We all have our moments when, for inspiration, we look to the stars—celebrities, that is. When thinking about your bridal body, you might do the same. To make the dream a little more attainable, we tapped celebrity trainer and MSN Health and Fitness Channel expert
David Kirsch, who has helped sculpt the bodies of A-listers like Heidi Klum, Anne Hathaway and Kerry Washington with his training. Here, David recommends moves to help you get the look for which these celebrity clients are famous.—Elayne Fluker
Heidi Klum's Abs
Exercise: Oblique Crunches, four times weekly
Works: external and internal obliques (they form the sides of your abs)
How to do it: Lie on right side with knees bent, right arm on the floor in front of you, left hand behind head. Crunch, lifting knees straight up and bringing left shoulder toward them; pause, lower and repeat. Do 15; switch sides.
Where to focus: Focus energy on engaging lower abs, not hip flexors. (You should feel it from your belly button downward.)
Anne Hathaway's Back
Exercise: Shadow Boxing With Dumbbells, four times weekly
Works: back and shoulders
How to do it: Using a dumbbell in each hand, punch left fist out diagonally, ending at torso level in front of right ribs, completing a crossover punch. Pull back as you bend knees, as if you are ducking an incoming punch. Repeat on the other side as you extend legs, driving up from your heels and into your butt. Repeat 20 to 30 on each side.
Where to focus: Focus energy on keeping abs tight the entire time.
Michelle Obama's Arms
Exercise: Push-Ups, 15 to 25 every day
Works: triceps and chest
How to do it: Place palms on floor. Bend elbows out to the side as you lower your chest toward the floor. Then press back up. If full push-ups are too hard right now, do partial push-ups (knees on floor). If you can't do partial push-ups, start with the "plank." (In this position, you'll simulate the "up" part of a push-up for 30 seconds.)
Where to focus: Focus energy on keeping abs tight and back flat the entire time
Liv Tyler's Legs
Exercise: Plié Toe Squats, four times weekly
Works: calves, thighs and glutes
How to do it: Stand with feet more than hip-width apart, toes turned slightly out, hands on hips. Squat, lifting heels off the floor as you do so. Hold for five seconds. Return to standing, keeping heels lifted, then lower them back to the floor. Do 15.
Where to focus: Focus energy on inner thighs and glutes.
Kerry Washington's ButtExercise: Crossover Lunges, four times weekly
Works: glutes, hips and hamstrings
How to do it: Start upright, feet shoulder-width distance apart, hands on hips. Start with right leg, step forward and cross over left leg, while bending at the knee. Return to start position. Repeat on the left. Do 15 on each side.
Where to focus: Focus energy on putting your brain in your butt.
To get the right moves for your butt type, check out
David Kirsch's Butt Book, available at
davidkirschwellness.com.
Karolina Kurkova's Fully Toned BodyExercise: 30–45 minutes of cardio every day
Works: trims and tones all major muscles
How to do it: Choose a form of cardio that helps you get your heart rate up—really up. I recommend running, rowing, swimming, cycling or elliptical trainer. Keep at it without stopping for 30 to 45 minutes.
Where to focus: Focus energy on pushing the envelope. You should feel out of breath and your heart rate should be up.
Get David Kirsch’s red-carpet workout DVDBanish bridal back flab with these tips
See how these power moves will help you fit fabulously into your dress
