So how do they all stay in such good shape?

The answer varies for the individual expedition members.

Veronica has always had a strict fitness regime. One of her favorites is the dino jog, a form of jogging, which is enhanced by a carnivorous dinosaur who follows the jogger closely and thus provides added motivation to increase speed. It is a sport that is not for everyone, several Zanga men actually lost their lives when they wanted to prove to Veronica that they could match or even exceed her fitness level. Most of the explorers have joined Veronica in this sport one time or another.

Professor Challenger is suffering from arthritis, therefore his exercise routine is adapted to his age and health. He is doing regular stretching exercises and is swimming three times a week. This exercise regime has proven very effective in keeping him fit, while not straining his aching joints.

Marguerite Krux claims not to have a fitness regime. In her own words: “This body was given to me by Mother Nature, I don’t need to work on it.”

We found out that while Mother Nature has certainly been kind to Miss Krux, she is also making sure that Father Time is kept at bay. Her fitness regime consists of weight training, power walking, fencing and even kick-boxing with a local Zanga trainer. She usually pretends to hunt for gems, while in reality she is keeping her lovely figure.

Lord Roxton and Ned Malone can often be seen working out together. Weight training, boxing and yoga are favorites of these gentlemen. Upon hearing about the Pilates craze in the civilized world Lord Roxton also tried to introduce this exercise program to the Plateau, but unfortunately it did not really take off, mainly due to lack of appropriate equipment.

For several months Mr. Malone and Lord Roxton worked out with the Amazon tribe. These women have a highly sophisticated training program, which they gladly shared with the two men. For reasons unknown to us Miss Krux and Miss Layton did not approve of the frequent trips of the men to the Amazon village – probably because the men had to cross hostile cannibal territory and the ladies were worried about their health and safety.

Our correspondent Vantu Kyle had the chance to interview Miss Krux and Miss Layton about the fateful day, when they suggested to Mr. Malone and Lord Roxton that they should stop working out with the Amazons.

Vantu Kyle: "Miss Krux, let’s start with you. Why were you opposed to those trips to the Amazon village?"

Marguerite: “Don’t think for a moment that I was jealous. I’m not. Roxton is a big boy, as is Malone. All I wanted to make sure is that we don’t have to rescue them again. I’m way too busy to run after these guys.”

VK: “Miss Layton?”

Veronica: “Just like Marguerite I was very unemotional about those frequent visits to the Amazon village. Ned can do whatever he wants. We are just friends after all.”

VK: “But one day you made this suggestion that changed the fitness picture on the Plateau, right? Who made the suggestion?”
M (a little puzzled): “You know… I don’t really remember. Do you, Veronica?”
V (equally puzzled): “No. Not really. Well, suffice it to say, we told Roxton and Malone that they had reached a fitness level that should enable them to become personal trainers and that they should consider opening a gym at the Zanga Mall.”

VK: “And only a few weeks later “John&Ned’s Fitness Haven” was opened. A historical moment in Plateau history!”
M: “Yes. We knew that we needed a full service gym at the Zanga Mall, but who would have thought that it would be such a success?”

VK: “I also heard that both Lord Roxton and Mr. Malone were flooded with requests from female clients and that both of you insisted that only 10% of their clients should be female and that you would do the screening of suitable female clients. Care to comment?”

M: “That’s ridiculous!”

V: “What do you take me for? Ned can train whomever he wants.”

M: “This interview is OVER!”

Unfortunately after this incident Vantu Kyle was not allowed to set foot in the Treehouse anymore. He lost his unpaid job at the Fashion Plateau as a result and is currently drowning his sorrow in Plateau Pilsner at Chief Jacoba’s Ale House. Well, no one said that fashion journalism was easy.