How healthy are those buff celebrity bodies?

Trying to achieve celebrity-style muscle tone can do you more harm than good

Bulges (in all the right places) are no longer just for men. Sculpted arms, six-pack abs and lean, toned legs are the latest must-have accessories for women too. The muscled body look is everywhere. Geri Halliwell has transformed herself from bosomy babe into hard little body.

Even after two kids, you still can't miss Madonna's bulging abs and signature sinewy arms. Although not new - think back to Linda Hamilton in Terminator and Demi Moore in GI Jane - this particular body type is now ubiquitous. Even Renee Zellweger, two stone plumper for Bridget Jones, has, in a matter of months, re-morphed herself into a muscle-bound yet petite package.

What you don't read in the media however is what these celebs go through to maintain their toned physiques. You don't get abs like Jennifer Aniston or legs like Destiny's Child by leading a moderately active life and watching what you eat. Regardless, women still ask the question, 'What do I have to do to look like her?'

'Aspiring to have a body like a celeb isn't just unrealistic, it's dangerous,' says Josh Salzmann, iVillage's UK fitness expert, and personal trainer to Hollywood actresses and personalities such as Angelina Jolie and the Duchess of York. Many high-profile actresses and singers follow rigorous diets (including cutting out most, if not all, carbohydrates) and strenuous workout programmes.

Why shouldn't we try for abs like Geri's or arms like Madonna's? 'You can never know how grueling someone's fitness programme or diet is, regardless of what you read. Even if you follow that person's exact diet and exercise plan, there's no guarantee your body will respond in the same way,' says Salzmann.

He adds that many celebs stick to strict workout schedules of up to three hours a day to maintain the look. Although they look toned and fit, a programme this intense doesn't allow their body enough time to recuperate efficiently from exercise.

'Many Hollywood actors use artificial growth hormones to stay energised and help their bodies 'recover' from workouts so they can keep hitting the gym,' he says. What they don't realise is that muscles grow and become toned while recovering and resting, not during actual training. This kind of arduous schedule leads to a state of moderate to severe under-recovery. Over-training puts you at risk of injury.

Attempts to emulate a celebrity figure can be sabotaged by basic genes. If you are five foot, for example, you'll never have legs like Cindy Crawford because she's at least ten inches taller. Continual failure to reach your goal will only discourage you from exercising and eating properly, warns Salzmann.