Although CrossFit was created almost two decades ago, it has been gaining popularity in the past few years as the antidote to boring gym workouts. What do fans say is so great about CrossFit? For starters, the program is a time-saver; it's not about how long you exercise, but the intensity of it. The workout incorporates weight lifting, kettlebell workouts, plyometrics, cardio, and more into bursts of high-intensity exercise. CrossFit also uses Tabata training as well as increasing intensity techniques (like lifting heavier weights for a lower number of reps) to help up strength and stamina. You get results fast, according to CrossFit's fans, who include more than a few buff celebrity devotees — yes, even Madonna has tried it. Check out a few more female celebrities who've shaped up with CrossFit!
Between traveling and toning, our favorite celebrity trainers are always up to something; this week was no different! From weekend detoxes to positive affirmations, they gave us plenty of Instagram inspiration. Take a look at our favorite social snaps of the week, and don't forget to follow POPSUGAR Fitness on Instagram too!
Gwyneth Paltrow was not afraid to show some skin when she walked the red carpet for the premiere of Iron Man 3. The sheer dress gave viewers a peek at the star's backside, which Gwyneth credits to trainer Tracy Anderson. Tracy helped transform Gwyneth's self-described saggy and square-shaped butt into a lifted, rounded, and shapely backside. We learned three of Gwyneth's favorite butt-toning moves directly from her trainer — just in time to help you rock your skinny jeans. Add these exercises to your workout to feel the burn and see the lift!
Having started her career as a ballerina, Zoe Saldana takes her workouts seriously. And the actress swears by The Moyer Method, created by trainer Steve Moyer. Her sculpted shoulders continue to wow us, so we asked Steve to share her upper-body workout with us. Watch the video to learn the four exercises, and then give them a try.
Last night in NYC, we hosted a live Class FitSugar event with celebrity trainer Anna Kaiser of AKT InMotion. Over 150 of our readers joined us in a lovely loft space in Manhattan for an intense workout and refreshing cocktails — made with antioxidant-rich ingredients, of course! We hope to host more of these live Class FitSugar events, so stay tuned!
We streamed the high-octane dance cardio workout live, so you all could join in at home. If you missed it, here's the 35-minute live workout for you to try. Get a taste of how Anna trains her celeb clients Kelly Ripa and Sarah Jessica Parker — it's full-on dance and beyond fun. The workout begins with an active warmup of plank jacks on the floor. Press play and get ready to sweat.
We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on POPSUGAR Fitness!
Scarlett Johansson rocks that magic combo of curves, confidence and fitness that somehow inspires a we-can't-help-it obsession in us all. I mean, girl is gorgeous. As femme fatale Black Widow in The Avengers — which won several MTV Movie Awards this past weekend — she looks so damn comfortable in that skintight body suit, she got us jonesing to get a bodacious superhero body, too.
To the rescue: L.A.-based trainers Bobby and Alicia Strom, who worked with Johansson while she was prepping for the role. "She really puts 100% into getting ready for whatever role she needs to play," says Bobby. "When she was going to be in The Avengers, she wanted to be more athletic and toned."
So, what's the first thing you learn in Action Star 101? You need to get a core hovering in that "rock solid" zone. "She was being shot around in a harness, doing kicks and jumps," says Bobby. "She [needed] to be strong enough not to get hurt doing stunts."
The trainer had Johansson strengthening her core with a tough super move that combines the Inchworm with knee tucks. Check out this totally homemade but insanely awesome how-to video featuring Alicia Strom (who's sporting super-chic Victoria's Secret VSX Sport Line, btw). Once we nail this move like Scarlett did — watch out world, catsuit here we come!
I'll admit, when it comes to working out, there are many days when I like to procrastinate. I'll promise myself that I'll go to an afterwork class instead of going at lunch or I'll clean my apartment before going out for a run on the weekend — anything to drag out the inevitable. But once I finally lace up my sneakers and get through the workout, I always feel great; after all, it's like they say: no ever regretted a workout.
So when Gwyneth Paltrow recently admitted at the opening of Tracy Anderson's new studio that she doesn't exactly love to work out, her words rang true. The actress, famous for her strict almost-daily exercise routine, recently told POPSUGAR her workout motivation secret: "I just sob and kick and scream and then just force myself to do it." Spoken like someone who knows just how beneficial a regular workout routine can be.
What about you? Can you relate to Gwyneth's "kicking and sobbing" while procrastinating before a workout or do you love your exercise routine so much that you can't wait to start?
