New Woman, July 2007

New Booty Busters, Pg 64

Three new fitness crazes, rated for your convenience. I’ve read a lot about Powerplates, and I have to say, my jury is still out. Any piece of equipment promising the results of a two hour gym workout in twenty minutes … if it sounds too good to be … well, you know the rest. Remember those old machines from the fifties where people would put a big band around their waist and jiggle away for ages like some kind of human lava lamp? I don’t see a lot of difference. I’m prepared to be corrected, but give me some scientific evidence, and I mean more than “Madonna has one at home”.

On the other hand, BOSU balls are great, and I have and use one, both personally and for my clients. Basically like half a fitball, you can do dozens of different exercises on them, and they promote balance and work your core in an intense way. Top marks.

Kangoo Jumps are something I’ve never heard about, but they sound like those shoes George Kostanza was trying to sell in “The Jimmy” episode of Seinfeld. If you feel the need to get some mad air, maybe you should look into these.

Not sure how many people would buy or use this equipment as a result of this article, but if you’re in the market, go the BOSU. I got mine on eBay for a fraction of the retail price. Usefulness, *

My 30 day nightmare to become a size 0, Pg 90

The doco this article is based on was on TV several months ago, and I remember talking with one of my Yummy Mummies about it at the time. I didn’t watch it, but it sounded totally terrifying. A woman weighing 50kg (161cm tall) drops to 44kg in thirty days. Terrifying. What’s even more terrifying is she did it with the help of a personal trainer, who knew exactly what her aim was - and specialises in getting women down to a size 0, or Australian size 4.

This woman had previously won FHM’s sexiest woman of the decade award, but admits part of her loved the idea of being thinner. She experienced emotional problems, and her entire life was taken up with the weight loss program. It was done as an experiment, but I wonder how many people undertake this kind of program as a legitimate lifestyle choice. Truly disturbing reading - great for the checkout queue.