for post-natal exercise?
Remember to always check with your physician before beginning an exercise program after giving birth (i.e. post-natal). It is typically recommended to wait at least 6 weeks and preferably 12 weeks before resuming or beginning and exercise program after pregnancy.
Are there different size CoreBelts?
No, Contour has one size that fits virtually everyone. The Contour’s innovative design allows for easy adjustments for small or large framed people.
Can I use the Contour if I have back problems?
Always check with your primary care physician if you have an injury. If your back problems are muscular or circulatory in nature and NOT disk related, then ANY type of strength training program will benefit you. Electromuscle Stimulation (EMS) exercise is the world’s most efficient form of exercising the muscles so this would be a wonderful method to help eliminate back pain due associated with activity.
Can I use BOTH the abdominal and low back panels at the same time?
Yes. To exercise both the abdominal muscles and low back, you will need to use the Core Enhancement BackCare™ kit that is sold separate from your Contour Core Sculpting System.
Is the Contour difficult to use?
No. There is a QuickStart Guide that comes with your Contour. It takes less then 5-minutes to set-up and get ready to use. When the product is ready, simply “peel off” the protective covering on the Gel Pads and place the Contour CoreBelt around your waist with the Gel Pads in contact with your skin. The top of the CoreBelt should be about the height of your navel. If the Lead Wires are attached to the Gel Pads, simply turn the device ON, select a program and the product begins immediately.
Who can use the Contour?
The nice thing about Electro Muscle Stimulation or EMS is that people of all ages can use this technology. Whether you are 18, 80 or anywhere in between, you can use the Contour muscle stimulator. Please read the Owner’s Manual for contraindications, but if you have epilepsy, heart disease or are pregnant, please consult with your primary care physician. If you have weak, tired, or old muscles that need an efficient way to gain strength, firmness or tone, then the Contour is for you.
How does your 100% satisfaction guarantee work?
If you are not completely satisfied after trying the Contour Core Sculpting System for 30-days, simply call the Customer Care telephone number, request a Return Authorization number and ship the complete system back to the required address. You are responsible for the cost of shipping the product back. We may ask you some questions to get a better understanding of why you want to return, but you are not required to have a reason.
Can I use rechargable batteries in the Contour M2 Muscle Stimulator Device?
Yes. It is best to use Hi capacity NiMH rechargeable AAA batteries, due to their long life, strong power per charge cycle, and they have no measurable memory effect!