This was one of those "I gotta try this" pitches that came my way. A gel from Lab Series that can help give you six-pack abs. Awesome. I can finally stop the endless crunches that don't seem to be having any effect other than to cause sweat and soreness.

Except that's not the case. It's not magic abs in a tube. You can't eat like you're going to the electric chair, rub some of this on and, boom, six-pack. But it does have an effect to make the abs you are working hard on, get some more definition. So I gave it a shot.

Rubbing on their Ab Rescue gel tightens, tones, firms and smoothes the skin. There's a cooling and tightening sensation as the gel dries. (And you'd better let it dry. A warning on the label says the stuff is flammable until it dries. Seriously. Flammable.)

The "energy- enhanced thermogenic formula" (thermogenic... flammable... I'm putting it together), consists of a combination of caffeine, which works to stimulate the skin, and creatine, which accelerates the properties of Glycine Soya (Soybean Protein), that helps build and support the skin. Menthol is there to comfort and cool. (A relief after a workout.)

All of this targets areas of the body where fat has accumulated, or where the skin is slack, to visibly firm and tighten, accentuating the muscle underneath. The best results are seen over time, usually within an 8 week span. (So don't think you can hit the chili bar this afternoon, slap some on, and hit the clubs all ripped tonite.)

Here's what I found: I gave the stuff a shot over a week or so, and, against all my expectations, actually saw a difference. As soon as you spread some on you feel tightening as it dries. After using it for a while, there was definitely a difference. And I asked my girl for her opinion, and even she saw some more defined six-package going on. But just like with crunches, you have to keep doing it to keep seeing the results. I wonder if A-Rod's cousin knows about this stuff.

$30
www.labseries.com