Everyone's looking to slim down in the summer — for the beach, for the bikini, and for the cute new bartender down the block. And while we might be experts at say, wardrobe essentials, we don't claim to have our fitness game on lock. So, we turned to some of NYC's toned tastemakers to find out how they get their compliment-worthy bods.
From their favorite local juice bars to the ab workouts that promise to get you that washboard stomach in no time, these go-to tips from real-life New Yorkers are actually effective. Click through to feel the burn…from your desk chair. Just scanning the article counts as a workout.
Robyn Lawley, model
"Even as a plus-size model with Wilhelmina, I still watch what I eat, especially during the summer. My trick is to eat smaller portions rather than cutting out the foods I love so much (because as soon as you take the cake away from the kid, he/she will want it twice as much). Portion size is the biggest problem right now — many people don't know what a healthy portion of pasta, meat, or anything else is meant to be. I find that you can enjoy the foods you love, but just don't overdo it. Simply put: moderation is key. To supplement this, I work out with a trainer three times a week and include both cardio and strength training as part of my regimen."
Alejandro Ingelmo, designer
"My favorite juice bar is JuiceGeneration, the best flavor is the coconut acai. My current fitness obsession is CrossFit — I go four days a week, and the other days I spin at SoulCycle. My trainer at CrossFit, Ryan, has me do a cycle of five pull-ups, 10 pushups, and 15 squats, for as many rounds as I can do in 20 minutes. I just did my first CrossFit Challenge, called the Civilian Military Combine. You do burpees, box jumps, and kettle bells, and then run a six-mile course with obstacles throughout. It was amazing."
Lauren Bruker, SoulCycle Instructor
"My favorite workout is push-ups! I try to do at least 40 a day when I feel like my body needs a quick fix. You can do 10 in the morning, 10 at the office, 10 before a date...it's a nice way to break up the day! My go-to food is eggs. I love this amazing food. They're packed with protein, affordable, and delicious — you can eat them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!"
Jackie Warner, fitness expert
"My favorite diet foods are oatmeal, grapefruit, eggs, and, of course, water! For protein powder, I recommend my own — it is all natural, no sugar, no artificial flavors, and has antioxidants. My favorite ab workout is the plank: elbow to touch plank, drop plank, then straight leg drop. For cardio, I do 20 minutes on the treadmill — walk uphill at level 12 for two minutes (speed 3.5), run for two minutes (speed 6.5/7), then a one minute cooldown (speed 3.5). Repeat four times."
Chris McNally, stylist, RRL
"My secret weapon for an insane workout is a great warm-up. Forget the boring 10-minute job and grab a medicine ball and do balance work instead. Doing so before you start your normal workout routine is key, because it works on your core. Focusing on aligning the spine and keeping the abs tight will help you keep good form throughout your entire workout. After a killer workout my favorite spot to grab a protein shake or smoothie is Internal Yoga Natural Foods on 13th Street, they have the best juice bar in the city.
As far as snacks go, grab a handful of almonds and a bottle of water when you're hungry. Having about 12 to 15 almonds will give the boost you need to make it through the day. But the most important part of this snack is the water — it will expand your stomach and make you feel full longer. I also try to incorporate what I've learned from playing sports as a kid into my workouts and on the weekends. If I'm headed to the beach I'm always packing a football or a frisbee — a quick game of catch will keep those calories off. Working out should be fun so that you don't get discouraged. Results take time, so have fun and remember, it's progress, not perfection."
Rebecca Goodman, Equinox
"I am a total group-fitness junkie, and my latest obsession is Jaime Morales' Core Shaper and Total Body Shaper classes at Equinox Greenwich Avenue. Jaime's energy is totally infectious, and his classes are the perfect way to kickstart the day. Those core moves are key to being bikini-body ready. I have recently become addicted to kale in any form: kale chips, kale juice, kale salad. Juice Generation (at select Equinox locations) has possibly the best kale salad in the city, and their "Hail to Kale" juice (kale, watermelon, apple, lemon) is so delicious and refreshing on a hot summer day."
Misha Nonoo, designer
"My favorite juice bar is Melvin's Juice Box (the juice bar offshoot of Miss Lily's), as it's so close to my office, and does a delicious green juice called 'Body Good.' I also love Pilates Proworks on 14th Street for their brilliant TRX Pro Suspension training classes, which are unique and challenging. I did them for a month in the run up to my wedding and saw great results!"
Jeanann Williams, PR consultant
"I go religiously to classes at Body by Simone. Simone broke away from Tracey Anderson and started her own gym just a few short blocks from my house. Her cardio dance classes will transform your body and it's fun. The BBS Method creates long lean muscles and builds core strength. A lot of Aussie trainers and amazing energy from everyone at her studio. Sign up for semi-privates with a friend, it's great to share it with someone and keep each other committed. My sister-in-law and I train together. Exercise for endorphins, it makes you happy.
I live for Organic Avenue. A couple days drinking their juices and you will feel like a new person, completely reenergized and fresh. It's a quick fix before any special occasion, a few days on the juice gets you feeling svelte and fresh-faced. Even adding one of their green juices from time to time to your regular diet will get your energy levels up.
I also take a great combo of vitamins that a health fanatic friend tipped me off on: Soluble Iron, Soluble Magnesium, a Pro-Biotic, and Coconut Oil pills. I get all at Whole Foods. But overall, good health for me lies in keeping it simple — fresh, organic foods, and lots of water."
Sarah Howard, beauty blogger
"Pilates is my go-to, it's all about your core. Anything that increases my heart rate, i.e. real exercise, is not for me. I'm more of a strengthening and lengthening type of girl. Someone once told me that you can grow up to an inch from Pilates, and since I would be most pleased with an extra inch in the vertical direction, I was instantly hooked. In between classes, there's a great core exercise that anyone can do at home. It helps with posture and that coveted eight pack. Lay on a foam roller, knees bent, feet on the ground, arms straight out behind you. Slowly lift your leg toward your stomach to meet your right arm. Return both to their starting position and do the same on the other side. Reps of 10 on each side should do the trick."
Samantha Yanks, editor in chief of Gotham and Hamptons
"In Manhattan I love Chaise 23 — all the workouts are done in a chair! It sounds lazy, but you really feel it after the Reinvention class. Remorca has training down to a science. They are the only gym on the East Coast to use the same professional Polar technology as pro sports teams. But that doesn’t mean you’re just a number. Remorca’s trainers are big on connecting with their clients and forming a workout “community” in their gym.
In the Hamptons I love Provisions — I leave Flywheel Sports in Sag Harbor and go to their café for a quick smoothie and to pick up veggies for lunch by the pool. All of Provisions’ fruits and vegetables are organic, and they support our local East End farms."
