Japanese fat-burning pants help you lose weight, dignity
One of the most bizarre technological pieces of clothing ever, Calorie Shapers are pants that help you lose weight. And they're real.
Oh my. These are genuine, we're afraid. And maybe it won't come as a surprise to find that Calorie Shaper -- pants that claim to help you lose weight by forcing you to work harder -- are from Japan.
Yes, pants that help you lose weight. We're not making this up.
Here's how they work. The fabric is made of a honeycomb structure that provides greater resistance than a standard pair of undercrackers, reports CNET News (in one of its finest investigative exposés in recent memory). This forces you to work harder to move as you would normally, which makes you burn more calories and lose weight, theoretically.
They come in two versions: training, and everyday. The everyday pair are designed to stay hidden under your clothing, so no one will know you're actually toning your buns as you run for the bus.
There is a disclaimer though: "There are individual differences in effect." So don't expect miracles.
The instructions also say you have to do a certain amount of physical activity every day. Why can't anything be simple?
There's also a song and dance routine that has to be seen to be believed. But be warned: there are close-ups of pants. And plenty of them.
Sadly they're only on sale in Japan at the moment, but if we lobby hard enough maybe they'll come to these shores. They sell for between £19 and £24 from the looks of things. But then what price can you put on a toned pelvic region?
Bonkers. Would you try a pair? We have to say it'd be hard to resist after watching the song and dance, with how much fun they seem to be having. Let us know what you think in the comments below or over on our Facebook page.