Follow the exercise plans of the stars
Most of us look at celebrities' bodies with a mixture of envy and resignation -- if only we had her genes; if only we had his millions, we, too, could afford help from the best nutritionists and trainers.
"The A-List Workout"
By Alyssa Shaffer (McGraw-Hill, 226 pages, hardcover, $22.95)
|
Well, you can cross out the second excuse, now that Fitness magazine's fitness editor, Alyssa Shaffer, has come out with "The A-List Workout." In it, she reveals the exclusive exercise plans that superstars pay top dollar to get. Each chapter reveals the celebrity trainer's exercise plan, the specific body part they target and the celebrity trained under that program. Some examples:
Strong, sexy back: Jessica Simpson, Ashlee Simpson, Natalie Maines and Emily Robinson of the Dixie Chicks; trainer Mike Alexander
Flat abs, firm core: Lucy Liu, Paris Hilton and Christina Applegate; trainer Teddy Bass
Lean, sexy legs: Claire Danes, Molly Sims, Anne Hathaway, several Sports Illustrated swimsuit and Victoria's Secret models; trained by Joe Dowdell
Getting flexible: Christina Aguilera, Mandy Moore, Tori Spelling and Lauren Graham; trainer Ashley Borden
Shaffer, who is also a certified personal trainer, recommends checking with a doctor before starting any exercise program, then incorporating exercises to address the three pillars of fitness: strength, cardiovascular health and flexibility.
A primary component of many exercises is use of an inflatable exercise ball, loved by trainers because balancing on them requires challenging your core (abdominal and lower back) muscles.
The book closes with trainer Larry Krug's A-list diet that calls for healthy carbs low on the glycemic index, fruit, vegetables, high-quality low-fat protein, and small quantities of monounsaturated fats.
None of this could be considered easy work, but if it were easy, the stars wouldn't be as dazzling.