Celebrity Trainers' Top 15 Workout Secrets

Models and actresses have the best bodies going. They have to—they could be called on to wear a latex catsuit at a moment's notice. Us, not so much. But we still want to get quick, dramatic results. We asked six top celebrity trainers to share their best tips as inspiration for meeting our own goals.



WORKOUT IN THE MORNING
"You'll boost your metabolism for the day. If you wait, something else will come up." —Teddy Bass

Celebrity clients: Cameron Diaz, Christina Applegate, Lucy Liu


DO CARDIO FOR AT LEAST 40 MINUTES
"Yes, a 15-minute burst is better than nothing, but it takes 35 minutes to burn off blood sugar before your body can start metabolizing fat." —Andie Hecker

Celebrity clients: Ginnifer Goodwin, Natalie Portman, Kristen Bell


DON'T OBSESS ABOUT THE SCALE
"You need a way to monitor your body, but clothes are a better indicator. Every week, try on the same pair of jeans." —Ramona Braganza

Celebrity clients: Jessica Alba, Anne Hathaway, Kate Beckinsale


DON'T WATCH TV ON THE TREADMILL OR ELLIPTICAL
"You don't work out as intensely, which means you burn far fewer calories than if you go hard for that same amount of time." —Tracy Anderson

Celebrity clients: Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna, Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Richie


MAKE TIME FOR FITNESS EVERY DAY
"Doing a little bit all the time is so much better than doing a lot once in a while." —Gunnar Peterson

Celebrity clients: Halle Berry, Kim Kardashian, Sofia Vergara


INDULGE—A LITTLE
"I don't like banning a food completely, because then you'll crave it the most." —Teddy Bass


MOVE YOUR (ENTIRE) BODY
"You burn more calories when you work your upper and lower body at the same time. Jumping on a mini trampoline while doing different ballet arms, using a weighted jump rope, or swimming for 20 minutes are all good options." —Andie Hecker


SNACK SMART
"Fuel yourself 20 minutes before a workout with a protein bar. But don't down a sports drink or coconut water after—you'll be drinking calories when water would be fine." —Tracy Anderson


UP YOUR INTENSITY
"You can't keep doing the same Spinning class or 20-minute jog and expect a different result." —Teddy Bass


LOSE THE LIQUID DIET
"Don't do juice fasts or cleanses—they're not effective, sustainable, or healthy." —Harley Pasternak

Celebrity clients: Jennifer Hudson, Lady Gaga, Megan Fox, Katy Perry


RETHINK YOUR GOALS
"Instead of jumping rope for ten minutes, do it for 100 jumps. If you measure accomplishment by time, there's no incentive to go harder." —Gunnar Peterson


GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK
"Working out five days a week is great; six or seven isn't better. Your muscles actually react better when they have downtime to recuperate." —Ramona Braganza


WALK WHILE YOU TALK
"You're more likely to eat when you're sitting than when you're moving around." —Harley Pasternak


SWITCH UP YOUR WORKOUT
"Muscles get smart and strong fast, so change your routine every ten days. It takes that long to make a change in your body, but over time a workout gets static and less effective." —Tracy Anderson


BE ACTIVE ALL DAY
"It's not only what you do in the gym, but also what you do the other 23 hours a day. Take the stairs, park far away, or get out of the cab and walk." —Harley Pasternak

Via Allure

Pilates Exercises for Beginners

The Hundred

Lie on your back with your legs at a 90-degree angle (knees in line with hips). Curl your head and shoulders off the floor, keeping your arms straight and off the floor along the sides of your body. Pump your arms at your sides, keeping your shoulders down and away from your ears, and your core engaged (I like to think of knitting the ribs together). Work your way up to a count of 100. Focus on inhaling through your nose and exhaling through the mouth as you do this. For an even greater challenge, extend your legs out on an angle.

The Roll Up

Lie down on your back with your body in one long line. Inhale and reach your arms to the ceiling. Exhale and slowly peel your body off the floor (one vertebrae at a time), beginning with your head and shoulders, until you are able to sit all the way up, bringing your head towards your knees and reaching your arms out in front of you. If you get stuck, bend your knees on the way up. Reverse the flow of your movement on the way back down, tucking your tailbone under and inhaling to roll back down to your back. Stay slow and controlled throughout. This exercise is not only great for working your core, but also helps to realign your spine.

Swimming

Lie down on your chest with your arms and legs extended straight out (your palms should be facing down). Keeping your core engaged, lift all your limbs off the floor. As if you were paddling through water, quickly flutter-kick both your arms and legs as you inhale and exhale. Work for a count of six to eight. Relax and try again. Swimming will help strengthen your core by working your lower back.


Sara Haley (SaraFitness.com) is a Fitness DVD Personality, Master Trainer and Creative Consultant for Reebok.

Via Pilates Exercises for Beginners - Easy Beginner Pilates Exercises - Real Beauty