Get red carpet fit!
Tuesday 02 March 2010
The glamorous Academy Awards are only a week away which means two things: who wins what and who wears what.
Whilst we (probably) won’t win anything at the Oscars, we all love it when someone tells us we look fab in an outfit.
Therefore, we’ve asked Virgin Active’s fitness expert Gillian Reeves to give us her top tips to get ‘red carpet fit’ so that we can dazzle like our favourite A-Listers in time for all those Oscar parties!
She said: “Whatever dress you choose to wear for that special occasion, there are certainly some exercises that can help you feel that extra bit special and confident.
Before you begin any cardiovascular activity, Gillian advises you to do some resistance-based exercises using dumbbells.
Simply pick your problem area below and tone it using Gillian’s recommendations.
Show off you arms in a sleeveless number:
Press ups are the way forward when it comes to firming up your arms. Make sure your hands are wider than your shoulders and make it easier by resting on your knees. After your first 10 repetitions, do 10 more bringing your body closer to the floor. Add two extra press ups to your second set every week to progress.
Get leggy in a mini-dress:
Gillian suggests Plyometric Lunges to tone your legs. Plyo-whatty I hear you say?
She explains: “Jump one leg forwards and the other one back at the same time ending in the same position as your stepping lunge. Then jump and switch legs. This is tricky to balance at first, so remember to engage your abdominals, keep tall through your torso and keep your shoulders back and down.”
If that sounds difficult, try this simplified version first: “Start by taking a big step forwards and bending both knees. Make sure your knees go in line with your toes and ankles, at the bottom of the lunge, aim to make two right angles at your knees. Push off your from leg and repeat on the other side. Once your have done 10 lunges on each leg just stepping without a jump, you can progress to the plyometric lunge.”
Get a wonder waist in a corseted dress:
To acquire a trim waistline, do a Pilates exercise called ‘Threading the Needle.’ Start in a side plank position, lying on your right side and balancing on your right forearm. Lift your hips off the floor. Reach up with your left arm and breathe out as you bring your arm down. Do this exercise ten times… twice.
Show off a pert bum in a figure-hugging outfit:
Do a shoulder bridge to give your booty a workout. Lie on your back and then “start to roll your spine off the floor until your hips are in line with your shoulders and knees”. Hold this position for 3 seconds then slowly straighten out. Repeat this four times and then do a second set with your legs together throughout.
For a beautiful back for a backless dress:
Do the Cobra – don’t worry it’s not as threatening as it sounds. Lie on your front and then, breathing steadily, lift your head and shoulders off the floor. Rest on your palms and squeeze your shoulder blades together before lowering yourself gently back to the ground.
Phew – once you’ve done these exercises, you can relax guiltfree in front of the telly on 7th March and watch the Oscars.
By Anisa Kadri
For more information and to find your nearest Virgin Active gym go to www.virginactive.co.uk if you’re considering joining a health club!