Zest - August 2005
Want a bottom that’s bikini-ready? Try this fail-safe, super-quick Lucozade Sport Hydro Active plan…
Everyone knows that if there’s one thing no self-respecting would-be beach babe should be without (besides sunscreen and designer shades), it’s a shapely bottom. And sadly, bikinis are just about the worst thing ever invented for disguising figure flaws! But if yours isn’t quite a pert peach, there’s no need to reach for that sarong just yet. By combining cardio sessions on the cross trainer, you’ll have a curvaceous bottom you’ll be prod to show off this summer – in no time!
The cross-trainer (also known as an elliptical trainer) is a fab way to tone up your bottom as it gives all the benefits of running without the impact. And better still, if you hold on to the handgrips, you'll get a great upper-body workout, too. Here, Laura Williams, owner of personal training company Future Perfect, gives her top technique tips...
Warm up! When you start exercising on the cross-trainer, use less resistance and go slowly for five minutes so you'll warm up gently. And don't forget to stretch out all your major muscle groups for between 30 and 60 seconds each afterwards.
Stand up! Stay as upright as possible when you're on the cross- trainer - don't hunch over. And keep your shoulders relaxed and your abs tight. Start with a single ten- to 15-minute session and build up to doing 40 minutes, three times a week.
Break it up! To keep your workout interesting, set the cross-trainer to manual and break each session into bite-sized chunks by alternately doing two minutes at a high resistance (level nine) relatively slowly, and then doing three minutes at a lower resistance (level five) and faster pace.
Tone up! Combine regular cross-trainer sessions with two to three sessions per week of these bottom-toning moves, right, ensuring you warm up beforehand and cool down afterwards. For each move here, choose weights that allow you to do about 12 repetitions of each move relatively comfortably.
To book a session or to find out how Laura can help you get into shape, email her at laura@laurawilliamsonline.co.uk
Or call her on 07712 001525.