Wellness Wednesday: Workout advice from celebrity trainer Anna Kaiser

Welcome to Wellness Wednesday! This article is part of a series of weekly wellness stories written to help inspire healthy and happy living in our wonderful readers. Be sure to check back every Wednesday for the latest in fitness, nutrition, natural beauty and lifestyle tips to help you be your best self!

BY MOLLY WINDING

Celebrity trainer Anna Kaiser works with Sarah Jessica Parker, Sofia Vergara, Kelly Ripa, Shakira and Naomi Watts, to name just a few of her star-studded clients. She's the founder of AKT in Motion, one of the fastest-growing workout methods in New York City, and one that incorporates "a full spectrum of fitness elements," from yoga and dance to strength training and plyometrics. Kaiser's number one goal? Never get bored.

The fitness guru's workout philosophy is to motivate by example. "I always do 150 percent of the workout with my client," she said when we spoke with her. "I motivate physically as well as mentally with my energy. I motivate by example and I lead by example. I would never ask someone to do something I wouldn't do myself."

Part of the importance Kaiser places on actually doing the workouts with her clients is due to the fact that the workouts change every two weeks. Some weeks she'll have clients doing yoga and kickboxing, others she'll have them working on barre and hip hop.

"The way the programs are created is to always challenge you differently," Kaiser said. "You can tell if your client is getting stronger by giving them different types of exercises."

While keeping workout routines fresh and challenging is beneficial from a physical perspective, learning to tackle so many different exercises and growing stronger can be a huge mental asset, as well.

"I believe in a comprehensive workout that improves your life outside of the gym," Kaiser said. "Fitness should really grow and evolve with you as you evolve in your life. It should keep inspiring you and motivating you to come back."

The AKT program is all about creating long lean proportions, working everything together to support your body and your spine. Each workout incorporates cardio, strength and flexibility, all three of which Kaiser says are necessary to meet any kind of fitness goals.

So what advice does the celebrity trainer have for those of us looking to step up our health and fitness in 2016?

"Make working out a habit," she said. "Find a time during the week that almost always works for you. Even if it's just for 20 minutes, commit to it for 3 days a week and have a day off in between so you're not killing yourself. Start slowly and then once it becomes a habit, maybe you start doing a little bit more."

The key, Kaiser says, is to go slow. "Don't over-commit to a brand new routine or it's not going to last very long," she said. (The AKT in Motion streaming membership offers workouts that last anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour and a half, and you can do them from home!)

Check out Kelly Ripa's incredible bikini body (thanks to Anna Kaiser) in the Instagram video below!


And what about diet and nutrition?

"Diet isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. It's not about eat this, not that, it's about figuring out what the stresses are in your life that are encouraging you to eat the way you're eating," Kaiser said. "If you're making a choice to eat a sandwich for lunch instead of a salad, why is that? You want to get to the bottom of why you're making those decisions."

"Pick one thing you want to change," she advised. "Whether it's not having that third drink at brunch or giving up sugar -- just one thing, but it has to be really specific."

While we all want to revamp our healthy lifestyles now that it's the new year, Kaiser emphasizes how important it is that we don't totally reinvent the way we eat or work out. "If you love bread, don't give it up," Kaiser said. "Just treat yourself to it every once in awhile."

Not sure about you, but we're pretty excited about that idea. What's so great about Kaiser's overall health and fitness philosophy is that she doesn't believe in depriving yourself. Instead, she believes that nutrition and exercise should enhance your life and add richness to it. Her personality shines through all that she does and recommends, and we can't wait to start incorporating her ideas into our new healthy lifestyle.

See photos of Anna Kaiser's celebrity clients and their amazing bodies:

More in lifestyle:
What makes a healthy diet?
9 reasons yoga is perfect for weight loss
Learn how to enjoy running