Women's Health Magazine is holding a Next Fitness Star competition with female personal trainers from around the US. The July issue of Women's Health Magazine has a quick bio along with a favorite workout for each contestant. So far, all of the ladies seem equally matched in skill and likeability, with a few having much more interesting back stories and all having different ideas of fitness.
I am quite excited to try out each contestant's favorite workout move, but have already been forced to dwindle my options. Since we are in Michigan for the time being, I do not have any weights here with me. This takes Stacie out of the running for me since she uses a weight. Too bad since she seems to be the most built of the five. But, not having weights is a pretty good representation of the average home-gymer, so her being out first in my book could be a pretty good representation of America as a whole... We will see...
For that reason, we are not even going to talk about her. Next time, contestants, don't use weights.
Tarrah
Tarrah's favorite move could easily be mine as well. It will work the glutes, legs, and core since it is a combination of a squat and a lunge. Yes, the two most hated leg moves have been combined (insert evil laugh). Tarrah started her fitness life after her father passed away. She realized that her health needed a turn around and is now 92 pounds lighter.
I love these stories. The fact that she has been able to loose and keep 92 pounds off makes her an inspiration already. She can be my trainer any day of the week.
MC
MC looks like a giant ball of energy who could also kill me. She is super fit and, most likely, has abs of steel. Her favorite workout is Modified V-Ups that will have you unable to laugh for a week and give your inner thighs reason to cry. Get ready. Although MC is the second-oldest of the five, you would never guess it. She started her career as a fitness model and could definitely be one today.
If you are the type that needs tough love (cough, cough, me) then this could be your girl. Just to give an idea, her best tip is to "toughen up". Yea, flash-forward five years and she is the new host of The Biggest Looser.
Jam
First off, do you think Jam is her real name? I am not sure. "Jam" was raised in a family of pro athletes, so her career choice is no great surprise. She seems like one of the nicest trainers and her favorite workout move could be the most fun. I am honestly not sure how much you will get from it in the results departments, but at least you will have some fun while you work! This High Kick Punch will definitely get your heart rate going if nothing else.
Kit
Kit owns a Pilates studio in LA and is one of the youngest contestants, being four years older than Jam. So far, she seems to be the most peaceful out of the five. Her workout move uses a band and will do a massive number to your oblique abdominals. Mix this Plie Squat with Side Bend with MC's Modified V-Ups and you are sure to be a pile of sweat on the floor.
Kit may not be my favorite on an introductory surface level, but her workout move and her workout ideals may match up with mine the most. She is all about working out for more than the scale and warns against pushing one's body too far for the sake of results. Yep, I like her.
Ok, fine, let's talk about Stacie...
Stacie
She seems super cool and ridiculously built. She also looks quite happy and a bit like a Kardashian on steroids- only in the best way. Promise. If Stacie had not used weights, she may have been my favorite. But she did, so she is not...
I tried doing her workout with a resistance band instead of the weight. Although the resistance band worked, a weight would have been so much better. This Sumo Squat with Rotation works the legs, arms, back, and core. It is a full range of motion move that will work your entire body.
Oh, I should probably also mention that she is 40. Yes, 40. This is crazy, this girl could pull off 30 without a second thought. Stacie looks crazy strong and super lean. If you want to be She-Ra, this trainer is your girl.
Drum Roll Please,
I did each move ten to fifteen times, depending on the trainer's direction. Each move was done directly after the other without a break between. This was sweat inducing! If you really want to get a workout, try doing all these workouts without a break between, then resting for one minute and doing it all again 2-3 times. Phew!
Although they were all great workouts, I did have two favorites. Kit and Stacie's moves worked my entire body with a bit of extra focus on the legs. The Plie Squat with Side Bend and the Sumo Squat with Rotation are the two that I could easily see incorporating into my weekly workout routine. My vote is that Kit and Stacie will continue on!
Try these moves and let me know which trainer you would bet on as the Next Fitness Star!