Toning Up: Can you spot reduce areas?

The quick answer is "I wish" it were that simple.

To answer my own question on whether you can tone up a specific area, the answer is unfortunately not. In order to tone up a specific part of our body, we do need to work other areas as well.

While you you do get the gym junkies who seem to work one particular area - if you've ever seen (and it's usually the men) people with massive shoulders and spindly legs you will know what we mean.

But have you ever tried to exercise and deliberately not use another part of your body?

• Can you walk and not swing your arms?
• Can you walk and not feel the muscles in your back and abdomen moving?

The answer is - it's ridiculous to even think it's possible to do. Besides which - why would you want one area to look fantastic and leave the other bits wobbly and un-toned?