Power Plate my5 Get on, place both hands on the handle, vibrate, repeat. How much simpler can a workout get? On paper, the Power Plate sounds impressive – it shakes the hell out of you and in 15 minutes delivers the same results as an hour spent in the gym. The device is built on the theory that each vibration creates instability in the body, which thus forces your muscles to vigorously work out (between 30 to 50 contractions per second) in order to regain stability – just call it this generation’s version of the popular 1980s vibrating machine. To be fair, the Power Plate isn’t a total carbon copy. For starters, it looks a whole lot sleeker and you can use it in a few different ways: standing up, in a push-up pose, or you could even sit on it to receive full vibration (ahem!) therapy. And if you’re the kind of person that believes everything you read, the Advanced Vibration Technology powering the shake-shake-shake platform doesn’t just help you shed those extra kilograms, but also claims to improve your blood circulation, flexibility, and increase bone and muscle strength.
$8,800. Available from Positive Impact (6559 6267, www.powerplate.com.sg). 

Omron Walking Style HJ113 
Obsessive calorie counters will love the Omron Walking Style HJ113. A palmsized pedometer that also functions as a timepiece, it tracks your distance, the number of steps you take, and the amount of calories and body fat burned for up to a seven-day period. What’s more, it can also tell the difference between periods when you’re walking normally (read: strolling) and when you’re engaging in an aerobic workout (read: running to catch a cab). And because it uses highly intelligent sensor technology, you don’t have to attach the pedometer to your pants or keep it near your skin – simply toss it in your bag and it will run just fine. 
$39.90. Available at Guardian Pharmacy, Watson’s Personal Stores and Unity NTUC Healthcare. 

AIBI Goldfish Shaker 
At first glance, the AIBI Goldfish Shaker looks like a foot massager, but it’s not. The goal of this device – which, can we point out, looks nothing like a goldfish or a shaker – isn’t to dispense a relaxing foot massage, but rather to get you exercising, albeit in a relaxed position. Just lie face up with your lower calves and ankles slotted into the leg-rest portion of the machine and control the swaying motion with the handheld controller. Do this for 15 minutes and you’ve clocked up the equivalent of 10,000 steps. Is this for real, you ask? Well, according to the good people at AIBI, it is. With the Goldfish Shaker, you can lose weight and also improve your blood circulation, burn excess fat, and relieve back and muscle aches. It’s almost too good to be true...and you know what that usually means. 
$598. Available at #03-06 Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Rd (6278 0082); #02-103 Suntec City Mall, 3 Temasek Blvd (6334 0322); and all AIBI authorised dealers (6533 8555, www.aibifitness.com). 

Polar F55 Heart Rate Monitor 
If you don’t want to spring for a personal trainer, you might consider investing in the Polar F55 Heart Rate Monitor. It’s pretty much the same thing, minus the ‘you can do it’ cries of encouragement. A nifty little gadget-watch, it uses a wireless monitor to measure your heart rate and Polar Keeps U Fit technology to map out a personalised fitness program. Details flash on the screen to remind you of your cardio and muscletoning needs: ‘squats: 2 sets, 8-12 reps, 24kg weights’. Those instructions – along with information about calories burned – help monitor your progress and fitness goals. The gadget also lets you vary the intensity of your workout over three different levels – light, moderate and hard. 
$399. Available at New Balance Concept Shop (6336 3867), World of Sports outlets and Running Lab outlets. Go to www.polarelectro.com.sg for a complete list of stores.