Get a fab body FAST!

Helen Foster

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Want to know what really works? Hollywood’s most in-demand trainers reveal their top tried-and-tested exercises to Helen Foster.

FOR A BEAUTIFUL BOOTY
Clay Burwell counts True Blood star Anna Paquin among his celebrity clients – and he claims she’s one of the fittest women in Hollywood. “I’d lay money on it – she can run 16km, box for an hour and then do an hour of pilates, all in one session,” he told us – and this from a man who keeps toothbrushes at his gym for the many people who throw up during his super-intense training. The good news: he’s only giving us one move to try – the one which will give you a “Burwell butt”.

If you’re at the gym, get a barbell with the heaviest weights you can lift 15 times while maintaining good form. Lift this on to your shoulders, then do a lunge. This means a big step forward with your right leg, then dipping your body down so both left and right knees bend.

“Having the barbell on your shoulders doesn’t just add weight, it also means you have to keep your back straight, which focuses the move in your glutes,” says Clay. Return to the start position, then repeat the move on the other leg. Do three sets of 10-15, alternating legs each time. If you’re not at the gym, perform the lunges without the barbell, but do 15-20 reps, focusing on keeping your back straight.

VIEW HEALTH & WELLBEING: Best celebrity bodies of 2009

FOR ACE ABS
If you’re a pregnant star who wants her abs back fast, you call on Ramona Braganza – Halle Berry, Jessica Alba and Ashlee Simpson-Wentz all did. “Jess got back in shape in two-and-a-half months, Halle in four,” she tells us. However, her top tummy-flattening move works as well on non-mum tums as it does on post-pregnancy ones.

Squat with your hands in front of your feet. Now jump your feet and legs into a horizontal plank position (with your body and legs in a straight line, balancing on your hands and toes), hold for a second then jump back to the starting squat position, then a standing position. Repeat. “With new mums we start with five at a time; everyone else can do 15,” says Ramona. Do three sets.

FOR A WHITTLED WAIST
Justin Gelband is the model maker – he sculpts the bodies of the Victoria’s Secret Angels, including Miranda Kerr. He’s known for creating fit forms who keep their sexy curves, and here’s his top waist-whittling move.

With a 1-2kg weight in each hand, spread your legs hip-width apart and put your arms out in front of you – now punch out and across your body with your left, then right, arm. Extend your arms, but do not lock your elbows. As you punch, follow the move by twisting from your waist – making sure you also pivot on your feet, otherwise you’ll hurt your knees. Do 10-15 moves punching at shoulder level, then lower the weights to chest height, then waist height. Repeat three times.