Want Jennifer Aniston’s body? Because you can have it. Did you know that? Okay, you can’t specifically have Jenn’s body, but you can have one that looks just like hers. Jennifer’s celeb fitness trainer, Mandy Ingber, dishes on how she trains Jennifer.
Tips from Mandy:
Start with cardio: Ingber suggests 30-60 minutes, three times a week. “Try running, cycling or even walking.”
Work thighs: “Temple pose is essentially a yoga squat. You plant your feet wide, then plie squat and hold for 30 seconds. Then plie deeply 8 times, followed by 8 quick shallow pulses. Repeat.”
Tone calves: “Lovely calves are underrated. Repeat this series slowly twice. Get on the balls of your feet, then lift and lower yourself 8 times followed by 8 quicker pulses.”
For more exercises, get Mandy’s DVD (and Jennifer Aniston’s workout), Yogalosophy.
Professional yogis don’t use yoga mats just to keep their feet on a soft surface during yoga postures, they use yoga mats because they are incredibly beneficial to help you stretch further. Yoga mats, sometimes called sticky mats, are thick rubber-like surfaces, about 4 feet wide, designed to be under foot while you are doing yoga or Pilates workouts.
When you place your hands and feet on a yoga mat, they almost stick (and sink) into the soft mat, keeping your hands and feet securely firm, with no worry of slipping out of your posture. They are also fabulous for doing stretches, enabling you to stretch deep into your stretches with your feet and/or hands essentially glued to the mat. It truly makes a difference in your workouts.
Also great to stimulate the spine. How to: Lay on your back, hold your bent legs to your chest, wrapping your arms around your bent legs, and rock in a boat pose from head to feet. The thickness of the yoga mat keeps it comfortable for your spine. It will feel like a back massage!
Kiss the carpet goodbye, and try using a yoga mat during your next yoga/Pilates/stretching session. It increases your flexibility by 25% to even 50%. (Those aren’t scientific percentages…it’s just what I can feel in my own workouts.)
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Proof! Proof that smooth, soft legs can be achieved with regular exfoliation (try this!), regular careful shaving (try this!), and an ultra-indulgent lotion to soften (try this!)
What I’m loving now: Gilad’s Express Workouts. Gilad gives you 15 express workouts that are under 10 minutes each. He gives you fat burning cardio workouts, calorie burning strength workouts, core workouts, and sculpting workouts that target every muscle group in your body. Now you can customize your results by focusing on the body parts you need to work on the most. Complete workout charts are available on Gilad’s website for download. Gilad is the host and producer of the award-winning fitness shows Bodies in Motion and Total Body Sculpt and has been voted FitTV’s fitness instructor of the year 4 years in a row. In 2007, he was inducted into the national Fitness Hall of Fame (a well-deserved title.)
I’ve been working out with Gilad since 1989 and always count on him to wear me out during every workout. He’s tough, but keeps you motivated every step of the way…not to mention, the boy is extremely easy on the eyes. Check your library to see if they carry this DVD and try it for yourself. Your body will look better because of it!
Technique: Bikram yoga is often called “hot” yoga. It’s performed in a heated room with temperatures ranging from 95 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The style emphases a series of 26 postures designed to stretch the muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Benefits: It is thought that a heated room enables one to stretch further and promote sweating, which removes toxins from the body.
Cautions: Of note, Bikram yoga is very intense, and not intended for everyone. Consult your OB if you are pregnant.
Watch this clip for a more thorough explanation of Bikram yoga.
Working out does more for you than boost your sex appeal. According to a recent study by the University of Bristol in England, there are serious perks to exercising before or during your workday. They found that 72% of people improved their time management, 74% managed their workload better, and 79% were sharper and more focused. Switch your workouts to early morning or midday to gain the added benefits above.
Elliptical machines are the treadmills of the new millennium. The elliptical machine is essentially a treadmill meets stair stepper. Smooth fluid motions protects your joints, while getting full cardio benefits. This is an excellent piece of equipment for any home gym…and, you can win it! Click here to win this Smooth Fitness Elliptical Trainer.
You may also like this related blog post on home gyms…check out mine:
Get your skin bikini-ready. Taking 1000 mg of Omega 3 Fatty Acids a day can help heel dry skin from the inside out. Besides being an integral part of the membranes that surround our skin cells, these essential fats are a key component of the lubricating layer that keeps skin supple.
