Get ripped, not ripped off, with exercise equipment.

You really can’t remove the “work” from “working out.”  (Sketchers tried with its Shape-Ups, until the government stepped in saying simply wearing sneakers cannot be leg-strengthening.) The consumer protection agency also warns against exercise stuff claiming to be:

Quick, easy, and effortless.

Advertisers promote shoes, clothing, equipment and pills, saying you’ll lose weight. But they don’t back up their claims with sound science.

It’s even worse  when they’re selling supplements. In the last few years, the Food and Drug Administration says it’s discovered hundreds of dietary supplements containing drugs or other chemicals, often in products for weight loss and bodybuilding. These extras generally aren’t listed on the label — and some were even sold false claims like “100% natural” and “safe.”

Able to fix your problem areas.

Promises that you can effortlessly burn a spare tire or melt fat from your hips and thighs are tempting. But while the FDA says some electronic muscle stimulators can temporarily firm a muscle, none of them have been cleared for weight loss, girth reduction or for obtaining, “rock hard abs,” it says on it’s website. What’s more, it’s gotten  reports of shocks, burns, bruising, skin irritation, and pain associated with the use of some of these devices. Plus they can interfere with implanted devices, such as pacemakers and defibrillators.

Look at these before-and-after photos.

You can look at them, just don’t believe them. Those “satisfied customers” – even those who are celebrities – probably spent months in the gym and years eating healthy. And maybe a couple of minutes having their photos altered.