EVENING STANDARD October 2009

Take to the gym for a spot of retro-cising

It all started with Eric Prydz. In 2004, the Swedish DJ made an outrageous, semi-pornographic music video for his dance single Call on Me. Set in an Eighties-style aerobics class, it was filled with shaggy-haired Jane Fonda lookalikes dressed in shiny G-string leotards and legwarmers. The message was clear: the Eighties were back and they were sexy.

Laura Williams, a London-based fitness expert and personal trainer, thinks that there is much about the spirit of Eighties to be celebrated."I am always saying to my clients that no pain, no gain is no myth. The meaning of that has got lost - people think you mean that you should damage yourself, pull muscles or over-stretch but that's not it: exercise just ought to hurt a bit.

"I think we're in danger of being seduced by softer exercise options like Wii Fit and into believing that a yoga class constitutes a thorough workout. I think that the harder you work out, the better you feel afterwards."
"Anything that gets people exercising is great," adds Laura Williams.

"People can get to a stage where they're a bit frightened of exercise, when there's no need. Even if you're quite unfit, it doesn't take long to catch up."

To book a session or to find out how Laura can help you get into shape, email her at laura@laurawilliamsonline.co.uk

Or call her on 07712 001525.