Fitness expert and personal trainer, The Bodydoctor, achieves astonishing results

Dedicated Gyms in Primrose Hill Chelsea

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Harpers Bazaar

Intensive fitness EXPERT: David Marshall
WHERE: the Bodydoctor, London gyms and a mauritius retreat
who goes: Sophie Dahl, Kate Moss, Rachel Weisz

Over recent months, I've come to realise that there are exercises that maintain your shape and exercises that change it. I go to the gym on average twice a week, have had five personal trainers over the past four years and three yoga-class passes, but all I've managed to do is keep the shape I had five years ago. What I've always wanted, however, are the sorts of changes that are so obvious, people comment.I knew it was possible;I just didn't know how.

Then I discovered David Marshall, aka the Bodydoctor, the man behind Sophie Dahl's transformation from size 16 to 10. Marshall is the maverick fitness world, not just because this slightly of the eccentric man is the antithesis of the typical body-beautiful LA trainer (aside from his high-profile client list), but because he challenges traditional workouts - and in doing so claims some astonishing results. After sizing me up, Marshall brusquely told me I could'lose half a stone. a dress size and inches in a week'.

I was hooked, so much so that I signed up to his wellness programme at Constance Le Prince Maurice hotel in Mauritius. His non-starry, down-to-earth approach - and the thought of going to the Indian Ocean for some intensive training - gave me the push I needed (plus, if it's good enough for Kate Moss, it's good enough for me).

Idyllic it may be - blue sea, white sands and swaying palm-trees - but with Marshall's regime, delivered by a team trained by him, there's no time for sun-lounging. Every morning,I'm in the gym by 7am;by five past,I'm sweating on the treadmill. But this is not just about working out; it's about learning how to work out - how much you lift and how many times, and the positioning and order of each exercise. At least 95 per cent of people train incorrectly, which makes muscles bigger, bulkier and tighter,'says Marshall. 'It's important that you start every workout with 15 minutes on the treadmill, as this gets the muscles into the fat-burning zone for your entire workout.'After that, we move on to a 45-minute weights workout, working each part of my body systematically, from top to toe.

I also quickly learn that the way I've been taught to use weights (three sets of 10 repetitions, with a break in-between) only burns the fat under the skin, and not the fat found in the muscles. It's only when you burn this 'muscular'fat that you get that gorgeous, lean and shapely figure - and to do this, I discover, I need to find the weight that I can just manage to lift 25 times. Then, when I've worked out every part of my body, I finish with a 2O-minute cool-down - knowing that, with Marshall's programme, even now I'm burning calories.

But with Marshall it's not all about gain through pain;thankfully, he's also a huge believer in the muscle-lengthening and toning power of massage. His masseur, Carlos Jalon, trained the therapists at Constance Le Prince Maurice, and it shows.I highly recommend Isram - my massage and reflexology were outstanding; his hands melted tension I didnt even know I had. Add to that early-morning t'ai chi lessons, and I begin to see how this wellness programme works so well, from teaching you how to work out and eat, to how to stretch and when to relax.

After just five days, I definitely feel tighter and lighter - and, best of all, I'm totally inspired - so, since coming back, I have signed up for sessions with David at one of his London studios.It's the same 9O-minute format - a warm-up, weights and a warm-down - but with Marshall patrolling the premises, your 'train smart' tools will be sharpened; there's just no letting up. Ifyou can't get to his London headquarters, try his DVD; I've been using it, and it's very effective.

This isn't just another quick fix - I should know, because I've tried them all. Aside from the initial weight loss, the real selling point of this bootcamp is that it has given me a real fitness rethink. I haven't yet got my desired body shape, but I can see that I'm on my way to it, especially on my legs and torso. KATYYOUNG

In the UK, the Bodydoctor runs training courses at dedicated gyms in Pimrose Hill and Chelsea; for more information, ring 020 7586 6222. Seven nights at Constance Le Prince Maurice in Mauritius, from £1,870 a person half board, including flights with Air Mauritius (www.airmauritius.com) and transfers with carrier (0161 491 7660; www.carrier.co.uk) . A thress day Bodydoctor wellness programme at Constance Le Prince Maurice costs from about £200 a person.

THE BODYDOCTOR'S RULES.
'LIFT WEIGHTS - it's key to burning fat in muscles ond getting that "cut" shope. Find a weight where you can just make 25 lifts but the 26th is beyond you; start at two to five kilogroms.'
'REST BETWEEN WORKOUTS for ot leost o doy. Your muscles need to repoir.'
'MAKE EVERY SESSION AN ENTIRE-BODY WORKOUT rather than doing legs one day and arms the next. lt's the only way to get that totally balanced figure.'
'STRETCH to keep muscles long and lean. Most people don't do enough of it as part of their workout, so make time to fit in some t'ai chi, yogo or Pilates.'
'GET REGULAR MASSAGES to lengthen ond loosen tight muscles. This will also prevent muscle damage.'
'TREAT THE BODY AS A BALANCED MACHINE, and you'll get a balanced figure. Match every exercise with an inverse movement.'
'WORK OUT lN THE MORNING - it boosts your metabolism, helping you burn more colories during the day.'

DIY TIPS
Download a workout with David Marshall, aka the Bodydoctor, onto your ipod, at www.bodydoctor.com. The website also has details of his two London gyms, his DVD and his book; and by visiting www.bodydoctor.com/harpersbazaar, Bazaar readers can buy the book and DVD together for a special offer price of £35.

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