Michelle Obama’s Body-Shaping Workout
How to get great guns and gams in 9 minutes or less—just like America’s First Lady! A Women’s Health exclusive.
There’s one piece of information in Washington that’s so coveted you’d think it was deemed classified: how Michelle Obama got those well-toned arms.
But Women’s Health has the scoop—an exclusive interview with the First Lady, and confidential fitness advice from her longtime personal trainer, Cornell McClellan.
Of course, a great body takes effort, even if you’re the woman of the White House. “My whole thing is moderation,” Obama tells us. “I have to exercise and eat in a balanced way. If I start ignoring both, I will put on weight.”
The balanced diet comes courtesy of a lifetime of healthy eating habits, instilled by Michelle’s mom. But the exercise—and those toned, tight triceps? That she owes to McClellan—and her own determination to stay fit. In fact, the exercises, sets and reps he puts Obama through all matter, says McClellan, but a single number trumps them all: 1,872. That’s how many days—give or take a few—Michelle has hit the gym since 1997, the year she started working with McClellan at his Chicago fitness studio, Naturally Fit.
Think about that for a moment: three workouts a week for 12 years, most of which have been performed at 5:30 a.m. Who has that kind of dedication? And what if more of us did? “She’s truly committed herself to the importance of health and fitness,” says McClellan. “That’s the real secret of her success.”
Of course, just going to the gym won’t lead to Obama-like arms. That’s where McClellan comes in. The foundation of his plan is an intense total-body weight routine that’s made up of compound movements—challenging exercises that work multiple muscle groups. This is the real key for toning the muscles of your arms, shoulders, and legs.
But after McClellan puts the First Lady through her total-body routine, he has her finish her weight session with an “arm-shaping superset.” It’s designed to further sculpt the muscles of her biceps and triceps. Finally, for cardio, the workouts feature bodyweight calisthenics—such as “mountain climbers”—done at a heart- and lung-busting pace that skyrockets fitness levels and burn tons of calories.
Ready to get First-Lady fit? Click here to get the moves!
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To some, Ms. O at her age may look good from the waist up. Reality check, she needs a lot of
work out from the waist down -- that is why she wears those **** look like belts on all her pictures. Why do people think she is something special...I don't get it!! Just because she is the side kick to Mr. Obie.. pleeasseeee.
I no, I am not a republican, democrat or independant -- just speaking out my mind. Thank you.
Michele has genetics going against those amazon thighs that takes some serious but kicking workouts with weights to tone them down. It is doable but takes some dedication and time she doesn't have with her responsibilities. When she is out of office and able to invest the time, she can get sleek. Most of us can't spare 1-2 hours a day-everyday. Pus over 40 the battle with the bulges begins.
Doyer, grow up! What are you, the grammar cop? If you have an intelligent remark I'm sure we would all love to hear it, until then maybe you should find something else to do with your time. If this is just a passive aggressive attempt to disagree with someone then perhaps your should worry less about sentence structure and worry more about finding something to say that would be worth the space on this page.
What is wrong with all of you? You are all either selling something or you are ranting about politics. Do none of you realize that this is an article about HEALTH AND FITNESS or is it just that you are not capable of an intelligent discussion about the topics being presented here? If you feel you must rant, find the appropriate place to do it so that people like myself are not subjected to it and your negativity. If you are selling something might I recommend taking out an ad or starting your own website, not poorly disguising your advertising behind a "comment" on a fitness page (also, the comment had NOTHING to do with the article, it was a comment/review of how "great" your book is). If you think you are coming across with an enlightening point of view or comment think again! Most of you are simply pointing out the need for your further education, some sensitivity training, & your complete lack of common sense, among other things.
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MSN Health & Fitness does not provide medical or any other health care advice, diagnosis or treatment.
