With the Golden Globes, the SAG Awards, and now the upcoming Academy Awards on the horizon, it’s safe to say that February is red carpet season. Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence may have a personal trainer to help her prep for the red carpet, but for the rest of us, Style.com/Arabia’s Fitness Guru Dannielle Blaker has found out first hand what workouts will help you look your best for any red carpet special occasion or a simple sashay down the beach boardwalk.
Photo: Instagram/@kirsteenthain
I recently met with the incredibly fit Kirsteen Thain, a personal fitness coach, Nike NTC trainer, and certified CrossFit L1 trainer, who is based at CrossFit Gold Box Gym in Dubai. She walked me through 5 basic exercises that make for great red carpet-ready workouts, that anyone can do from home or at the gym.
Thain explained that cardio strength-building exercises are best to tone muscles and that when you’re in the spotlight, eliminating as much “jiggle” as possible is key to looking svelte. Achieving toned arms is also important, as gowns are often sleeveless. Working glutes helps add shape to figure-hugging dresses, while abdominal training helps slim the waistline.
To look your best, Thain recommends working through these 5 exercise routines at least 3 times a week for 3-4 weeks, while simultaneously eating a healthy, balanced diet.
Split Squats
These tone glutes, quads, and hamstrings.
Recommended: 3 sets of 10 (each leg)—or until your bottom is on fire. If you don’t have weights at home, hold 1.5-liter water bottles.
Modified V-Ups
A great lower abs workout.
Recommended: 4 sets of 15
Modified V-Ups (easier version)
Tuck Crunches
The best exercise to work upper abs.
Recommended: 4 sets of 20
Thrusters
Give your entire body a great cardio workout.
Recommended: 10 sets in 10 minutes. 1 set at the start of every minute. If you don’t have weights at home, hold 1.5-liter water bottles.
Triceps Pushups
Get rid of the flabby arms.
Recommended: 3 sets of 10
Triceps Pushups (easier Version)
