The time has come for our final Zaggora post and while we're a little late posting it, we promise to tell you what we made of the 30 day zaggora challenge.
If you've been following the blog lately, you'll have noticed that there weren't too many (ok, none) overtly positive comments about zaggora hotpants. In fact all we've heard from ladies e-mailing in is that their zaggora hotpants have ripped or laddered and that they feel quite cheated by the product - it's a fair complaint. Both Angela's hotpants and z's flares suffered the same fate, the customer service people at zaggora happily replaced Z's flares but didn't replace Angela's because they were ordered through firebox. Angela's still in the process of trying to get a replacement (if/when we receive a replacement we'll let you know).
Update: Z actually hasn't received her replacement flares...we're going to try and chase it up!
Update: Z actually hasn't received her replacement flares...we're going to try and chase it up!
Over the course of Angela's 37 day challenge she has lost; 1 stone 2.2 lbs. Which is a weight loss percentage of 7.25%. Check out her weight loss graph:
 |
| Angela's weight loss. |
We're still waiting for Z's results :)
Before we get to our conclusions, let's hit two of the major points raised:
Q: Angela and Z are working out a lot as it is; how do we know that their weight loss isn't just a result of all of their hardwork?
A: The short answer is that we don't know. What we do know is that it has given angela more confidence when it comes to working out in a gym full of people who range from a size 8 to a size 14. However, research has shown that Zaggora hotpants are a more effective weight loss aid when compared with a control item of clothing.
For a fitness professional's point of view we spoke to Angela's personal trainer, it's safe to say that she isn't impressed by the hotpants claims. In fact, she argues that Angela would have lost the same amount without the hotpants.
Q: Isn't it more of a placebo?
A: Now, we don't necessarily think that this product is a placebo. It is, however, a clever way to get even the laziest exerciser to do that little bit more. Everyone knows that the more you do, the more energy you burn. But the fact that this product throws in the notion of a fast track to weight loss helps shift almost any user into putting that little bit extra in for maximum results, which is a positive step to being more active.
Our Conclusions
Ultimately this product is not a weight loss cure all. Whatever your reason, healthy weight loss is work and while the hotpants can work, our results have been varied and their effect isn't clear given that angela has been working out pretty hard; 4-5 days a week for an average of 1 hour 10 minutes each day.
In terms of comfort angela has noted that the seams are very scratchy and have actually cut her after longer training sessions.
While you can find positive reviews on the Zaggora website and other blogs, the experimental background only shows how much you could lose in a 30 minute workout if you have a BMI of around 23.3. The thing is there is no study that has found out what happens when you use the hotpants repeatedly over a month long period or more, or whether it is more effective based on fitness level (e.g. would a more active or less active body respond to the product better?)
 |
| We're not hating, but with any claim like this "can" is the operative word. Just because I can eat a gluteny sandwich doesn't mean that I will. |
That doesn't mean that we don't think that they are a worthwhile product for people who need to lose weight. If you need that extra push Zaggora hotpants might be a worthwhile investment for you, the pricetag is a little steep and you might not get anything out of them. I own a pair of Zaggora flares and have been wearing them alongside angela so I could get an insight into their effect on the body. I do yoga, freeweights, running, zumba and hiking. In the 30 days I haven't lost any weight, I'm not eating more or less just going about my business. It might be that it's a better product for people who start off with a low activity level.
Zaggora's celu-lite technology is still a mystery, according to the product composition label Zaggora flares, capris and hotpants are 100% neoprene but according to the Zaggora blog , it is the "bio-ceramic technology embedded between the neoprene that makes the magic happen. Celu‐Lite™ emits far-infrared rays to reflect the wearer’s body heat back upon itself, leading to the deeper warming of tissue and breakdown of fat cells". For anyone interested, this patent might shed some light on it all...but we've still not been able to track down any empirical studies on the technology itself, if anyone has could you let us know?
We managed to find a patent from 2003 that discusses the use of bioceramics and neoprene in weight-loss clothing - which might be of interest to any of you out there interested in buying the hotpants.
Would we recommend it? Yes, but only if you are dedicated to a healthy weight loss program and only if you can afford it. Otherwise you may as well throw £44 away, and if you're planning on doing that you can give it to a lovely charity.
TBT rating: 8/10 (with conditions)
P.s. check back later for before/after photos and the conclusion of z's 30 day challenge.
