Testing Ridiculous Fitness Product Claims: What Works and What Doesn't

In today’s blog post, we’re diving into some of the most outrageous fitness product claims, from peanut butter that supposedly can’t be stored as fat to a drink that promises to make you invincible. Join me as we test these claims, separate fact from fiction, and explore what actually works.

The Claim: Digestibly Corrected Peanut Butter

One of the most talked-about products is the Professor Nuts peanut butter, which claims to have 40 calories because your body supposedly can’t absorb the fats. The secret ingredient they tout is cyclodextrin, which binds to fat and prevents absorption. However, my skepticism leads me to question the science behind this claim.

After consulting with a nutrition expert, it became clear that the amount of cyclodextrin needed for this product to be effective would far exceed what’s actually in it. If they used enough to make a difference, the taste would be compromised, and the product would become unpalatable. Additionally, the study they referenced had only six participants, and measuring fat absorption through DEXA scans rather than stool samples raises further doubts about the validity of their claims.

The Claim: Cooling the Hands for Increased Performance

Next up is a claim that cooling the palms of your hands can increase workout capacity by 300%. This assertion is based on a study where participants who cooled their hands outperformed a steroid group in bench press tests. However, I find it hard to believe that simply cooling your hands could lead to such significant improvements.

While it is true that keeping your body temperature down can enhance performance, a 300% increase seems exaggerated. A more realistic expectation might be a 3% to 10% improvement, which is still significant but far from what’s being claimed.

The Claims on Pre-Workout Products

Several pre-workout products also make bold claims. For example, one product, PR Lotion, asserts it can lead to a 25% increase in high-intensity intervals before exhaustion, a 16% increase in total weight lifted, and a 53% reduction in delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). While these numbers might seem feasible, they should be taken with a grain of salt. Many factors, including mental state and caloric intake, can greatly influence workout performance.

Other Noteworthy Products

Among other products tested, the David Bar was found to have good macros, but its price is significantly high compared to other bars on the market. While it’s not a scam, it’s essential to consider the cost-to-benefit ratio when choosing protein bars.

Conclusion: Skepticism is Key

In the world of fitness products, it’s crucial to remain skeptical of bold claims. Whether it’s peanut butter that promises to be calorie-free or cooling your hands for power gains, many products can exaggerate their effects for marketing purposes. The best approach is to do thorough research, consult with experts, and prioritize products that have substantial evidence supporting their claims.

Key Takeaways:

Many fitness product claims are exaggerated or misleading.
Consulting with nutrition experts can provide clarity on questionable products.
Realistic expectations for performance improvements are essential—300% is unlikely.
Always consider the cost-to-benefit ratio of fitness products.

TLDR Summary

This blog post explores outrageous fitness product claims, such as peanut butter that can't be absorbed and cooling hands to increase workout capacity by 300%. Many claims are exaggerated, and skepticism is necessary when assessing these products.