It Works! is an MLM company offering a wide range of products that are intended to help promote weight loss, tighten and tone skin, enhance beauty, boost the physical experience, and improve overall health and wellness. That’s quite a claim — Let’s take a look and see if they make the cut.
Name: It Works!
Website: www.itworks.com
Owners: Mark and Cindy Pentecost
Founded: 2001
Location: Florida, USA
Products: Body wraps, greens powder, skin care treatments, essential oils, KetoWorks supplements, Lifestyle probiotics and shakes
Price: Product prices vary. To join MLM: $99.00
Rating: 1.5 out of 5
What Happens When You Become A Distributor?
Here are the membership benefits received:
- Seven digital sample credits to start sending Skinny Brew samples
- 40% off all products
- 10% off your first purchase
- Unlimited access to tools, training, and applications
- Personalized website free first month; then a monthly subscription
In the Business Building Kit, you receive:
- Personalized website
- Access to eSuite for real-time reports, customer insights and more
- Promo code for 10% off It Works apparel, accessories, or business tools after joining
- Access to tools and apps that allow you to work from your phone any time, anywhere
- All-digital starter kit that allows you to start working from home immediately
- Seven Skinny Brew Sample Mailer Credits (three single service packets per sample mailer)
The price you pay to become a distributor is $99.00
You will also get a bonus for your first new team member. That person will get 50% off their Business Builder Kit.
In addition, you have access to a customer support team.
What Is The Compensation Plan?
The compensation plan if you join the MLM appears to be quite lucrative. I am including a video from YouTube that will explain it in detail.
What About The Products? What Do They Contain?
Here is an explanation of the key ingredients and what they provide. These are only a few, as the wraps alone contain 40 ingredients.
Green Tee Leaf Extract
Green tea provides antioxidants. EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate) is one such antioxidant, and is a catechin. Research says that catechins in green tea can help in a weight loss program.
Guarana
This ingredient comes from the Amazon basin in South America. It contains caffeine. It is said to help improve focus, concentration, energy levels, and can even boost metabolic rates.
Bladderwrack
A seaweed that is found in some traditional medicines. This seaweed contains high levels of iodine.
Spirulina
This one is a microalgae, also called blue-green algae, and is often used in greens supplements. It contains essential fatty acids, vitamin E, beta-carotene, B vitamins, protein, manganese, selenium, zinc, iron and copper, and 22 essential amino acids.
Dandelion Leaf
Has a diuretic and laxative effect.
Chlorella
This ingredient, from the freshwater areas of Japan and Taiwan, contains dietary fiber, vitamins, protein, and minerals. It is said to boost the immune system and improve mental functioning.
Barley Grass
From barley grass comes vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, and antioxidants.
Amino Acids
The three different amino acid types are:
- Essential amino acids
- Nonessential amino acids
- Conditional amino acid
Together, there are 20 different amino acides, found either in the body or food. Some of these may be found in these products.
Beta-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB)
This acid is an organic compound often used in supplements. Its purpose is to help boost ketone levels, putting the body into ketosis. In this metabolic state, the body uses fat as a source of fuel.
Plant Protein (pea and brown rice)
These give a vegetarian alternative to animal-based protein sources. The purpose of these is to suppress appetite and give higher energy levels and muscle building.
Probiotics
Probiotics are live micro-organisms or bacteria that help with overall digestive health and function. They may help boost immune system health as well.
Essential Oils
These are concentrated aromatic compounds taken from plants. These essential oils are used in many products, such as fragrances, foods, cosmetics, drinks, soap and skin care, as well as in aromatherapy.
What Are The Marketing Claims For This Product?
There are 40 ingredients listed for the wraps. The company states that these wraps can:
- Tighten, tone and firm
- Minimize cellulite appearance
- Improve skin texture and tightness
- Results will be seen in 45 minutes
- Progressive results over 72 hours
There is no documented clinical research on the website that will support the It Works! marketing claims.
Do The Wraps Really Work?
First of all, I read many customer reviews of this product. These reviews are divided in their results, with some people saying the products worked really well and others saying they saw no results.
As for weight loss, there are some It Works! products that are to be used specifically for weight loss. Two of these
products are ThermoFight and Metabolic Burn. Some of their ingredients have been shown to aid with weight reduction and fat loss. These ingredients include caffeine, green tea extract and chromium.
However, be forewarned that body wraps do not burn fat. Though the ingredients may cause a temporary localized tightening and moisturizing effect, this effect does not lead to long-term and lasting weight or fat loss.
The company even tells you that you can counteract the good results from the Ultimate Body Applicator by eating poorly and not getting regular exercise.
So, if you want these products to help make a permanent change, you need to help them by getting proper nutrition and exercise. It’s the combination that is effective.
Does It Reduce Cellulite?
There is no evidence that It Works! wraps can reduce cellulite. Because the product produces a temporary cosmetic skin tightening, it might reduce the appearance of cellulite.
However, to really lose it, you need to exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet.
How Long Do The Results Last?
The company says the products give “results that last.” However, this vague statement does not tell you exactly how long the results last. Is it always 72 hours, as the website states? Have they researched to learn answers to these questions? Are results consistent for most people?
Are These Products Safe?
Ingredients used in the products appear to be ones that will not harm you. However, with 40 different plant extracts and other ingredients, there is always a risk of allergic reactions.
Read ingredients carefully to make sure there are none that you know might produce a negative reaction.
There are some general product warnings given as to who should use these products. Be aware before you buy. Here’s the list:
- It Works! supplements are intended for individuals 18 years of age and older.
- Pregnant or nursing women should not use the products, unless directed by a doctor.
- The FDA has not evaluated statements made regarding It Works! products.
- If you have any serious adverse reactions, stop using the product immediately and consult a doctor.
- Ask your doctor before using a supplement or wrap if you are already on a prescription medication/drug.
- Consult your doctor prior to using any It Works! products if you have a medical condition.
- Don’t use It Works! Ultimate Body Applicator or wraps on damaged or broken skin.
- Use the products only as directed on the label or the website.
Where Can You Buy These Products?
You can obtain products through the official website or from a distributor. Some of the products are also available on Amazon.
Prices vary on products, ranging from $5 to $179. There is a long list of products with a wide range of price.
Is There A Money-Back Guarantee?
The company makes no guarantees that the product works. You are told that different people will have different results. Customers are advised to follow the directions on each of the products you receive.
You can get a refund only if the product is unopened and unused. This applies to both customers and distributors. If you are a distributor and want to leave the company, you can return any unused and unopened products for a refund.
PROS
It Works! offers a wide array of products
They have been in business for a long time — since 2001
Products contain some good ingredients
MLM compensation plan looks lucrative
CONS
You can only return unopened or unused products; otherwise, no refunds
Numerous complaints posted online about their customer service
A large percentage of users say products do not work as advertised.
You may be disappointed in results, as they are temporary
If you go on autoship and cancel, there is a fee of $50
OPINION
If you need to tone up quickly to look good for a special event, these products might be helpful. However, unless you change your whole diet and exercise program, they won’t do you much long-term good. Changes are temporary.
They may get you off to a good start, and used in conjunction with a diet/exercise program, they might be helpful.
However, personally, I am not interested in a product that provides only temporary results. I believe I’ll pass on this one.
Most people would jump for products like these without even understanding their proper use. Especially people looking for a “quick hack” to maintain themselves, or stay healthy with the fat loss products.
ESPECIALLY now, when everyone is stuck at home! This is a very thorough and honest review, and its written very well.
Thanks for the information!
Thank you, Abdul. These products are the kind that are popular with many people because so many of us either want to lose weight or have some critical concern about their health. If these products are ones that can help someone, that is good. I am glad you found value in the post.
Actually, there are a lot of factors that are working against this company that totally negates me from joining them. Personally, in the first place, I don’t like getting myself attached with mlm companies because of the tendencies to lose money easily without recouping back. Also, the fact that it works refuses to convince tat their commission and all is distributors intensive.
Well, you’re right — it’s easy to lose money in an MLM. However, it’s easy to lose money in any new business that you establish. Whatever you choose, you need to put enough effort into it to see the kind of results you want. When I was a member of an MLM, I didn’t have a problem with losing money, but I found it quite challenging to make the kind of money I wanted to make. I did have some good months, but to get those good months, I had to do a tremendous amount of work. A company may be good and it may be bad, but if we don’t put in sufficient effort, it doesn’t much matter, as we will not make any progress.
Thanks Fran… I was actually starting to be interested until I saw your rating. They’re obviously good at marketing.
The biggest issue for MLM is the need to keep on purchasing yourself. I noticed in the video how they recommend to not learn everything first, just get start and “learn while you earn”. It takes time to get to know a product, especially one like this. They’re obviously focussed on “speed” and building fast.
Of course, this puts you in a position of being committed, having invested a lot of time and effort – and therefore not so objective if you find yourself unhappy with some aspect of the system or products.
Just curious, did you get to try any of the products yourself? Would also be good to find out the ongoing costs of the personalised website.
I think the customer service aspect is one of the most important part of any company. If there are issues with that, then I don’t see how it can last long term, and I would certainly find that stressful if I was caught in the middle. I know I would be “paying” for these products that couldn’t be returned.
I agree Fran, I think that for products like this it is important to know what the results are going to be! I also know that a lot of the products I can find at better prices.
Yes, the products are interesting, and the wraps, if used regularly, might be quite helpful. However, you would have to use them very regularly to get them to do what you wanted, long term, and that would get expensive.
I agree with you about customer service. If it is no good, you are going to alienate your customer base very quickly. That is not a good thing.
I liked my MLM experience, but did find I had to spend quite a bit of my own money to keep moving up in rank. If your rank depends on volume, and you can pad it a bit with your own purchases, you tend to do just that. It is quite hard to make consistent money with an MLM unless you are in it for a long time and build an extensive downline.
Hello there, thanks for sharing this awesome article I know it would be of great help to others as it has really helped me…I have a very scanty knowledge on this this brand and I have been looking for credible reviews on them and I must tell you after reading this awesome article I now know how to deal with this brand as your have made it very detailed.
I’m really glad the review gave you the information you needed. I’d love to know your results if you try the wraps for yourself. I’d be happy to find that you thought them helpful.
The only wraps I’ve used are ones provided by my chiropractor, and they were intended for relaxation. They really helped. Hopefully you’ll find good benefits if you try this product.