Summer slimmers - Madeleine Lewis - interview

American Fitness, July-August, 1990

SUMMER SLIMMERS

Catch the wave of summer with Madeleine Lewis' award-winning fat-melting moves.

Now with summer here and bikini season upon us, many have an added incentive to trim off those last stubborn pounds. The unique attributes of a fat-burning class are especially suited to this time of the season.

Recent laboratory studies have demonstrated that at the low end of the training heart rate our bodies burn a larger percentage of fat calories than calories of any other kind. However, when working at the low end of the training heart rate, it takes a longer period of time to burn a beneficial number of total calories. Therefore, an aerobic class designed to specifically target fat must include these special characteristics:

* Lower intensity steps which will not make large energy demands * An extended aerobic section which will provide for the expenditure of a significant number of calories -- usually 30 to 45 minutes in a one hour class.

Exercising at a comfortable pace is highly appropriate for the hot summer months -- plus you'll get the results you want.

The fat-burning class presents a challenge for instructors: How do you keep your students' interest and energy level high while working at such low intensity? On one hand, high impact steps for energy and interests risks injury over a long period of time. On the other, using low energy steps is boring. The ideal fat-burning class should include a combination of high, low and moderate intensity moves, creative arm patterns, combinations of basic steps, an occasional jump, style steps and power moves.

PHOTO : DANCERCISE Blending high (a), moderate (b) and low (c) intensity moves gives you lots of

PHOTO : opportunities for creative choreography.

PHOTO : UP IN ARMS Arm combinations can add diversity and intensity to basic steps and liven

PHOTO : things up at the same time.

PHOTO : POWER MOVES Power moves are standing leg work routines featuring such strengthening

PHOTO : movements as lunges (a) and piles; appended to the end of your aerobic section, in

PHOTO : combination with leg lifts (b) and low impact maneuvers, these moves can maintain the

PHOTO : training effect while at the same time helping to create more lean muscle mass.

PHOTO : STRIKE A POSE "Vogue" poses are a creative and enjoyable way to work at a lower intensity.

PHOTO : SPRING TRAINING Jumps inject fun into basic steps, and also serve to strengthen and tone

PHOTO : the muscles of the buttocks and legs.