Get a Hot Body

Hot Workout Tips

Sure, their workouts are effective. But these trainers have developed a loyal celebrity following because they're good at motivating their clients. Here, some of their top workout advice.

"Shorten the time you rest between exercises by alternating upper- and lower-body moves. You'll burn more calories while still giving your muscles time to recover."
-- Joe Dowdell

"If you have time to eat, drink, or watch TV, you have time to fit in a workout. Even a few minutes a day can make a difference and motivate you to do more."
-- Teddy Bass

"Think of the area you are working and 'breathe' into the muscle, pausing a beat at peak contraction. You'll reduce momentum and get more out of the exercise."
-- Christel Smith

"Music is my all-time favorite motivator. The right songs can make you want to work harder and go longer. Try to put together a playlist that will boost your mood, but don't pick songs that all have a fast beat or those that don't have any lyrics at all -- after a while, even that can become monotonous."
-- Jeanette Jenkins

"Competition can be a great motivator. Sign up for a 5K or 10K race or even a triathlon or long bike ride, then get yourself on a training plan. You'll feel a great sense of accomplishment by training for and then completing your goals."
-- Rich and Helene Guzman

"Visualization can be an incredibly powerful tool. Before you begin to exercise, take a couple of minutes to sit quietly, eyes closed, and imagine what you will be doing in your workout. Athletes often do this kind of 'blind rehearsal' before a game or competition to motivate themselves to perform at their best."
-- Ashley Borden

"If you're dragging midway through your workout, it's probably because you didn't adequately prepare your body. Make sure that you're not only getting enough sleep but that you're also adequately hydrated, and that you're eating right both before and after your routine. All of those things come together to help you perform your best."
-- Gunnar Peterson

"Your body isn't going to change overnight. If you expect too much, too soon, you'll likely get discouraged and quit altogether. Progress from easiest to hardest, gradually changing the amount of weight you lift, reps you do, or distance you go so your body can adapt to the demands and become stronger without risking injury."
-- Mike Alexander

"Try to eat at least two servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables a day, following the colors of the rainbow. Choose from tomatoes (red), tangerines (orange), peppers (green, red, or yellow), carrots (orange), blueberries (blue), eggplants (purple), and zucchini (yellow or green). These foods are rich in vitamins and antioxidants to keep you healthy."
-- Larry Krug, nutritionist and trainer

For more details, workout tips, fitness and nutrition advice and innovative exercises, check out The A-List Workout by Alyssa Shaffer (McGraw-Hill, 2007).

Originally published in FITNESS magazine, February 2007.