Shake Weight
Encyclopedia
The Shake Weight is a modified dumbbell
that creates a vibrating effect to work out muscles. As a result of the perceived sexually suggestive nature of the product, infomercial clips of the exercise device have gone viral
.
The female version weighs 2.5 lbs. Per official company press releases, "Based on a groundbreaking workout technology called Dynamic Inertia, which engages the muscles in the arms, shoulders and chest in an entirely new fashion, the Shake Weight increases upper body muscle activity by more than 300% compared to traditional free weights". The company website further adds that the product has "scientifically proven results" and that the user can "get incredible results in just six minutes a day, sixty-five days a year". In comparison, the male version weighs twice as much at 5 lbs.
The product appears to be based on "vibration plate technology—machines that vibrate to make the muscles relax and contract several times a second—thought to enhance the impact of exercise". In practice, once the user starts moving the dumbbell, it creates a vibrating effect to work out muscles. This action "is supposed to tone upper biceps
, triceps and shoulders".
Fitness IQ, the manufacturers of the Shake Weight, released a study of the male version of the Shake Weight which allegedly shows how it produces a higher quality workout than regular weight lifting.
as "slightly pornographic". Following its July 2009 debut, clips from a Shake Weight infomercial
quickly went viral. The viral YouTube
clip has more than 4,000,000 views.
Among its many appearances on television shows, Shake Weight was tested on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
, and This Morning
, a British talk show
. The Shake Weight commercial has also been parodied on Saturday Night Live
, The Daily Show
, Two and a Half Men
, South Park
episode "Crème Fraiche
", the Regular Show
episode "Do Me a Solid" and A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas, as well as a promo for the new 2011 episodes of Beavis and Butt-head
, the English model and wife of English footballer Steven Gerrard
, launched the UK
version of the Shake Weight. Gerrard said, "I use the Shake Weight every day and my arms have never looked so good. It really works."
Dumbbell
The dumbbell, a type of free weight, is a piece of equipment used in weight training. It can be used individually or in pairs .-History:...
that creates a vibrating effect to work out muscles. As a result of the perceived sexually suggestive nature of the product, infomercial clips of the exercise device have gone viral
Viral video
A viral video is one that becomes popular through the process of Internet sharing, typically through video sharing websites, social media and email...
.
Product specifications
The Shake Weight has a female and male version, though was initially released as a product "designed specifically for women".The female version weighs 2.5 lbs. Per official company press releases, "Based on a groundbreaking workout technology called Dynamic Inertia, which engages the muscles in the arms, shoulders and chest in an entirely new fashion, the Shake Weight increases upper body muscle activity by more than 300% compared to traditional free weights". The company website further adds that the product has "scientifically proven results" and that the user can "get incredible results in just six minutes a day, sixty-five days a year". In comparison, the male version weighs twice as much at 5 lbs.
The product appears to be based on "vibration plate technology—machines that vibrate to make the muscles relax and contract several times a second—thought to enhance the impact of exercise". In practice, once the user starts moving the dumbbell, it creates a vibrating effect to work out muscles. This action "is supposed to tone upper biceps
Biceps
Biceps may refer to:*Biceps brachii muscle, a muscle located on the inside of the upper arm*Biceps femoris muscle, one of the hamstring muscles of the back of each thigh*Biceps , a point in a metrical pattern...
, triceps and shoulders".
Fitness IQ, the manufacturers of the Shake Weight, released a study of the male version of the Shake Weight which allegedly shows how it produces a higher quality workout than regular weight lifting.
Reception
Shake Weight has gained popular attention and parody due to the fact that its use involves pumping a phallic object. The product's commercials have been described by Diane Mapes of MSNBCMSNBC
MSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
as "slightly pornographic". Following its July 2009 debut, clips from a Shake Weight infomercial
Infomercial
Infomercials are direct response television commercials which generally include a phone number or website. There are long-form infomercials, which are typically between 15 and 30 minutes in length, and short-form infomercials, which are typically 30 seconds to 120 seconds in length. Infomercials...
quickly went viral. The viral YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
clip has more than 4,000,000 views.
Among its many appearances on television shows, Shake Weight was tested on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show, often shortened to Ellen, is an American television talk show hosted by comedian/actress Ellen DeGeneres. Debuting on September 8, 2003, it is produced by Telepictures and airs in syndication, including stations owned by NBC Universal. For its first five seasons, the show...
, and This Morning
This Morning (TV series)
This Morning is a British daytime television programme broadcast on ITV. As of September 2011, its main presenters are Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, and Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes, with various other presenters standing in for illness or contributing to sections of the programme.The...
, a British talk show
Talk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
. The Shake Weight commercial has also been parodied on Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
, The Daily Show
The Daily Show
The Daily Show , is an American late night satirical television program airing each Monday through Thursday on Comedy Central. The half-hour long show premiered on July 21, 1996, and was hosted by Craig Kilborn until December 1998...
, Two and a Half Men
Two and a Half Men
Two and a Half Men is an American television sitcom that premiered on CBS on September 22, 2003. Starring Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, and Angus T. Jones, the show was originally about a hedonistic jingle writer, Charlie Harper; his uptight brother, Alan; and Alan's growing son, Jake...
, South Park
South Park
South Park is an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. Intended for mature audiences, the show has become famous for its crude language, surreal, satirical, and dark humor that lampoons a wide range of topics...
episode "Crème Fraiche
Crème Fraiche (South Park)
"Crème Fraiche" is the 14th episode and season finale of the 14th season of American animated series South Park. It is the 209th episode overall. It first aired on Comedy Central in the United States on November 17, 2010. In the episode, Stan's life is reduced to shambles both at home and in school...
", the Regular Show
Regular Show
Regular Show is an American animated television series created by J. G. Quintel...
episode "Do Me a Solid" and A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas, as well as a promo for the new 2011 episodes of Beavis and Butt-head
Beavis and Butt-Head
Beavis and Butt-head is an American animated television series created by Mike Judge. The series originated from Frog Baseball, a 1992 short film by Judge. After seeing the short, MTV signed Judge to develop the concept. Beavis and Butt-head originally aired from March 8, 1993 to November 28, 1997...
Product developer
FitnessIQ is the developer and marketer behind the Shake Weight. Johann Verheem is FitnessIQ's CEO and Shake Weight's inventor.Sales
By August 2010, a reported two million Shake Weight units had been sold for a total of $40 million in sales.Endorsements
In January 2010, Alex GerrardAlex Curran
Alex Curran is an English model, fashion columnist for the Daily Mirror and the wife of Liverpool and England footballer Steven Gerrard. She is described as a leading "WAG" of the England national football team, along with women such as Victoria Beckham and Coleen Rooney...
, the English model and wife of English footballer Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard
Steven George Gerrard MBE is an English footballer who plays for and captains Premier League club Liverpool. He also has 89 caps for the England national team. He has played much of his career in a centre midfielder role, but he has also been used as a second striker and right winger...
, launched the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
version of the Shake Weight. Gerrard said, "I use the Shake Weight every day and my arms have never looked so good. It really works."