6A • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
FRIDAY, FEB. 1, 2002
Students ambivalent about ab gadgets
Bv Summer Lewis
By Summer Lewis Kansan staff writer
From the AbTronic to Fast Abs, effortless abdominal devices are dominating the latest TV infomercials, promising a fast path to a washboard stomach.
"Just 10 minutes is the equivalent of 600 sit-ups," the Fast Abs TV commercial announcer says. "Believe it or not... it's just $39.95 shipping and handling with a 30-day money back guarantee!"
JILLIAN THORPE/KANSAN
The AbTronics TV announcer says the machine is so effortless a person can be watching a favorite television program, reading a book or even cooking dinner while getting his body into the shape he wants it.
"With consistent use and a balanced diet you'll start seeing results in about four weeks," the announcer says.
According to the Fast Abs Web site, www.tvinventions.com, the machine uses "safe, gentle, massage-like impulses that stimulate muscle contractions."
Vincent Lei, Topeka junior, said that he got an abdominal machine two years ago.
"I used it a lot when I first got it," Lei said. "I could tell a bit of a difference."
He said that depending on how high it is turned up or down, it felt like a cramp in the abdominal area.
Some KU students have tried devices such as the AbTronic and have noticed little or no difference. abdominal machines.tricity passing through the
"You'll have it on for about 45 minutes at a time." Lei said. "There is an initial shock when you first turn it on, which causes a discomfort that you used to. After using it, your body gets sore because it is working the muscles."
Lee Bittenbender Lawrence dermatologist, said he had never seen a problem related to using these types of
"The electricity causes the contractions," Bittenbender said. "I would be concerned with the harm that the electricity passing through the skin could cause, but they may have it all worked out."
Kevin Will, Overland Park sophomore, said he bought
an AbTronic for $90 because he was lazy and thought it would be easy to use.
He said that the machine was popular with his friends but not his parents.
"Actually, I have been too lazy to even strap that thing on around my waist, but I have used it a few times and can't tell a difference." Will said. "I just got it right before break."
"My parents told me that there was probably better ways to spend 100 bucks," he said.
According to WebMD.com, the electrical muscle stimulator devices have been used successfully in physical rehabilitation, but no studies in 2001 have conclusively proved that the machines help people lose weight or reduce body fat.
Contact Lewis at
slewis@kansan.com. This story was edited by Kyle Ramsey.
CLEARING
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
Reyes said that, with the bad weather, breaks weren't as regular.
He said that the combination of snow and ice made the remnants of this storm especially difficult to eliminate.
"This is probably the hardest snow I've ever had to move, and I've been here almost 22 years." Reves said.
About 25 to 30 tons of salt and two and a half tons of chemicals were applied to campus, said Larry Rawlings, assistant director of construction.
James Moutray, equipment operator, said he didn't think students knew how many manhours went into making campus clear and safe.
"A lot of them probably don't appreciate the fact that we're making it clear for them to go to school," Moutray said. "They just think we're messing up their sledding routes."
Snow and ice aren't the only problems facil
“This is probably the hardest snow I've ever had to move, and I've been here almost 22 years."
T.J. Reyes
maintenance supervisor
ities operations have had to deal with.
"There's an enormous amount of tree damage. There's at least a week's worth of work for landscaping to clean up," Riat said.
Despite being short-handed, Riat expected to be prepared for classes to be in session today.
"I'm hopeful that we will be ready by six o'clock tonight." Riai said yesterday.
But as it began to snow again yesterday afternoon, workers were doubtful.
"I hope it doesn't get too bad," Reyes said. "If it does, we'll never get done."
Contact Bayer at cboyer@kansan.com. This story was edited by Sarah Warren.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
MODEL
tinker with Legos." Bradbury said. "I knew I was going to be in architecture since I could sneak."
Since the display was last updated in 1995, many building projects, including the Horeisi Family Athletics Center in 1999, the Hilltop Child Development Center in 2000, and the Murphy Hall expansion in 2001 have occurred.
Gaylord Richardson, associate professor of architecture, recommended Bradbury for the project, which will be paid for by the KU Mem-
To demonstrate his ability, Bradbury created an addition to the Joseph R. Pearson Hall for the model.
Pat Beard, director of building services at KU Memorial Unions, said he was impressed by Bradbury's work.
"In that sense, he gave us an idea of the quality work that he is going to put into it," Beard said. Beard said the project would cost the Unions about $4,750 in material and labor.
Fraat meets at apracht@kansan.com. This story was edited by Joanna Miller.
Contact Pracht at
Students discover defrosting cars a daunting task
Jessica Tims Kansan staff writer
One of the worst ice storms in Kansas history left two inches of freezing rain and four inches of sleet on students' cars, rendering an ice scraper nearly ineffective.
mimetic.
"I just pounded on it with my fist to break the ice," said Andrew Hillin, Topeka senior. "I also used an ice scraper."
Hillin said he removed ice from his car on Wednesday, which made it easy to clear his car yesterday.
ter day. Chad Mallory, Kansas City, Kan. senior, de-iced his car yesterday even though he was staying home for a second day in a row.
"I'm just going to warm it up and then use a scraper to get the ice off," Mallory said, as he knocked ice from his car parked in front of Oread Apartments, 12th and Oread streets. "I'm getting ready to go to work tomorrow in Kansas City."
Beating frozen cars is not the best way to remove ice, said Mark Camp, manager at Advance Auto Parts, 1501 W. Sixth St. He said the proper way to thaw a car was to let the car run and melt the ice or use a product made to remove ice.
"There is spray that you can use on your windshield." Camp said. "But with a lot of ice like we had this week, it can only do so much and you are still stuck scraping."
Camp said another common mistake was throwing hot water on a frozen car. Hot water on frozen glass can cause breakage, he said.
Students who didn't want to defrost their cars had the option of taking the Lawrence Transit System, known as The T, said Karin Rexroad. Lawrence public transit administrator. The T had an increase in the number of riders since bad weather hit, she said.
The T reported 791 riders Wednesday. That is 114 more riders than the daily average for the month of January, Rexroad said.
"There are a lot more people now because they just don't want to get out," she said.
Contact Tims at tjims@kansan.com. This story was edited by Brooke Hesler.
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