The lowdown Society favourite Teresa Tarmey has a cult following for her chemical peels and laser facials, which result in sleeker cheekbones and jawlines (especially her intense and signature workout known as the FaceStim) and it was only a matter of time until she added a non-invasive and extremely effective body treatment to her repertoire. The Tri-Body Experience took Tarmey six months to devise and combines her love of manual lymphatic drainage and the hi-tech BodyStim device, which marries radiofrequency and muscle stimulation to sculpt abs, tone glutes and lift bottoms; all without a Pilates reformer in sight.
Under the wing of her assistant, the infinitely reassuring Brazilian practitioner Josie - who, gadgets aside, has magic hands for nipping in your waist — things kick off with the BodyStim, and gel is applied to your stomach before she runs the gizmo across it, heating the skin's lower levels to a toasty 40 degrees, thus stimulating collagen- and hyaluronic acid-production to improve texture and promote deep-tissue rejuvenation. Next, a series of small pads are positioned on strategic points of the upper and lower abdomen, Josie switches on the current and you're given 25 minutes of muscle stimulation, when abs and obliques dance involuntarily and in perfect synchronicity. But the best is yet to come.
Cue Josie's signature lymphatic drainage and sculpting massage: a series of long, flowing strokes that will leave you near-asleep on the table.
Pain factor The radiofrequency is incredibly relaxing: as if you're being massaged with hot stones. And while the muscle stimulation doesn't hurt per se, the sensation is rather bizarre. (A sort of intense tickling, interrupted by bursts of energy that make you feel like you have performed countless crunches or planks.) Fortunately, Josie goes slowly, allowing the frequency to rise gradually; and once you're at your threshold, she'll do her best to distract you from any discomfort by massaging your scalp, face and arms.
Downtime Post-treatment, aim to drink plenty of water to aid the detoxification process.Forget working out, hot baths or saunas for the next 24 hours. And expect to wake the next day with the satisfying ache you get from a good session in the gym.
Results Thrillingly, you'll see new-found definition pretty much straight away: cores appear tighter and the silhouette looks noticeably firmer. One Tri-Body gives fabulous results, but a course of six sessions spread out over five to seven days and focusing on specific areas - say, the stomach, bottom and calves - is a game-changer. Inches disappear from even the most stubborn waistlines and rock-hard abs await, especially if you improve your diet and ramp-up your exercise regime. And now you've seen such seismic results, you'll finally stick to it.
Details From £290 at The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel (teresatarmey.com).
