Get the Body You Crave With Celeb-Inspired Workouts
Reinvent your shape with celebrity trainers' best moves
Wonder how the stars do it—keep their abs, legs, and butt in tip-top shape? We've got their secrets. From Halle Berry's back and shoulders to Jessica Alba's abs, we talked to the trainers that keep celebrities looking hot.
1 of 12
Jessica Biel's Arms
Her secret weapon:
Jason Walsh, Los Angeles–based trainer
His top arm move: Push-Ups
Why it’s great: “When I say this is a must-do exercise, most women look at me like I’m crazy,” Walsh admits. “But everybody I train ends up doing push-ups at some point because they are so beneficial. They help you get incredible arms!”
How to: Lie on your stomach with your hands just outside your shoulders, elbows bent to about 45 degrees, and fingers spread; your toes should be tucked under with legs straight and abs pulled in tight. (For less of a challenge, start with your hands on a raised surface, like a tabletop.) Take a deep breath and push yourself up, keeping your body in a straight line—don’t push hips up or let belly drop toward the floor. Slowly lower yourself back down to the starting position. Work your way up to 3 sets of 10 reps.
2 of 12
Halle Berry's back and shoulders
Her secret weapon:
Harley Pasternak, Los Angeles–based trainer and author of 5-Factor Diet
His top back-and-shoulders move: Dumbbell Back Rows
Why it’s great: “This exercise strengthens the rhomboids, the muscles in your upper back that connect your shoulder blades to your spine, giving you a toned back and much better posture,” Pasternak says. “You’ll look great in backless dresses, too!”
How to: Sit on a stability ball, holding a 5- to 8-pound dumbbell in each hand. Bend at the waist until torso is parallel to the floor, chest is on knees, and arms are hanging toward the floor. Draw elbows back and up, bringing shoulder blades toward each other, then lower dumbbells back down; that’s 1 rep. Do 3 sets of 20 reps.
3 of 12
Jennifer Aniston's butt
Her secret weapon:
Cameron Shayne, Los Angeles–based creator of the popular Budokon yoga–martial arts program
His top butt move: Dancing Half-Moon Kick
Why it’s great: “This exercise combines yoga to stretch the lower back and open the hips with martial arts to tighten and shape the butt,” Shayne says. “The result is a strong, lean backside.”
How to: Begin in a straddle stance with your knees bent and feet wide, and your toes pointing slightly outward.
4 of 12
Dancing half-moon kick
How to:
Shift your weight onto your right leg while straightening your left leg. Round your arms, as if holding a large ball, and bend sideways from the waist over your bent knee.
5 of 12
Dancing half-moon kick C
How to:
Place both hands on the floor just in front of your right foot, creating a three-point base. Extend your left leg toward the ceiling (go only as high as is comfortable) while straightening your right leg. Lower your leg and return to starting position; that’s 1 rep. Do 12 reps, then switch legs; repeat.
6 of 12
Gwyneth Paltrow's legs
Her secret weapon:
Tracy Anderson, fitness expert and creator of the Tracy Anderson Method
Her top leg move: Crossover Leg Lift
Why it’s great: “This exercise works your entire leg, particularly the hard-to-tone outer-thigh area that’s a problem for a lot of women,” Anderson says.
How to: Sit with weight balanced on right hip; place forearms and hands in front for support. Bend right leg so the bottom of the foot “faces” the wall behind you. Cross your left leg over your right; extend it forward, foot flexed.
7 of 12
Crossover leg lift B
How to:
Raise your left leg straight up toward the ceiling as high as you can without rocking back, then bring it back down. Start with 25 reps (eventually working up to 50), then switch sides and repeat.
8 of 12
Jessica Alba's abs
Her secret weapon:
Ramona Braganza, Los Angeles–based trainer and creator of the 3-2-1 Baby Bulge Be Gone program
Her top abs move: Twisting Plank
Why it’s great: “This is an excellent exercise for both the obliques (your side ab muscles) and the transverse abdominus, the muscle that acts like a girdle and cinches in your waist,” Braganza explains.
How to: Begin in plank position with arms straight, hands directly beneath your shoulders, and fingers spread wide for balance.
9 of 12
Twisting plank B
How to:
Contract your abs and bring your right knee in toward your left elbow; return to plank position. Repeat on the opposite side, bringing your left knee toward your right elbow; that’s 1 rep. Do 5 reps.
10 of 12
Squat thrust from Jessica Alba
Want to tone your legs, glutes, and abs? Watch this Cooking Light video to learn how to do a perfect squat thrust. This workout move combines cardio with squats and push-ups. Make it a fast, repetitive movement with a lot of power, and you'll be in great shape in no time.
11 of 12
Squat thrust B
How to:
Jump your feet back, landing in plank position. Pause, then contract your abs and jump your feet forward into squat position, keeping your weight slightly forward; that’s one rep. Do 10 reps.