Non-impact weight loss

If the gym just doesn’t do it for you, then give Callanetics a try. The non-impact exercise helps you reshape and tone all major muscle groups through a unique blend of ballet and yoga.

Struggling to lose your winter 'insulation'? Terrified at the prospect of stripping off on the beach? Or just in need of a new approach to health and fitness?

Well, a new exercise regime which can transform your body at an incredible rate has come to Maidenhead.

Agnes Nagy is one of just five professionally-recognised Callanetics teachers in Great Britain and already has people travelling from as far as Slough to take her classes.

She said: “Just one hour of Callanetics exercises has the tightening and lifting value of 24 hours of aerobics. It’s a very safe programme so all ages and fitness levels can do it, even people who have never exercised.”

The exercises were developed by an American former ballerina in the Eighties and are based on constant repetitive contractions using a very small range of motion. Hungarian-born Miss Nagy discovered the method 15 year ago and has not looked back since.

She said: “I abused my body for years and could see it suffering. When I tried Callanetics I just fell in love with the exercises. When I moved to England I couldn’t find a teacher and was wondering what to do and decided to become a teacher myself.”

The 30-year-old spent 10 months completing the training programme certified by the Callanetics Management Company.

She now runs group and individual classes for men and women and claims she can help you lose a whole dress size in just 10 lessons.

We sent reporter LAURA ENFIELD along to take up the challenge. Here follows her 10- lesson diary of progress: 

SATURDAY, APRIL 5 – Having done Pilates I had a vague idea of what to expect from Callanetics, but I need not have worried as Agnes sat down before the class and explained the basic principles, including the all-important pelvic lift. The exercises were definitely a challenge right from the start. You have to stay both focused but relaxed at the same time and Agnes had to constantly remind me not to hunch my shoulders. Although the positions were tricky to get into, her instructions were easy to follow and she gently corrected me with a guiding hand when needed. She warned me I would ache the next day and I did but it was satisfying rather than painful.

MONDAY, APRIL 7 – Despite a few aches left over from my previous class, I was looking forward to my next session. The moves already felt more familiar but I still had to concentrate very hard to achieve the correct position and my shoulders still kept trying to creep up round my ears. In some ways this class was actually harder because I was trying to push myself. The goal is to reach 100 pulses in each position but I was averaging about 50 and so I saw it as a personal challenge. I don't feel much change yet but hopefully this will encourage me to work even harder.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 – I was slightly frustrated by today's lesson as my back was aching, which meant I couldn't do the stomach exercise properly. Unlike most people, I love the stomach crunches as I find them very satisfying but felt a bit like an old lady as Agnes had to put a support cushion under my back. I just felt more tired in general today but Agnes seemed to pick up on this and told us all to go at our own pace. She explained that some days your body is just less energetic but that you shouldn't fight it and instead adapt to it. On the plus side I recovered more quickly this time and had almost no aches the following day.

TUESDAY, APRIL 15 – I noticed an improvement today. I feel more comfortable in the positions and I’m able to concentrate on pulsing my muscles at the peak position. I also managed to do all 400 of the stomach pulses. Abs of steel, here I come! Agnes told me to focus on perfecting my pelvis floor contraction this session and to worry less about my shoulders and other parts. I could definitely feel the exercises working more deeply when I did this.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16 – I was really pleased today as Agnes hardly had to correct my positions at all. They are still very challenging but I'm finding it easier to get my body to do what I want it to! I feel stronger as well. On the negative side my back did ache slightly after today’s session so I think I may have pushed myself a little too hard.

FRIDAY, APRIL 25 – I went out dancing at the weekend and really noticed how much stronger my thighs are! However, I was really tired today – end of a long hard week – and found myself lacking in motivation. I managed to do all the exercises but really had to concentrate to hold the positions. I found it hard to push myself though, which probably had something to do with sharing the class with two beginners. But working alongside them also made me realise how far I've come and how comfortable I felt with the exercise.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26 – In contrast to yesterday, I was completely energised today and had my best class ever. I didn't let myself slack off and Agnes altered some of the positions to make them more challenging. That is one of the points she stressed today. The more familiar you get with the exercises the harder you can actually work. So rather than finding them easier I know find I can feel the burn even more as I am doing them correctly and working at my peak position. My legs felt like jelly by the end of today’s session.

TUESDAY, APRIL 29 – I don't remember much of today's lesson which is good because I obviously don't have to concentrate so hard, but bad because it left me feeling as if I probably didn’t work my hardest. I’m also very aware that there isn’t long left until the end of my challenge and I am wondering how I will shape up. I have already managed to slip into trousers that were too small before I started – yeay!

FRIDAY, MAY 2 – Agnes really made me work hard today! I had another solo session and so she decided to make me do some of the Super Callanetics exercises. There is no chance to be lazy with this workout out because as soon as you start feeling comfortable with something she changes it to make sure you are still challenged. I can definitely see a difference in my thighs now and miracle of miracles my cellulite seems to be disappearing.

SUNDAY, MAY 4 – Judgement day. My final session was bittersweet. It should have been my best but was partly ruined as unfortunately I had hurt my neck and found it painful to move. I still had a good session though and it was great thinking back to the beginning and realising how much stronger I am. I have noticed the difference in my body and so have other people. Not only do I look more toned but I feel stronger and have less back problems. I was amazed by the amount I lost from my upper arms and bust and although my hip measurements stayed the same, Agnes said this is due to the amount my bum has lifted and rounded, which I agree with. I’m also much more flexible and aware of my posture in general.

LAURA’S measurements after the first and 10th class (in inches):
■ Upper arm: 13 - 12
■ Bust: 43.5 - 42
■ Midriff: 34 - 33.5
■ Abdomen: 40 - 40
■ Hips: 42 - 42
■ Upper thigh - 25 - 24.5

This is 4.5 inches in 10 hours.

Cardio Callanetics runs at La Roche gym, Crown Lane, Maidenhead, on Thursdays at 8pm and Sundays at 11.30am. Ágnes also runs private classes at her Boyn Hill studio in Maidenhead. Details on 07766 883 040 or visit www.freewebs.com/agnesnagy