iShape Reviewer's Comments

**As of April of 2008, iShape's online diet service will longer exists. They are not currently accepting new memberships.** 

iShape is brought to you by the publishers of SHAPE magazine. iShape focuses on eating healthy and exercise. They claim their program is not a quick fix gimmick diet, rather a life changing experience designed to improve your quality of life. A series of questions will determine your health and fitness level as well as your favorite foods. iShape will then customize an exercise and meal plan specifically for you.

iShape’s weight loss program is heavily concentrated on exercise. Their customized and scheduled workout programs encourage regular cardio and strength training activities. iShape does not include a diary or news articles to supplement your weight loss goals.

Food:  

Based on the answers to the questionnaire, iShape will create and email daily meal plans for you including breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. There are recipes for all of your suggested meals. If you do not like the meals iShape chooses, you can substitute your meals with a selection of comparable alternatives. You can also incorporate your own favorite meals by adding the nutritional values into your food log.

Excerise:  

iShape’s main focus is on its exercise program. During the initial questionnaire, iShape will determine your physical fitness level and customize an exercise plan specifically for you. They include a combination of cardiovascular with strength training exercises to maximize weight loss.

They will also create a workout schedule for you. This is a detailed day–to–day schedule of your workouts. You record your exercises in your personal online log and they calculate your caloric output. You can also include daily activities that are not part of your scheduled workout. Strength training videos are included to demonstrate proper form.

There is also a monthly progress report, detailing your activities and progress.

Community:  

There is little focus on people and community support. iShape does have message boards which allows you to post messages to other members, but this is its only form of community support. There isn’t a nutrition or fitness expert to email, nor are there online support groups or chat.

Additional Tools:  

iShape’s program provides few additional tools. They do have printable shopping lists and a calorie counter, but they do not provide a journal to record your personal thoughts or feeling, nor are there additional news or articles relating to health and fitness.

Ease of Use/Support:  

Compared to many other diet services, iShape provides several tools to help you learn about the company prior to signing up. The online tour explains many of the benefits and features included with iShape’s program. There is a help center similar to a FAQ section, which will answer many of your questions. If you can’t find what you are looking for, you can email a question to the customer service department. There is also a telephone contact, but it is on the third page of the registration process.