There’s nothing like a new weight loss gadget or gizmo to help motivate you to move more . . . and weigh less. The fitness industry is certainly one of the most dynamic when it comes to new products, and some of the latest and greatest to hit the sporting shelves include…
By Sally Symonds
The Fithoop
What do Beyonce, Zooey Deschanel, Michelle Obama, Marisa Tomei and January Jones all have in common? They all swear by hula hooping to get fit and have fun. The fithoop adds a new dimension to this age-old exercise by adding weight. It’s only 1.2kg – but it won’t take you long to notice the difference. And it really works! A recent study by the American Council on Exercise revealed that working out with a weighted hula hoop burns about as many calories per minute as step aerobics or boot camp – but it’s heaps more fun! Great for your abs, back, posture and flexibility, it’s also got a big cardio kick that’ll soon have you puffing (in between all the laughing of course!)
Easydry Eco Gym Towels
These are a great way to make working out a little less smelly and sweaty. Easydry Eco Gym Towels are super-soft and absorbent single use gym towels made from pure wool fibres. Just use them once, then throw them away – a much more hygienic option than carrying around the same old stinky gym towel in your car. Eco Gym Towels are super convenient, since they’re so easy to store or carry with you when you travel. Surprisingly, they’re also environmentally friendly – they save water and electricity and break down in just three months in landfill, or you can put them out with the recycling. It’s win, win, win!
The Xrslide
This simple but effective device consists of two independent plastic platforms, each with a highly developed arch design, which let you add a ‘slide’ motion to most well-known exercises. This allows your body to complete the same movement, but with greater flexibility and range of motion, which makes you work harder and get better results. Xrslides are lightweight, portable and great for travelling. They’re also extremely versatile and can be used for all kinds of exercises, including lunges, push ups and ab roll outs.
The CrossCore 180
Up for something a little more challenging? You can’t go past the CrossCore 180. It was originally called the ‘war machine’ and developed for training US Military forces. I think you get the idea! The CrossCore is a suspension training device that lets you increase the challenge and intensity of various exercises by adding rotational movements to them. You may feel muscles working that you never even knew existed before!
The iRest A33 Massage Chair
This massage chair is the perfect recovery after all your workout efforts! It retails for around $5000, but it’s worth every cent. It stretches, it vibrates, it massages your feet, it swings your hips from side to side, plays music and even heats up. It features 92 airbags, 6 massage techniques, 9 automatic programs and comes in five great colours to complement your home décor. The only downside? You’ll never want to get out of it and exercise again!
With so many different gadgets and gizmos to choose from, exercise has never been more fun. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to get in shape!
