Vacuum sealed

Madonna does it, Cheryl Cole swears by it and Katie Price has taken it for a spin. Even Robbie Williams has suited up. Hey, if it's good enough for Her Madgesty and Co, then it's good enough for me.

Hypoxitherapy is the latest celebrity craze, one designed to burn fat and reduce centimetres in a low-intensity workout — with quick results. This form of exercise has amassed a following in Dubai too.

Now, everybody knows thinness is only achieved through putting in hours and hours of gruelling training, right? Luddites, maybe. Why not let technology lend a hand?

The treatment is based on the premise that poor circulation hampers fat burning and muscle activity through exercise is necessary to burn fat. Hypoxitherapy combines these two aspects. The Hypoxi and Vacunaut systems were developed by an Austrian sports scientist who noticed that stubborn fat deposits in poorly circulated areas are resistant to diet and exercise.

"The therapy works," says Allison Pickford, director of Body-smart, one of the operators in the UAE. "It is for everyone, whether you're a gym junkie or a non-exerciser."

Pickford, who has been in the fitness industry for years, got in on it after she saw her results on the equipment. "Worldwide, we're the No 1 active slimming machines."

Sitting back and letting machines work for you might sound like a quick fix, but it isn't all that easy. "Like with everything, you have to follow the rules," Pickford says.

"The programme does require a lot of commitment."

Apart from following a healthy and balanced diet and honouring three to four sessions per week, these include consuming carbohydrates before and protein after sessions and drinking lots of water.

"The programme is recommended for men and women, as nothing shifts fat in the belly area like Vacunaut. In addition to being a slimming product, a lot of our clients also use it for weight maintenance," Pickford adds.

The staff are amazing and they provide you with nutritional guides in addition to positive reinforcement and lots of support.

The results:

I had a body analysis before and after 25 sessions of Hypoxi and Vacunaut treatments. Here is the breakdown:

Benefits:

Hypoxi:

After the initial tests and measurements, I showed up for my first session and made to wear what resembles a rubber skirt. Feet strapped into the pedals of a pressure chamber, the skirt then slots into a chamber, creating an airtight environment from the tummy down. I was then told to cycle at a gentle pace under a low atmospheric pressure — which creates resistance and increases blood flow to that area — without going over my maximum heart rate. The idea is to get your heart rate up and exercise the muscles without building muscle — the result of a high-intensity workout.

Throughout the 30 minute session, the air is alternately sucked out of and pumped into the chamber. With the pressurisation and depressurisation of the vacuum action, and muscles in the lower body working, more blood, oxygen and nutrients are directed there, which is said to increase cell activity and metabolism leading to fat burning faster.

In a nutshell, the muscles use up the fat that is forced into your blood stream by the low pressure.

This treatment is most popular with women who have cellulite and excess fat around the abdomen, hips and thighs.

Cheryl Cole has said: "I've got a Hypoxi-Therapy bike, for cellulite for bum, hips and thighs. It's like a pod, you sit in it and as you're pedalling, it kind of pops the fat cells, which I love, of course."

Vacunaut

The Vacunaut works just like Hypoxi, only it targets the middle section of the body, tackling the apple shape. Suited up in a wetsuit of sorts, I had what little air remained between my skin and the pressure suit the air sucked out and then had to walk on a treadmill for 40 minutes, again not exceeding my calculated maximum heart rate. With all the hoses and pipes attached, one does feel a bit like an astronaut, which is never a bad thing. The helpful, friendly and knowledgeable staff are always at head to pass you more water.

Go get yours: 

Bodysmart offers the Hypoxi and Vacunaut therapies, besides Dermology, LPG and Power Plate.

Prices of packages differ. On request only.