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Get the Bod: Tips from Madonna's Trainer

Wed, 03/26/2008 - 4:00am by FitSugar
35,769 Views - 41 comments

Madonna is one fit woman. From injecting vitamins to building a gym 20 yards from her home, she's got her eye on health. To be Madonna's personal trainer must not be an easy task since I am guessing it takes a lot to keep ahead of Madge in the gym. Her current trainer, Tracy Anderson (who also trains Madonna's pal Gwyneth Paltrow), has recently disclosed to the Daily Mail some of the tricks she has up her sleeve for keeping A-listers fit.

For highlights on what Tracy suggests her clients do in the gym then read more.

How to start: First make sure you have 30 minutes of your favorite songs on your iPod. Then find yourself a treadmill. Sprint for one song, skip for one song, and gallop for one song. Work up to a 30-minute work-out. Then move on to toning (below). Start with 10 repetitions and work up to 100 - these should be done every day. If in any doubt about your health, always check with a doctor.

Toning Exercises:
Arm Raise: Using 3lb weights, stand with feet shoulder-width apart. Slowly move arms together straight up into a V above your head. Elbows and wrists are bent slightly. Then gently lower your arms back down to your sides and without pausing go straight back up again. Work up to 100 reps.

Single arm overhead pulse: Using 3lb weights, stand with feet shoulder-width apart, arms at your sides. Raise one arm above your head with your elbow slightly bent and then straighten your arm completely over your head. Pulse like that, up and down. Work up to 100 reps on one side and then the other.

Ballet Grand Plies: Stand with heels together, toes slightly apart. With a straight back, bend at the knee as low as you can, then go back up again. Work up to 100 reps.

Abdominal Crunches: Lie on the floor with arms at your side, your legs in front of you. Raise yourself slightly until you feel a "crunch" in your abs and then lie back down. The key here is to do it with your legs straight out in front of you, as that will really work your stomach without bulking it up. Work up to 100 reps.

Piking: Lie flat on the floor, arms at your sides. Lift straight legs up to ceiling to 90 degrees and then gently lower. Without pausing, lift them back up again. Your upper body should remain flat on the ground. Both arms and legs should be straight with your toes pointed. Work up to 100 reps.

Advanced Piking: Lie on the floor, legs straight out in front of you with your arms on the floor stretched out over your head. Hold onto a 3lb weight and bring your hands up to meet your legs when you raise them to a 90-degree angle and lower your arms and legs back down to the floor at the same time. Both arms and legs should be straight with your toes pointed. Work up to 100 reps.

Source

View Photos: madonna
on Yahoo!

41 Comments Add a Comment

  • lattegoodness's picture
    lattegoodness
    1

    100 reps! That seems like it'd take forever! I wish there was included which muscle groups all these worked on...

    I am having a hard time visualizing the single arm overhead pulse... I need pictures! Puzzled

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • silly3's picture
    silly3
    2

    I'm having trouble visualizing both arm exercises too! I can certainly see how these keep Madonna looking so lean though. Thanks Fit!

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • hadassah's picture
    hadassah
    3

    I don't know why I continue to get excited about tips from celebrity trainers that magazines, etc always publish. It's always the same thing, like "For great abs, do a lot of crunches." You think?!?! I'm pretty sure the 18-34 female population has figured that one out by now.

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • sundaygreen's picture
    sundaygreen
    5

    Why does this seem to go against everything you read elsewhere? I mean honestly, there are so many conflicting opinions out there, how do we know which is right or wrong? I have read in TONS of articles that less reps with a heavier weight is better than more reps with a teeny tiny weight, and that you won't actually BULK UP by exercising that way. How are we supposed to know who is right?!

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • ilanac13's picture
    ilanac13
    6

    i think that i'll have to find a treadmill to try that out during off peak hours at the gym. i'd be a little embarrassed to try that while there were so many other people there. i like the flow of the workout though. it seems like it would be a good toning/endurance type workout.

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • latent's picture
    latent
    7

    If Madonna's arms are examples of not 'bulking up'...I don't know what to say.

    I agree with sundaygreen, the information put forth by these trainers is always so contradictory.

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • AIMEESUGAR's picture
    AIMEESUGAR
    8

    every day? i'm not sure about that. i think the toning exercises are interesting and i will surely give them a shot (at least its making my muscles do something different) but 100 reps everyday seems like it might not be good for my body.

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • sundaygreen's picture
    sundaygreen
    9

    She also says on her blog, "you should never run! Running bulks the legs."

    sheesh....

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • latent's picture
    latent
    10

    Gah. And the word 'tone' or any variation thereof just aggravates me.

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • sundaygreen's picture
    sundaygreen
    11

    LOL, where are those pics of Madonna RUNNING with her OTHER trainer now?!

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • syako's picture
    syako
    12

    sunday - I'd trust information about exercise in peer-reviewed scientific journals over what some trainer says. As far as bulk/tone etc I hate those words too! If you want to be strong you will have MUSCLES that will SHOW! scared shocking! It's nothing to be afraid of - in fact I think it's the sexiest thing!

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • kiwitwist's picture
    kiwitwist
    13

    I can honestly say I don't want to look anything like Madonna, no thank you!

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • ElissaM's picture
    ElissaM
    14

    You should never be embarrassed to do anything that has to do with working out. I think everyone watching is jealous not making fun of you.

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • sundaygreen's picture
    sundaygreen
    15

    I think people who watch are more intrigued that anything. I honestly don't think that people who see you exercising outside or in a gym (no matter what you're doing) are going to think you're 'lame'. 99% of them are probably thinking, mmm, i should do that too.

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • Spincyle10's picture
    Spincyle10
    16

    I agree, ElissaM. I figure it this way, I may look stupid doing a particular move, but i would look a lot less appealing as a sloppy overweight, unfit gal. So, if you want to laugh, go ahead. I'll be smiling at myself in the mirror and laughing at the scale. Besides, half the time when you see someone doing a move at the gym that looks odd, you can't help but wonder if they know something about fitness that you don't - and then you want to try it for yourself. That's how I ended up integrating running backwards and side-to-side into my treadmill routine. It may look crazy, but I have great legs!

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • Hoaxerz's picture
    Hoaxerz
    18

    3lbs?! Pfft. Who wants to spend their time doing 100 reps of each exercise, when you can just pick a heavy weight and do 6-8 reps for quicker results.

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • Renees3's picture
    Renees3
    19

    BLECH who wants to look like Madonna anyway? And seriously? SKIPPING on the treadmill? I would kill myself, I'm sure of it. While everyone seems to have differing opinions on what is best, my advice is to try different things and do what feels and works best. I choose a bit heavier weight, but obviously what Madonna is doing is working for her. Everyone is different though!

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • ElectroPopTart's picture
    ElectroPopTart
    20

    I want to look like Madonna. Well, I want her arms! I think her arms would look hot on my 6'1 male body. =) I'm having a hard time visualizing the arm exercises. You KNOW Madonna does like a million OTHER things on top of this. She's at the gym for three hours a day. She always comes out without a drop of sweat on her, so I wonder how much cooling down she does???

    Madonna's workout will always be a bigger mystery to me than life on other planets! I just want to be a freaking fly on the wall during her workouts. For realz.

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • gabiushka's picture
    gabiushka
    22

    What do they mean by skip and gallop on the treadmill?? Sorry, english is not my first language.

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • Novaraen's picture
    Novaraen
    23

    While i usually love trainers tips....i do NOT want to look like Madonna. Her arms and legs are too muscly with no female curves left. Its not attractive. I plan to tone up and keep my curves! Eye-wink

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • cvandoorn's picture
    cvandoorn
    24

    Seriously...skipping and galloping on the treadmill?? People will think you're insane!

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • Spectra's picture
    Spectra
    25

    Yeah, skipping on the treadmill would NOT be a good thing for me. I have zero coordination anyways...I would fall on my behind right off the bat. Plus, I disagree with doing 100 reps with 3 lb weights. Isn't that sort of a waste of time? I get decent results doing 2-3 sets of 8-10 reps and using 10-15 lb weights.

    26 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • GlowingMoon's picture
    GlowingMoon
    26

    I find her gym workout questionable. Treadmill everyday? 3lbs weights for 100 reps? That's laughable.

    Is she a CERTIFIED fitness trainer??

    I'm afraid to ask what she advises her client to eat. Shocked

    To me, she looks thin and scrawny, not womanly.

    Personally, I love weight-training major muscle groups. They truly sculpt a woman's body - shapely calves, thighs, and butt, tight core for a cinched waist, tight pectorals for lifted breasts, etc. Need I say more?? What this trainer says is truly lost on me. Puzzled

    26 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • pequeña's picture
    pequeña
    27

    I completely agree GlowingMoon. It looks like she's not a certified fitness trainer. Madonna's body? No, thank you. I like mine way better.

    26 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • BattleAngelAlita's picture
    BattleAngelAlita
    28

    Ya know, after reading these carefuly it became clear on how they want you to perform each movement to get the best results. I can't wait to take this home and try it out for myself!

    26 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • levi1's picture
    levi1
    29

    She sounds like a fruit cake to me. . . always a gimmick (nothing over 3 lbs, give me a break!). . . nothing really new here though. . work out and watch what you eat. I mean whatever it takes. . . and BTW what's "galloping" Cardio, toning, and good food. If celebrities have enough money to buy inspiration. . . or to buy someones attention to make them do it then good for them. I do weights, cardio, and try to eat right, and I don't need a cheerleader or someone to walk 10 steps behind me to get me to do it!

    26 weeks 4 days ago Report Comment
  • levi1's picture
    levi1
    30

    BTW English is my 1st language and I don't get the galloping either. But I do hop on one foot (not at the gym) because I read hopping is really good to engage muscle fibers. It's HARD! I do it on the dirt trail that I run on when no cars or people are around because I would feel silly. Only my faithful running companion, my dog, sees me hopping. . . and I'm not sure he knows what to think of it!

    26 weeks 4 days ago Report Comment
  • kgseymour's picture
    kgseymour
    31

    I would really like to see Madge galloping and skipping on the treadmill. I love doing that around my neighborhood, even though it embarrasses the heck out of my hubby!

    And a gallop is like what you do when you're pretending to be a horse -- one foot in front of the other, and bring your back foot to meet the front at the same time you're sending your front foot out again, same pace as skipping (which is a hop on one foot as you raise the opposite knee, then do the same on the other foot). I know that's not a great description, but that's the best I can do without a demonstration.

    26 weeks 3 days ago Report Comment
  • mem952's picture
    mem952
    32

    i was intruiged by this instructor... so i looked at her website - lots of photos of her in skimpy outfits. then i googled her - and found some angry former customers! interesting...

    personally, i do a side crab-walk on the treadmill after my jog - so you could say that i'm not afraid to look stupid!

    24 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • seraphimm's picture
    seraphimm
    33

    LOL Levi!!!!!!!!!!
    I work out at night, to do the same thing.
    I feel silly when I have to do lunges and squats at the park when people are around........ Sticking out tongue

    22 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • wiccah's picture
    wiccah
    35

    PEOPLE THATS MADONNA THE IRON WOMAN!!!
    God I just love her strength and her will to commit. Anyways why doesn't this trainer have a video out yet? Oh did you know she (the trainer) is being sued in the States for deserting her customers, thats what I read somewhere. You'll have to check online to be really sure.
    Anyway I think a video would be marvelous!

    13 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • brees's picture
    brees
    36

    The main difference between doing lots of reps with a lighter weight and fewer reps with more weight is that the former builds mass whereas the latter tones muscle. If you want to build bigger arms, then you should do fewer reps with more weight, but if you just want more muscle to show without getting bigger arms then you should do more reps with a small amount of weight.

    12 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • breakingheartsx3's picture
    breakingheartsx3
    37

    yeah whats wrong with girls having muscle instead of being tooth pick thin weak models ? i hate how everyone complains about bulking up. people need to understand in order to "bulk up" like a body builder you have to lift a lot more weight than 3 friggin lbs.

    11 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • julsboston's picture
    julsboston
    38

    This isn't a routine for everyone. in fact, it won't suffice for most people under the age of 50 who are fairly active.

    Madonna is genetically a fairly muscular woman, so she uses very light weights and high reps to tone without bulking.

    Thing is, Madonna has her own gym, a dedicated trainer and all the time in the world to work out. Most people don't have 2-3 hours a day to spend at the gym, so....... thanks Madonna!

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • nv27's picture
    nv27
    39

    I want my own personal trainer. I dont think this stuff would work for me, too time consuming. But, Madonna looks great!

    4 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • Tonya Daye's picture
    Tonya Daye
    40

    My theory lately is to watch work out videos, read articles, etc.... yet I never get around to actually DOING any of them, lol. These seem easy enough. My grandmother bought me free weights (per my request) for Christmas one year... but they are currently beign used to weight the bottom of my kitty tower. I'm the queen of the cop-out exercise program. I've been thinking about buying those Walk-Fit flip flops that exercise your legs.

    Madonna is inspiring, though. She's the same age as my mother and she looks a hell of a lot better in a bikini than I do! I'm 27 and she kicks my butt!

    2 weeks 8 hours ago Report Comment
  • momster's picture
    momster
    41

    not one us REAL women will probably look like Madonna no matter what we do in the gym! She has been dedicated to her body since the late '70's!!! That's 40 years of focus.
    Eat well, live well, and stay as fit and as happy and balanced as you are willing.

    1 week 6 days ago Report Comment

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