Media

February 2005

Allure Magazine

Body Trend - Killer Workout     

By Catherine Piercy

We can't decide which was more impressive: Uma Thurman's swordplay in Kill Bill or her lean, sculpted body. Now an exercise class called Forza, at Equinox Fitness Club and Reebok Sports Club/LA in New York City, is taking a stab at both. Created by martial-arts expert Ilaria Montagnani, the one-hour class's Japanese samurai movements incorporate a light plastic or wood sword and lunges, squats, and turns. Besides the cardiovascular benefits, the sword strokes tone the shoulders, chest, and back. Reebok's class has become wildly popular. "Something happens when you get a sword in your hands that doesn't happen on the StairMaster -- suddenly you don't mind working your butt off," Montagnani says. "And it doesn't hurt that you look cool doing it." Bottom Line: The 60 minutes of strikes and cuts left our arms incredibly sore -- but our adrenaline levels soaring.