PrintBy Joy Davis
eDiets Contributor
You thought you were fierce — you spent the summer running around in bejeweled toe-thongs and strappy flats without giving your feet a second thought. But then fall came. You hit the town in your three-inch Manolo Blahniks and almost needed a stretcher to get back home. If this sounds familiar, then you may be a prime candidate for the Stiletto Workout.
Striptease or Stilettos?
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with so many fitness trends popping up. And some folks may still be trying to perfect their striptease aerobics routine from last year. But don’t worry… all those stripper moves you learned will come in handy for the stiletto workout. Just leave the pole behind, bring a pair of slinky spikes and you’ll be well on your way to getting Tina Turner legs.
How it Works
The theory behind the Stiletto Workout is that being up on your tiptoes and being slightly off balance — the way you are in high heels — requires greater muscle, leaving your bottom portion — butt, legs and calves — looking sleek and toned. That’s according to Stiletto fitness instructors who say the shoe exercises also work the core muscles.
The Stiletto Story
The whole concept of working out in high heels originated from Crunch — the same fitness chain that launched the striptease aerobics craze and other sexy fitness trends such as Kama Sutra yoga. Someone came up with the idea of a workout to help women look as sexy as the designer shoes they wear when they’re out on the town. Soon the idea blossomed into a fun cardio program to help women build leg muscle to navigate better in high heels.
Sexy Workout
Don’t expect to do hard time in your Jimmy Choos. Most classes, like Crunch’s Stiletto Strength, start out with a funky, dance-inspired, cardio warmup in your gym shoes to get your heart rate up and running.
For the last 15 minutes, you slip on your sky-highs and strut your stripper-like moves to the beat. Some clubs involve a sexy chair routine for extra sizzle, while others have you working the catwalk like one of Tyra’s top 10 models. And still others launch a hardcore, 45-minute cardio routine in spikes.
The emphasis is on strengthening the lower body, so you build enough leg strength to command the stiletto. And of course all that balancing on the balls of your feet will net you some sculpted, sexy-looking legs… that is, if you don’t break your neck first.
Stilettos… Risky Business
As you can imagine, doctors are less than thrilled about the health implications of women jumping about in spiked heels to lose a few pounds. They warn about the risks associated with high heels, namely discomfort around your forefoot area caused by increased pressure and ankle sprains. And podiatrists point out that there are better exercises that can give you more results with less strain.
But that hasn’t stopped the stiletto workout craze. Stiletto enthusiasts are quick to point out that the majority of the workout is not done in stilettos. And many stiletto workout patrons say that working out in heels elongates their bodies, giving them greater self-confidence.
Get the Party Started
If you can’t find a club that does the stiletto workout near you, bring the heel party to your house. All you really need are your favorite pair of heels and some good dance music. Then turn up the volume and dance like no one’s watching.
Want more fun workouts? Every eDiets plan comes with a free fitness plan! Get exclusive workout tips, ideas and routines from our Chief Fitness Pro. Have fun and lose weight along the way! Get more info!
Joy Davis is a freelance writer who specializes in holistic wellness, fitness and travel. Several of her articles have also appeared in City Smart Magazine.
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