Wobble your way to a FlabeLos Cornwall

As Mae West once said “I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond.” But as I edge deeper into my 30s I’ve found losing the inches just isn’t as easy as it used to be.

Welcome ‘Flabelos Cornwall’ at Shape Studios, Truro. In ten minutes you can do a work out equivalent to an hour at the gym, without even changing out of your work clothes. Sounds too good to be true? Shape Studios Shapes Studio director Karen Marsten thought the same.

Talking about opening the largest dedicated studio to Whole Body Vibration Technology, she says “I saw the business model back in February. My big question was ‘does it work?” Karen embarked on a research trip across the UK but, still not convinced, she invested in a machine of her own.

“I stopped going to the gym and invited my girlfriends round to try it” she said. Now, totally convinced, 12 weeks ago Karen opened Shapes Studios.

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It works on the balancing theory of sport science. You stand on plates which osculate on a pivotal system and your brain works your muscles as it tries to stabilise you, vibrating 30 – 50 times a minute. In doing so, you can burn up to 300 calories in ten minutes.

Russian astronauts started using this technology before it spread inevitably to States and eventually Europe. Karen says “it’s a product that works. What I’m really delighted to see is our older clients. These machines keep people strong, improving muscle and bone density”. Her oldest client is 92 years old.

Everyone gets a free session to trial the machines when they walk in. “It’s the biggest vibrator you’ll ever play with!” jokes Karen, explaining that 99.9% of people who use it benefit in some way from the machine– some lose weight, most lose inches, some tone up, most increase in body confidence.

Next month Shapes Studios will begin a programme offering life coaching in weight loss, eating habits, but also looking after the ‘emotional and mental as well as physical well-being’.

Getting over the initial shock of my bingo wings and back fat taking on a vibrating life of their own, once you get into the rhythm, it starts to make sense.

Your muscles are working from the minute you step on to the minute you step off – with various levels of settings in between. Karen promises I can lose a dress size in 3-4 weeks wobbling 3 times a week and I believe her.

This is a pretty accessible way to tone up. Open from 8am – 7pm six days a week, you can fit a ‘wobble’ into any day – before work, between meetings or indeed during a shopping trip. You can pay-as-you go or indulge in 10 sessions for £30. With a thisiscornwall voucher for £30 you get unlimited use for the first month.

If you don’t fancy going-it-alone, their Wobble Parties every Wednesday and Thursday night (£10 for a non-member, £5 for a member) include wine, Pimms and nibbles plus 3 or 4 ten minute sessions throughout the evening.

If wobbling your way to a healthier life doesn’t sound like you cup of tea, opening this Friday is Shapes Studio’s Oasis – fish pedicure heaven as three double tanks will entice weary city cobble-pounders to not just pop in on a lunch-hour, but hire the room for private parties. Working with budgets from £10-50 they can even hire you a masseuse offering Indian massage, plus oriental buffets.

I’ve heard a few horror stories about the Turkish deriving ‘garra rufa’ freshwater fish – passing incurable foot disease from client to client - but Karen assures me there’s no reported cases of anything thing being transferred fish to human. Phew.

She says they “go a long way to ensure the fish are happy and healthy” – the water PH is checked regularly and they have regular water changes.

The fish have enormous appetites and are frequently fed supplementary food twice a day. Essentially what the little critters do is nibble off the dead skin from your feet, leaving you with smoother skin – it’s the fishy exfoliator, if you will.

At 100 fish a tank I was dubious about my staying power as these surprisingly persistent foot-nibblers swarmed towards my naked flesh and tucked in. But once you get used to the tickle, it’s really rather relaxing.

For those who don’t like the idea of fish munching between their toes, Karen’s invested in electronic leg, thigh and foot massagers, using Japanese technology. 15 minutes of fish spa, or leg/foot massage is just £5 with complimentary tea, coffee.

Either way, whether you’re wobbling your way to a slimmer waist, ridding the aches and pains from your legs and feet, or in need of a good pedicure, a stop-off at Shapes will sort you out. Heaven.