My perfect buttocks (ho bloody ho)

I used to be SO good at exercising. I’d go to the gym, fling myself around aerobics classes, twine myself in knots at yoga. But in the last year I have, shall we say, lapsed. Apart from the odd frenzy on the squash court I haven’t done a bean. When I tried on a maxi dress and looked like a battleship opera singer I figured I ought to do something. But the scent of freshly-baked bread is nigh-on impossible to resist.

Then in popped the email, like a divine message from on high. Did I fancy trialling a pair of Reebok EasyTone trainers? These are the ones that have given hordes of women buttock envy – the ones that will supposedly firm up your legs and your backside just by walking around town or doing your daily whatever it is you do. In other words, the lazy woman’s workout. Sounded good from where I was sitting. Divine inspiration in fact – so it would have been a clear snub  to the Almighty not to give them a whirl.

I’ve been a FitFlop fan for several years so I wondered how these would measure up. Can a shoe really do the work you ought to be doing? Well, actually, to a point yes. You’re supposed to ease yourself into wearing the EasyTones but I never follow instructions and so ended up feeling as if I’d spent the day on the leg machines at the gym. The burn lasted for about three days and, after three weeks, I did notice a difference. My legs were definitely firmer (though sadly my bum didn’t experience the same epiphany). I find the trainers a little wide (but then I have seriously narrow feet) but the flipflops are heaven – less chunky and remedial looking than the FitFlops and extremely comfortable.  Also, sorry FitFlop, I think they do work those legs a bit harder.

At the weekend a bunch of us were invited up to London to give some feedback. We met up at the Chelsea Harbour Club and I had huge fun interviewing some of the other trialists on camera. They had nearly all started out highly sceptical. One confessed that she had only taken part as she needed a new pair of trainers. But the consensus was that they really are pretty fab.

As we sat outside, in the sun, glugging wine and laughing, it struck me again just how bloody nice the vast majority of bloggers are. We were a mixed bunch – varying ages and careers (a nurse, a student, a book-keeper etc); some with children, some without – but we all got on like a house on fire.

They’re all well worth getting to know so, without further ado, can I please introduce you to the lovely:

Carly - http://www.mummysshoes.com/ @MummysShoes

Carol - http://mummynew.blogspot.com/ @caroljs

Jill - (blog coming soon, she promises) @jillo1974

Jamilla - http://thesquarepegchronicles.blogspot.com/ @squarepegjam

Luschka - http://www.diaryofafirstchild.com/ @LvanO

Reebok have two new launches coming up - RunTone (a running shoe with much greater stability than the Easytone which still offers more toning than an average running shoe) and TrainTone (for gym workouts and aerobics). Some experts seem to think they’re a bit of a gimmick but the women at the Harbour Club were mad keen.  Even Mr Cynical himself, the Beer God, has been eyeing up the pictures and dropping big hints.

As for me, I’m waiting for them to bring out an all over body suit which will miraculously melt my flab as I sit at my desk. But then the image rose up of some kind of catsuit or neoprene wetsuit and the appeal swiftly paled.  Maybe the Easytone Burqa perhaps?



PS - If you fancy checking out what other people think of the trainers, see http://www.reetalk-toning.com/
PPS - Not looking bad for my age, am I???  Any resemblance to Kelly Brook is purely coincidental... ;)