Es magazine '' Shake your body down''

Products	How easy is it to use?	Will it strengthen and tone me?	What results can I expect?	Are there any alternatives?	How quickly will I get bored?
Skipping Rope	Not for the un-co-ordinated, to get a good work out you will need to brush up on your fancy foot and arm work	Lower legs and abdominal muscles.	Fantastic aerobic workout out, particularly for lower body.	Any rope that is a good length and if you take yourself back to Malcolm Mclaren and do the old double dutch, you can have hours of fun with others.	Depending on how good you get your steps become very exciting, I would advise to combine it as part of your CV or crosstraining workout.
Step	Very easy to assemble and all you need know how to do, is to step up and down. Although the very mal-co-coordinated confused with this!!	Not in a suit case, but it is light to carry.	Great Aerobic workout. Tones legs, good for X-training as there are a multitude of exercises you can do.	Stairs, but they don't have the advantage of a shock resistant surface.	There must be over a hundred exercise you can do on the step, so it should take you a long while before you are bored.
Parachute	Simple to attach. As long as the weather is not too windy or wet, it is also simple to use. The aim is to sprint as fast as you can. You are fighting against the wind resistance on the parachute. After 100 metres or so you release the parachute from a Velcro strip and with out resistance you suddenly shoot off like a thunderbolt	Yes, very light and compact.	Will improve sprint running, Excellent for sports such as rugby and football, or to boost your heart rate as part of a cross training programme.	Er…. Superman outfit!	With a parachute on your back it will be a long time till you bore, failing that you'll entertain plenty of others. Its also short and sharp exercise so its quick fun.
Ladder	Very easy to assemble and pack away. To use you do have to have some co-ordination. You run in and out of the squares like a crazed headless chicken trying to improve your speed, whilst doing the quick step. Unlike a real ladder it is made with light plastic and synthetic materials.	Yes, it's fairly light and compact.	Improved sprint, posture and acceleration.	Draw in chalk a ladder shape on the floor, or use string on the floor to make the shape. Do not use a real ladder, you may trip up and hurt yourself	You get 2 ladders in the package so you can make different shapes going off in different directions. If your co-ordination is good you will really enjoy improving your fancy footwork in a record time.
Reaction Ball	You throw the ball and it has a mind of its own going off into different directions, the idea is to dart and run as fast as you can to catch it. Your reactions have to be quick	Yes small and light.	This is great fun, and good for quick eye hand co-ordination, bounces in any direction so you are running all over the place.	Is better with a partner, but you can play with it on your own.
Speed resistor	You have to have A partner and they have to be strong. Is easy to assemble, your partner pulls on a belt that is round your waist and you have to run against the resistance, the same principle as the parachute but there is more resistance with this one.	Yes, compacts fairly small and is lightweight.	This is for speed and strength. Develops aggressive arm action, lean and drive.	Yes	Its always entertaining to put your strength against another persons.
Mini tramp PT Bouncer	Jump for joy! as you exercise. This is a mini trampoline 40''in diameter which you can jump, run, hop etc.. The exercises are easy to follow, but you can feel a little unstable at times. Comes with an exercise chart.	It is not small enough to pack in your suit case but as the legs fold it packs very flat, so will take up minimal space.	Great for firming thighs, using your core muscles as there is a lot of balancing and you can incorporate a diverse aerobic routine. Good for skiing training, as the jumping action will not put strains on your joints.	No	You will get bored if you solely use it for a cv workout. But as part of an all over workout its excellent.
Rola blades	Basic moves are fairly easy, it's when you try to turn and stop that accidents happen. Instruction is advised, or why not try a mass inline skating session through London, that takes place every Wednesday, 7pm - 9pm. All abilities. Visit www.sweatybetty.com, for further details.	Yes, they are quite heavy, but small enough to fir in a rucksack.	`'Its my life…'' Was it a tampon advert who knows, but remember the models legs, these are the effects you can have from skating ( although she was being dragged by a dog) Your bottom can become the perfect peach, all hail Kyle Minogue she attributes her butt to inline skating.	No, although if you have a dog you will have hours of fun letting him drag you. Be sure you learn how to stop before attempting this!	Endless fun!

Woggle Board	It looks like something you'd find in play group and is as much fun. You stand on the board, which has a maze on it. Your aim is to get a ball that is place in the maze through to the centre.	Is light, but probably too big to fit in any bag.	The board moves and is unstable so your actions of playing the game are toning your thighs; it also helps you to control your balance hence you will be working on your abdominal muscles.	NO	Great as part of a cross training or weights programme. Use 3-5 mins
Swiss Ball	An inflated beach ball, rather like a space hopper, without the ears. Takes about 5 mins to inflate ( get a pump, mouth action would take a year) Easy to assemble and disassemble. The exercises are easy once shown but you should refer to a manual or ask a gym instructor.	Yes, compact, once defaulted and light.	Improves postural alignment, which improves performance. Also tones all body parts.	NO	There are too many possibilities to get bored. It is also a great stress releaser when you lie back on the bal and stretch your back.
Medicine Ball	Ah yes the trusty medicine ball you may remember from your school years. Simple to use and follow exercises, is a compact weighted ball, that can be involved in resistance work.	Small in size but heavy. Varying in weights 1-5kg	It adds a difference to your weights section, use it to throw in the air with squats, or as an added weight to hold in abdominal exercises, or throw to a partner to name but a few.	BOTH Throwing to one another whilst squatting is an excellent exercise.	Use as part of a weights or cross training programme and you wont tire of this.
Bar Bells/weights	You must taught by a qualified instructor to understand how to use these. Failing that go to your local Body pump class to get some ideas. They are an ideal part of a workout.	No to heavy and big. See resistance bands as an alternative.	No one should be scared to weights as you can control your workout to get the effects you wish. Whether you want to add bulk, get slight definition or just become more toned, is an excellent way to a results training will kick your metabolism into a higher gear and prevents osteoporosis.	NO	Weights can become tiresome, and if you are in a gym that corner always seems to be the least alluring. However, resistance work is vital so keep at it.
Dyna bands/resistor tubes	You should follow a manual or enclosed video, to know how to work the target areas. Its basically a rubber band that adds resistance as you pull.	This is the most ideal piece of equipment to travel with as it will fit into your pocket.	You will gain as much benefit using this as you would using weights. You can work all major muscle groups and you can very the intensity by shortening the band or buying a thicker one.	NO	Again resistance work can be dull but there are many uses to this band so be creative.
Stretch right	Is a hard wearing band that you can wrap around feet and hands with notches on to add a good grip, Helps you pull further into every stretch. There are 6 basic stretches that you can follow with an enclosed video. Very easy to follow and remember.	Very light and compact	Is a fantastic aid at improving flexibility, no matter what level you are?	NO	Never. Stretching can be the most pleasant part of a workout.
Heart Rate monitor	You need to read the manual, and ask advice of what your ideal training zones are.	Yes, compact and very light weight, can fit in your pocket.	The idea is that if you want to improve your fitness, then keeping your heart rate at the same level will stop you under or over training. It is also ideal to help you with cross training.	NO	You don't even know its there.