A-List Routines: Fad Or Fab?
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FITNESS Celebrity shape-ups Kettlebells The big idea These cannonball-shaped weights come in a variety of sizes, with built-in handles so they’re easy to lift and work with as part of a A-list combined dynamic cardio and strength routine. A typical workout involves swinging the Kettlebells with extended arms and lifting them above shoulder height to strengthen and tone your upper body. However, they can also be used in the same routines: way as conventional weights to make squats, lunges, crunches and leg presses more effective. The fan club Jennifer Lopez uses Kettlebells as part of her post-baby shape-up, and when she’s training with LA fitness guru Gunnar Peterson to prepare for triathlons. fad or fab? The verdict “Kettlebells are essentially weights with handles, so it’s how you use them that With the help of top counts,” Luke advises. “There’s not that much you can do with them that you can’t do with trainer Luke Meessman, traditional weights; the advantage is that you can J-Lo (above swing them through a wide range of angles and planes so you get we take a look at the right) got a great upper-body workout. back in shape “If you use them in exercises which involve body rotation, latest red carpet-ready after the birth you’ll also start to develop core strength. The secret is to of her twins choose a trainer who knows how to work with Kettlebells regimes keeping the by embarking to get the most out of them,” he adds. on rigorous Kettlebell workouts are available at gyms workouts with The detail stars trim and toned – Kettlebells nationwide. For details of a trainer near you, visit the and give you the inside track on UK Kettlebell Union at ukku.org/directory. The Power Plate The Reformer which kit really works… The big idea Developed to keep astronauts The big idea Created by Joseph Pilates for soldiers toned while in space, the Power Plate injured during the First World War, the Reformer here was a time when celebrities kept the illusion alive that they vibrates at 30 to 50 cycles a second, has a moving platform attached to springs which were toned and trim just through good genes or good luck… stimulating your muscles to make and give resistance and uses your body weight to T Not any more. With Jennifer Lopez and Teri Hatcher taking release tiny contractions as you perform tone, strengthen and stretch muscles. part in gruelling triathlons and even Victoria Beckham pounding the LA Surfing is one of squats, push-ups, bicep curls and other Reformer classes can be slow or fast-paced, pavements to get in shape for her Armani underwear campaign, it Cameron Diaz’s exercises. It promises great results from and can feature up to 100 different Pilates seems A-listers have to work just as hard as the rest of us to get fit. favourite pastimes, sessions lasting just 20 minutes, ideal if exercises, so it’s possible to work every But they do have the advantage of getting to try out the latest fitness so it’s little wonder you don’t have much time. It’s also muscle in the body. And the moving routines and shape-up machines long before the rest of us. We asked she’s taken to the versatile – the latest classes using the platform means your body has to balance Indo Board Luke Meessmann, master trainer at London’s TenPilates – the workout balance trainer Power Plate include Power Yoga, Power and stabilise itself, toning your core favoured by Eva Herzigova, Claudia Schiffer, Jemima Khan, Kirsty (below left) like Circuit and Power Boxing. muscles in the process. Young and Nigella Lawson – to give us the lowdown on LA’s top fitness a natural The fan club Kylie Minogue, Lisa Butcher The fan club Madonna, Gwyneth fixes. And the best bit? They’re now available at a gym near you. and June Sarpong. Paltrow, Marcia Cross, Brooke Shields, The verdict “I have my reservations about Jemima Khan, Claudia Schiffer, Eva Power Plate,” Luke says. “Although it works, Herzigova and Trinny Woodall. Indo Boarding Kylie (right) is you should take care not to sit on the plate The verdict “Reformers are, in my a Power Plate for too long as there have been reports of the opinion, the very best way to work out The big idea Exercises involve manoeuvring a convert – ten minutes wooden board, called an Indo Deck, over a on the machine is vibrations causing inner ear problems at your entire body,” says Luke, who cites roller, or Indo Rider, while using your strength claimed to give the certain frequencies. That said, the science the virtually infinite number of ways to keep your balance. It looks tricky, but takes same results as 60 supports the theory that exercising against you can use them to improve balance, just 15 minutes to master the basics of Indo minutes of aerobics vibration promotes muscle strength muscle strength, endurance and Boarding, which mimics the action of surfing or swimming and fitness.” flexibility, as well as and was developed by an LA surfer. Great for He continues: “I think to get the most out cardiovascular fitness. He increasing your core and leg strength, as well as of your workout, you would need to combine explains: “At TenPilates we improving your balance and co-ordination. it with weight training and cardio. And never also combine Reformer-based The fan club Cameron Diaz and Ashley Tisdale, try it unsupervised, as the jury is still out Pilates with circuit training who reportedly bought her High School Musical on exactly how much vibration is good moves for a fun, intelligent and co-star Zac Efron an Indo Deck and Rider for his for your body.” effective workout that burns 21st birthday last year. The detail Many gyms in the calories, tones muscles and improves The verdict “This looks really cool and is a great UK now have Power Plates posture, strength and fitness.” way of training if you’re a keen surfer, skier, – for details of local The detail For more about Luke’s skater, skateboarder, snowboarder or c l a s s e s , v i s i t classes, visit tenpilates.com; for your bodyboarder, as it ‘switches on’ your core powerplate. nearest Reformer class, visit pilates.co. muscles,” says Luke. “I am a big advocate of com. uk (be sure to specify Reformer anything that you have to work hard to control. Pilates, not mat-based Pilates). The moving However, it only provides instability in one platform in plane, and your body works in multiple planes. Reformer-based Pilates (left) has Instead, I would recommend a board on a Bosu helped give – a half ball – or using an Indo Deck as part of a Gwyneth Paltrow 104 general fitness routine that includes cardio her sensational red- 105 training. It does look like great fun, though.” carpet shape The detail Fitness First health clubs nationwide run Indo Board classes – visit fitnessfirst.co.uk. For more beauty tips, visit hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty.